We found that the best time to explore Hoi An’s UNESCO World Heritage old town is in the evening period, just before sun set.
The weather in September at Hoi An is warm and very humid. Although the temperature may show as about 32 degrees C, it felt more like 40 degrees C during the day when we visited. It was good that we stayed in a guesthouse near to the old town. When the weather got too warm or we just felt tired, we walked back to the Tea Garden Homestay for a little rest before coming out again in the evening.
As the day gets cooler, the town comes alive as the locals and tourists come out to play and flocked to the riverside. The ancient town and Thu Bon river side area is even more beautiful at night when the lanterns are lit.
Hoi An is famous for its hand-made lanterns, which adorn all the main streets in the Ancient Town.
Colourful flowers also adorned the streets of Hoi An’s ancient town.
We stayed 4 nights in Hoi An and we spent each night around the river-side area. There are plenty of photo opportunities in the historic old town of Hoi An. The best times for photography are during the hour just before and just after sunset.
Here are some of the best things to do in Hoi An during the evenings and nights.
Enjoy the views of the river and take boat rides on the river in the evening
River is full of boats giving rides to tourists in the evening.
A popular activity for couples and families is a boat ride on the Thu Bon river during the evening. There are many vendors canvassing for business by the banks on the river. The boat ride may include the releasing of floating candles on lotus flower shaped cardboard holders down the river.
Many old women are making a living selling fruits, food and floating candles around the Hoi An riverside.
Vendors also sell floating candles to tourists who could release them from the banks of the river using long poles with a plastic carrier.
You are to make a wish before releasing the floating candles and the wish should come true.
My wish was to stop polluting the earth, so we forego this activity. Hope my wish would still come true.
Visit the Night Market
The night market is located across the crowded bridge over the river.
The night market is easy to find. Right at the entrance to the night market, there are many different stores selling lanterns. Crowds gathered here to snap photos of the incredibly beautiful lanterns. On most nights, we could see local couples getting their wedding photos taken with these lanterns, with the blessings of the store keepers.
Beautiful handmade paper lanterns for sale in Hoi An.
Although it is not immediately obvious, the night market is actually on an island and the 300-meter street runs from the river to the other end of the island. There are many roadside stalls on both sides of this street offering local street food, handicrafts, souvenirs, clothing and accessories for mobile phones, humans and home.
Like most nights markets in South East Asia, bargaining skills are needed to secure a reasonable good deal where both the seller and buyer are happy with the transaction.
We stopped by a craft stall to observe a young girl write words (such as names) on tiny grains of rice. The tiny grain, with engraved name, is then inserted into small glass trinket that could be made into a necklace or bracelet. Three of my young nieces would be receiving these as gifts after my trip.
Go eat, shop and drink - check out the stores in the old town
There are many stores (not roadside stalls) that sell higher quality goods and clothing. Most of these stores are also opened at night.
Shopping in Hoi An ancient town.
Intersperse with these stores are cafes, restaurants and pubs that made ideal pit stops on a night out.
Massage and Spa
The spa by the riverside where we did our leg and foot massage.
An hour of leg and feet massage was especially good after a day of exploring Hoi An on foot. There are many such spas offering massage services around town at reasonable prices.
Enjoy dinner at a restaurant by the river
On one of the cooler nights, after a day of rain, we decided to have dinner in one of the restaurants by the river. Reservations are recommended. We went to a few restaurants without prior reservations and could not get a table with views of the river.
We managed to get a table by the river at the Copper Pot Restaurant & Bar. We were quite impressed with the delicious food and good service.
Our happy hour cocktails, followed by delicious main courses of Vietnamese food and plenty of people watching.
Mango on Sticky Rice is my favourite Thai dessert. This is deliciously done in Vietnam as well, with roasted sesame seeds sprinkled on top.
A happy hour cocktail, followed by delicious main course, dessert and plenty of people watching was a good way to spend the evening.
Alternatively, have dinner at the Morning Glory Restaurant. This is one of the best restaurants in Hoi An. The food is so good that we had dinner there twice during our four days at Hoi An.
Enjoy the local events and festivals
Giant lanterns in the forms of animals are displayed along the banks of the river in Hoi An.
Festivals take place in Hoi An according to the lunar calendar. The Mid-Autumn Festival is celebrated on 1 to 4th October (on the 15th day of the 8th Month in the Lunar Calendar). Since we visited Hoi An in late September, we were a little early. Despite that, we managed to witness some of the celebrations which started early. Groups of children went around the old town, performing lion dances. The sound of drum beats and sounds of excited children filled the air. There were a few dance troupes performing or practising on the streets.
One of the group of kids performing lion dances outside the Copper Pot Restaurant where we had our dinner.
This young lion dancer is perched on top a pole. I was pleasantly surprised when it started spewing sparklers from its mouth.
The “lion” would also go into shops, start dancing as a blessing of luck and fortune. Some shop keepers will reward the lion dancers with red packets filled with money for good luck.
Enjoy the sights of the lanterns-lit ancient town
It would be even more dramatic for visitors during the Full Moon Festival, held on the 15th day of the every lunar month. On this night, the town switches off all electricity, to be lit up only by multi-coloured paper lanterns and flickering candles.
You don’t have to visit during a festival to enjoy the beautiful sights of the lantern-lit streets and alleys of the old town.
One of Vietnam's most iconic attractions, Hoi An's Japanese covered bridge which dates back to the 18th century. Lit at night, it is a beautiful historical piece of Japanese architecture.
The streets of the ancient town are perfect for walking. No motorised vehicles are permitted. It could get pretty crowded with foot traffic and the occasional cyclos and bicycles.
Further away from the central and night market area, one could enjoy the slightly quieter side of Hoi An in the evening, without the hordes of tourists.
River boats at the pier next to the Central Market at night.
For personal safety, we did not wander too far away from the touristy area at night.
We spent 4 nights exploring the lantern-lit streets, eateries, night market and stores in this old town. And each night, we enjoyed something that is different in this quaint old town.
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