1. Location and operating hours of Hoi An walking street

Hoi An walking street is located in the central area of the Ancient Town (Phố Cổ) - the heart of this centuries-old historic city. This area includes the main streets:

• Tran Phu Street (Đường Trần Phú): The longest main street, where many ancient houses, assembly halls, and souvenir shops are concentrated
• Nguyen Thai Hoc Street (Phố Nguyễn Thái Học): A quiet street with classic cafes and handicraft workshops
• Bach Dang Street (Đường Bạch Đằng): Running along the Hoai River (sông Hoài), an ideal place for sightseeing and releasing flower lanterns
• Nguyen Phuc Chu Street (Phố Nguyễn Phúc Chu): An area with food and shopping establishments
• Small alleys: A network of small lanes throughout the ancient quarter, hiding many interesting surprises

Daily operating schedule:

• 3:00 PM - 9:30 PM: Summer hours
• 3:00 PM - 9:00 PM: Winter hours

Activity area:

From the intersection of Hoang Dieu - Phan Chau Trinh streets to the intersection of Cao Hong Lanh - Phan Chau Trinh streets.

How to get to Hoi An walking street

From Da Nang Airport:

• Taxi: 45-60 minutes, cost 400,000 - 600,000 VND
• Hotel shuttle service: 300,000 - 500,000 VND

From Da Nang city center:

• Taxi: From 350,000 VND - 700,000 VND/one way
• Bus: Bus route number 1 from Da Nang to Hoi An, operating since 2015, costs 30,000 VND for the entire route.

2. Unmissable experiences at Hoi An walking street

Admiring the ancient town at night illuminated by lantern lights

Hoi An lanterns, meticulously crafted from silk and bamboo in diverse colors: lucky red, prosperous yellow, peaceful blue, create a shimmering and highly symbolic beauty. When night falls, these lights reflect mysteriously on the Hoai River, transforming the ancient town into a poetic space, giving visitors the feeling of strolling in the 17th century among leisurely, peaceful crowds.

Best photo spots:

• Japanese Covered Bridge (Chùa Cầu Nhật Bản) with lanterns in the background
• Along the Hoai River when lights reflect on the water
• Small alleys with warm yellow lighting
• High-floor cafes overlooking the ancient town

Lanterns decorated along Hoi An streets bring unique beauty (Source: Internet)

The golden alleys with authentic Hoi An character

Hoi An captivates not only with its lanterns but also with small alleys painted in characteristic yellow, creating beautiful photo backgrounds. Along with this is the ancient architecture of traditional wooden houses with Yin-Yang tile roofs, clearly expressing the culture and history of Hoi An town.

These alleys are not just tourist attractions, but also where the authentic daily life of local people takes place, giving visitors deeper insights into everyday life here. Therefore, they have become virtual living corners beloved by young people and tourists, an unmissable check-in point when coming to Hoi An.

The characteristic yellow-painted alleys of Hoi An (Source: Internet)

Releasing flower lanterns on the Hoai River

The experience of releasing flower lanterns on the Hoai River is one of the unmissable activities when visiting Hoi An, carrying deep cultural and spiritual values.

In terms of cultural significance, this act is primarily to pray for peace, sending good wishes for health and luck for oneself and family. It also represents a spiritual aspect when people believe that releasing lanterns is a way to express gratitude and send sincere prayers to spiritual beings. This is also part of the beautiful Vietnamese tradition, passed down through generations, contributing to the unique charm of Hoi An Ancient Town.

Detailed information:

• Price: 10,000-30,000 VND/flower lantern
• Time: Most beautiful from 7:00 PM-9:00 PM
• Location: Along the Hoai River bank, Japanese Covered Bridge area
• Note: Should release from steps down to the river, not throw from bridges

Releasing flower lanterns - an unmissable experience when visiting Hoi An (Source: Internet)

Folk art performances

Hoi An walking street serves as a natural stage for traditional art activities:

Performance types:

• Hoi An boat songs (Hò khoan Hội An): Characteristic folk music with melodious tunes
• Bai choi singing (Hát bài chòi): Central Vietnam traditional art honored by UNESCO
• Lion dance (Múa lân): Performances during festivals and Tet holidays
• Traditional musical instruments: Dan bau, dan tranh, bamboo flute in the ancient setting

Cultural and artistic performance programs are regularly organized (Source: Internet)

Checking in at unique cafes

Hoi An has many cafes with unique architecture and beautiful views:

Some famous cafes:

• Moments Hoi An -- 47 Le Loi (Lê Lợi): A standout cafe with wooden columns and the characteristic "From Hoi An with love" sign, easily creating trendy photo styles.
• Faifo Coffee - 130 Tran Phu (Trần Phú): Panoramic view of the ancient town from the high floor.
• Cocobox - 94 Le Loi (Lê Lợi): Vintage space in a 100-year-old ancient house

Cafes with authentic Hoi An character are check-in points beloved by young people (Source: Internet)

3. Exploring cultural heritage and ancient town architecture

Tan Ky Ancient House (Nhà Cổ Tấn Ký)

Location: 101 Nguyen Thai Hoc (Nguyễn Thái Học)

History: Built in the late 18th century, one of the most completely preserved ancient houses

Architectural features: Tan Ky Ancient House, built in 1741, is a "living museum" over 200 years old in Hoi An. The house's architecture is a unique intersection between Vietnamese, Japanese, and Chinese styles with precious wood structures using no nails, and a skylight system for natural lighting and ventilation. This tube house still preserves many valuable artifacts, reflecting the life and culture of 7 generations of the Le family, serving as living evidence of Hoi An's bustling trading port history.

