Hoi An Travel 2 Days 1 Night: Affordable Self-Guided Itinerary
Hoi An, the precious gem of Central Vietnam, is a place where time seems to stand still, preserving its ancient and peaceful beauty. Hoi An 2 days 1 night tour offers a short yet fulfilling journey, from the lantern-lit ancient streets, the shimmering Thu Bon River, to the emerald beach and rich flavors of local specialties. Every corner, every basket boat tells a story, stirring the heart. Let's explore the ideal time, travel tips, detailed itinerary, specialties, costs, and notes for a memorable trip to Hoi An!
The best time to travel to Hoi An 2 days 1 night
Hoi An has a tropical monsoon climate, divided into dry season (February to August) and rainy season (September to January). Based on practical experience, the dry season, especially from March to May, is the ideal time to travel to Hoi An for 2 days and 1 night. At this time, the weather is cool, with an average temperature of 25-30°C, clear skies, perfect for strolling the ancient streets, releasing lanterns on the Hoai River, or cycling to Cua Dai Beach. In the evening, the ancient town sparkles with lantern lights, creating an irresistible romantic atmosphere.
April also features the Lantern Festival and cultural activities such as Bai Choi singing, making the ancient town more vibrant. If you want to experience the full moon atmosphere, come on the 14th day of the lunar month, when the ancient town turns off its lights, illuminated only by moonlight and lanterns. Avoid traveling during the rainy season, especially in October-November, as the ancient town may flood and mobility becomes difficult. Always check the weather forecast to plan a safe trip to Hoi An.
From March to May is the ideal time to travel to Hoi An for 2 days and 1 night
To travel to Hoi An for 2 days and 1 night conveniently, choosing the right mode of transportation is crucial. Hoi An is 30 km from Da Nang, 800 km from Hanoi, and 900 km from Ho Chi Minh City. Below is a detailed guide on how to get to and around Hoi An.
Getting to Hoi An
From Hanoi:
Airplane: Fly to Da Nang Airport (30 km from Hoi An) with airlines like Vietnam Airlines, Vietjet Air, Bamboo Airways. Round-trip ticket prices range from 1,500,000 – 3,500,000 VND, flight time is 1h20. From the airport, take a taxi (300,000 VND) or a bus (20,000 VND) to Hoi An, taking about 45 minutes.
Bus: Sleeper buses from Giap Bat or Nuoc Ngam bus stations to Da Nang/Hoi An take 16-18 hours, ticket prices range from 400,000 – 600,000 VND. Reputable bus companies include Hoang Long, Camel Travel.
Train: Take a train to Da Nang station, ticket prices range from 300,000 – 1,200,000 VND, taking 15-17 hours. After that, take a taxi or bus to Hoi An.
From Ho Chi Minh City:
Airplane: Fly to Da Nang Airport, round-trip ticket prices range from 1,000,000 – 2,500,000 VND, flight time is 1h15. Travel from the airport to Hoi An as mentioned above.
Bus: Sleeper buses from Eastern Bus Station to Hoi An take 18-20 hours, ticket prices range from 350,000 – 550,000 VND. Phuong Trang and Minh Duc are popular choices.
Motorbike: The route from Ho Chi Minh City – QL1A – Hoi An is 900 km long, taking 2-3 days, suitable for backpackers. Make sure to check the bike and rest adequately.
From Da Nang:
Taxi/ride-hailing: Prices range from 250,000 – 350,000 VND/trip, taking about 45 minutes.
Bus: The Da Nang – Hoi An route operates from 5:30 AM to 6:00 PM, costing 20,000 VND/person, taking 1 hour.
Motorbike: Rent a motorbike in Da Nang (100,000 VND/day) and ride along QL1A, a beautiful coastal route, taking 40 minutes.
Getting around in Hoi An
To explore tourist attractions in Hoi An freely, renting a bicycle (30,000 VND/day) is a great way to stroll through the ancient town, Tra Que vegetable village, or Cua Dai beach. A motorbike (100,000-150,000 VND/day) is suitable for distant spots like Bay Mau coconut forest.
In the ancient town, walking is the best option as the area is closed to motor vehicles from 3 PM to 9 PM. Taxis (Mai Linh, Vinasun) or ride-hailing (Grab) are convenient for longer distances, priced from 10,000 VND/km. Boating on the Hoai River (50,000 VND/person) is a romantic experience, especially in the evening.
Based on practical experience, here is a balanced itinerary for a 2-day, 1-night trip to Hoi An that includes exploring the ancient town, nature, culture, and relaxation.
Day 1: Hoi An Ancient Town and Culture
6:00 AM – 8:00 AM: Arrive in Hoi An, check in at a homestay like An Bang Beach Hideaway or Vinh Hung Heritage Hotel (prices from 300,000 VND/night). Have breakfast with cao lau at Quan Ba Mu (46 Tran Phu), priced from 40,000 VND/portion.
8:30 AM – 11:30 AM: Visit Hoi An Ancient Town, walk through Tran Phu and Nguyen Thai Hoc streets. Stop by the Japanese Covered Bridge, Tan Ky Ancient House, Phuc Kien Assembly Hall (ticket 120,000 VND, visit 5 sites). Take photos with the yellow walls and vibrant lanterns.
12:00 PM – 1:30 PM: Have lunch at Quan Huong Que (3 Le Loi) with Quang noodles, bao – banh vac, priced from 50,000 VND/portion.
2:00 PM – 5:00 PM: Rent a bicycle to Tra Que vegetable village (3 km), experience farming, watering vegetables, and take photos in the green garden (price 100,000 VND/person). On the way back, visit Thanh Ha Pottery Village (ticket 30,000 VND), try your hand at pottery on the wheel.
6:30 PM – 9:00 PM: Have dinner at Be Nha Luc Tinh Restaurant (48 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai) with Hoi An chicken rice, priced from 80,000 VND/portion. Stroll through the ancient town in the evening, release lanterns on the Hoai River (10,000 VND/lantern), and take a boat ride to admire the lanterns (50,000 VND/person).
Explore Hoi An Ancient Town and savor every moment
Day 2: Nature and Beaches of Hoi An
6:00 AM – 7:00 AM: Have breakfast with banh mi Phuong at Banh Mi Phuong (2B Phan Chau Trinh), priced from 30,000 VND/roll.
7:30 AM – 11:30 AM: Rent a motorbike to An Bang Beach (4 km), swim, and relax on the fine sand. Stop by Soul Kitchen for cocktails and beach views, priced from 100,000 VND/glass. Continue to Bay Mau Coconut Forest (3 km), paddle a basket boat through the green coconut grove (150,000 VND/boat for 2-3 people).
12:00 PM – 1:30 PM: Have lunch at A Roi Seafood Restaurant (Cua Dai beach) with grilled shrimp, steamed squid, priced from 120,000 VND/portion.
2:00 PM – 4:00 PM: Visit Kim Bong Carpentry Village (boat across Thu Bon River, 20,000 VND/person). Learn about wood carving and take photos with exquisite handicraft products.
4:30 PM – 6:00 PM: Return to the ancient town, buy souvenirs like lanterns and pottery at Hoi An Market. Prices from 50,000 VND/product.
6:30 PM: End the 2 days 1 night trip to Hoi An, take a vehicle back to the starting point.
Famous specialties of Hoi An
Cuisine is the soul of the 2-day 1-night trip to Hoi An. Here are some must-try specialties:
Cao lau: Chewy noodles, pork, fresh vegetables, priced from 40,000 VND/portion.
Mi Quang: Soft rice noodles, rich broth, shrimp, chicken, prices from 50,000 VND/portion.
Banh bao – banh vac: Dumplings with shrimp and pork filling, served with spicy fish sauce, prices from 40,000 VND/portion.
Com ga Hoi An: Shredded chicken, fragrant sticky rice, prices from 50,000 VND/portion.
Banh mi Phuong: Diverse fillings in bread, prices from 30,000 VND/roll.
Che bap Hoi An: Sweet corn dessert, fragrant with corn, prices from 15,000 VND/glass.
Cao lau, a must-try dish when visiting here.
Notes for a 2-day 1-night trip in Hoi An.
To ensure a smooth 2-day 1-night trip to Hoi An, please note:
Time: Stroll the ancient town in the evening (6 PM - 9 PM) to admire the lanterns and release flower lanterns. Visit the beach early in the morning to avoid the harsh sun.
Clothing: Dress comfortably and politely when entering old houses and assembly halls. Wear sports shoes for walking.
Book in advance: Reserve homestays/hotels and flight tickets early, especially during peak season (March - May).
Safety: Keep your belongings secure in crowded areas. Do not litter in the Hoai River.
Cash: Bring small bills for tickets and dining at small eateries that do not accept cards.
A 2-day 1-night trip to Hoi An takes you through shimmering ancient streets, a river sparkling with flower lanterns, and a jade green beach. From the rich flavor of cao lau, the sound of waves at An Bang beach to the friendly smiles of the locals, Hoi An leaves an unforgettable impression. Quickly contact nvktravel.com to plan, grab your backpack and explore the destination travel to Hoi An today!