Visiting information:

• Ticket price: 120,000 VND (combined ancient town ticket)
• Time: 7:00 AM-9:30 PM daily
• Tour guide: Vietnamese and English

Tan Ky Ancient House carries ancient architectural features (Source: Internet)

Fujian Assembly Hall (Hội Quán Phúc Kiến)

Location: 46 Tran Phu (Trần Phú)

Notable features: Fujian Assembly Hall, or Fujian Temple, is a representative work built by the Fujian community from 1690, initially worshipping Thien Hau Holy Mother. By 1757, the assembly hall underwent major renovation, adorned with traditional Chinese architecture featuring curved tile roofs, elaborate dragon and phoenix carvings, and predominant red colors. The structure includes the majestic Tam Quan gate, spacious courtyard, main hall worshipping Thien Hau Holy Mother and other deities, along with many valuable artifacts.

Visiting details:

• Ticket price: Free, just need to buy ancient town ticket
• Rules: Remove shoes when entering the worship hall, no flash photography
• Best time: Early morning or late afternoon with fewer visitors

Fujian Assembly Hall stands out with traditional architectural features (Source: Internet)

Japanese Covered Bridge (Chùa Cầu Nhật Bản)

Location: Intersection of Tran Phu - Nguyen Thi Minh Khai (Trần Phú - Nguyễn Thị Minh Khai)

Unique features:

The Covered Bridge, also called the Japanese Bridge or Lai Vien Kieu (meaning "Bridge welcoming guests from afar"), is one of the most iconic architectural works of Hoi An Ancient Town. Built around the 17th century by Japanese merchants when they lived and traded busily here, the Covered Bridge is not just a bridge but also a small temple located right on the bridge.

The architecture of the Covered Bridge is a unique harmony between Japanese, Chinese, and Vietnamese styles. The bridge is made of wood with a roof covered with Yin-Yang tiles, arching over a small canal connecting two bustling streets. At both ends of the bridge are wooden statues of monkeys and dogs, believed to represent the birth years of Japanese Emperors when the bridge was built, while also carrying the meaning of guarding and protection. Although called a temple, inside it doesn't worship Buddha but Bac De Tran Vo - the protective deity of the land. The Covered Bridge has undergone many renovations and was recognized as a National Historical-Cultural Relic in 1990, becoming living evidence of Hoi An's trading history and cultural exchange.

Visiting information:

• Ticket price: Included in ancient town ticket 120,000 VND
• Visiting time: 5-10 minutes
• Note: Very crowded, should go early or late

When visiting Hoi An, tourists can visit the Covered Bridge, symbol of the ancient town (Source: Internet)

4. Enjoying street cuisine with authentic Hoi An flavors

Hoi An cao lau

Cao lau is Hoi An's famous specialty noodle dish, attracting visitors with its unique flavor not found anywhere else. The chewy, soft noodles have a characteristic yellow color, usually made from rice soaked in Ba Le well water and ash from melaleuca trees. This dish combines with sliced char siu pork, crispy pork skin, local fresh vegetables, and a rich sauce, creating an unforgettable culinary experience.

Places to enjoy:

• Cao Lau Thanh (26 Thai Phien): From 30,000 VND
• Cao Lau Ba Le (49/3 Tran Hung Dao): 25,000 - 45,000 VND

Cao lau - famous dish in Hoi An (Source: Internet)

Hoi An chicken rice

Hoi An chicken rice is not just a delicious dish but also demonstrates the skill and meticulousness of local people in ingredient preparation. Many famous chicken rice restaurants in Hoi An, such as Ba Buoi Chicken Rice or Ba Nga Chicken Rice, have become familiar destinations for visitors wanting to taste the original flavor of this specialty dish.

Famous addresses:

• Ba Buoi Chicken Rice (22 Phan Chau Trinh Street): From 35,000 VND/serving
• Ba Nga Chicken Rice (8 Phan Chau Trinh): From 35,000 VND/serving

Rich chicken rice with characteristic sauce is Hoi An's specialty (Source: Internet)

Hoi An mot water

Hoi An Mot Water is not just an ordinary refreshing drink but has become a symbol, a distinctive culinary experience when visiting the ancient town. Most famous is the Mot Water shop on Tran Phu Street, near the Covered Bridge, always bustling with tourists and locals.

The special feature of Mot Water lies in its secret herbal blending formula, with natural ingredients like lotus flowers, herbs, cinnamon, licorice... creating a refreshing, mildly sweet flavor with a characteristic slight bitter aftertaste that's very pleasant. Mot Water is usually served in small, lovely cups or bottles, accompanied by a fresh lotus petal or lemon slice, both beautiful and adding flavor.

Address: Mot Hoi An (150 Tran Phu), price from 15,000 VND/cup

Mot water with special herbal flavor (Source: Internet)

Mi quang

The unique feature of Mi Quang lies in its thick, viscous broth (also called nuoc nhun) with little water but very rich flavor, simmered from pork bones, chicken, or fish, shrimp, frog depending on the type. The accompanying ingredients are very diverse: from pork, shrimp, chicken, quail eggs to crab cake, ram cake (fried spring rolls). When eating, Mi Quang cannot lack fresh vegetables like lettuce, baby mustard greens, bean sprouts, herbs, and especially crispy sesame rice paper, creating a wonderful harmony of the senses.

Famous restaurants:

• Mi Quang Di Hat (81 Phan Chu Trinh): From 40,000 VND
• Mi Quang Em Ai (9B Truong Minh Luong): From 45,000 VND

Mi Quang is a dish chosen by many tourists when visiting Hoi An walking street (Source: Internet)

Phuong banh mi

Phuong Banh Mi is dubbed "the world's best banh mi" after praise from the late famous chef Anthony Bourdain. The special feature of Phuong Banh Mi lies in its crispy, butter-scented crust, made from pure wheat flour and French yeast. The diverse filling offers many choices like char siu, grilled meat, pork liver pate, Vietnamese ham, eggs, cheese, combined with fresh vegetables like cucumber, pickled vegetables, basil, cilantro. Especially, the shop's secret sauce is the key factor creating the rich, harmonious, and unforgettable flavor for each banh mi.

Information:

• Address: 2B Phan Chu Trinh
• Price: 20,000 - 70,000 VND/piece
• Time: 6:30 AM - 9:00 PM

Phuong banh mi impresses with its characteristic rich sauce (Source: Internet)

5. Guide to choosing transportation in Hoi An

Walking, the best means: Walking is the most wonderful way to experience Hoi An. This way, you can fully feel every detail of ancient architecture, from moss-covered tile roofs to characteristic yellow walls. Walking provides maximum flexibility, helping you easily weave into charming small alleys, discover attractive roadside eateries, or visit unique handicraft shops.

Walking notes:

• Wear comfortable shoes, avoid high heels
• Walk slowly to feel the atmosphere
• Bring water, especially in summer

Bicycle rental: Renting a bicycle is an excellent choice to explore Hoi An with many outstanding advantages. You can move faster than walking, allowing exploration of areas larger than the ancient town, even reaching nearby traditional craft villages or beaches. This is also a great way to experience Hoi An like a local, immersing in the slow and simple rhythm of life. Moreover, easy parking anywhere is also a great advantage when you want to stop anywhere to admire scenery or enjoy cuisine.

However, to ensure safety, you need to note:

• Always wear a helmet if available.
• Pay attention to other vehicles on the road, especially motorbikes and cars.
• Don't cycle in the rain to avoid slipping and ensure health.
• Rental price: 50,000-120,000 VND/day
• Rental locations: Hotels, bike rental shops

Bicycles are the means chosen by many people to travel in the ancient town (Source: Internet)

Traditional cyclo: Cyclo is an ideal means to relax and sightsee Hoi An at a leisurely pace. Cyclo drivers are usually friendly locals who can share interesting stories about the ancient town. With space suitable for 1-2 people and a roof, cyclo provides a unique experience, helping you fully feel the peaceful beauty of Hoi An.

Reference prices:

• 30-minute tour: 100,000-150,000 VND
• 1-hour tour: 200,000-300,000 VND
• Negotiate before going

6. Notes and tips when exploring Hoi An walking street

• Suitable time: Hoi An is most beautiful during the dry season (February to August), especially on full moon nights when the ancient town is brilliant with lanterns. Avoid the rainy season (September to January).
  
• Visiting time: Prioritize visiting Hoi An walking street early morning or late evening to admire the characteristic beauty of this place and take the most beautiful photos.
  
• Attire: Choose comfortable, polite clothing, especially when visiting temples and assembly halls. Wear low shoes for easy walking.
  
• Environmental protection: Hoi An pays great attention to conservation, so please maintain general hygiene and don't litter.
  

Whether strolling through golden alleys, being mesmerized by the beauty of lantern lights on the Hoai River, enjoying rich Cao Lau, or simply sipping refreshing Mot Water, Hoi An always knows how to touch visitors' hearts. Hoi An walking street is not just a destination, but a journey to discover unique cultural, architectural, and culinary values, making every step on the walking street an unforgettable memory of a vibrant and charming heritage.

If you are planning to explore the ancient beauty of Hoi An walking street, book your flight with Vietnam Airlines for a comfortable and safe journey.

Book Vietnam Airlines tickets to Da Nang here -- the ideal starting point for a memorable Hoi An trip!