Well hello to you my reader chums! I think about Vietnam all the time, there's something about that country which makes my heart skip a beat. It is packed with the most moreish cuisine, gorgeous scenery and memorable nature scenes, I dream about returning again and again.

 I finally visited Hoi An on my last trip and fell in love with the ancient town. With stunning painted yellow walls, independent shops, quirky food spots and plenty of attractions to see, Hoi An is a must-visit on your trip to Vietnam.

If you're planning a trip to Hoi An, here is my complete guide to what I got up to in 4 days in Hoi An, Vietnam.

Day 1 - Visit the main sights of Hoi An

The Old Town

The Old Town is the heart of Hoi An and what the town is all about, renowned for its ancient look. Mooching around the Old Town is the heart and best thing to do in Hoi An. The town features endless yellow-painted walkways, with charismatic buildings, independent shops and market stalls to roam around. I could spend hours walking around the town and soaking up the gorgeous views and browsing the many handmade items on offer. The scenery is picture-perfect, especially with the bright, colourful river running through it.

Japanese Covered Bridge

Probably one of the most famous sights in the town, it's worth a walk through to see and take a picture. However, be wary, this sight is incredibly busy for all tourists so make sure to come before all the tour groups fill the town. 

Thu Bon River - lanterns at night

The postcard picture of Hoi An is the lanterns, lighting up the river at night. This in itself is a sight you need to witness because it's absolutely precious. It's one of those scenes that'll make your heart swell and give you a moment to just be. This sight is something I waited for years to see and I loved it in so many ways. You can go one step further and hire one of the boats, lighting up your own lantern on the river.

Night market

Markets are my favourite thing to mooch around as I love to eat street food and shop for any little trinkets. Hoi An has markets throughout the day but they continue at night and you can treat yourself to a classic Vietnamese dish or hot dessert.

Day 2 - Experience some of the cultural sights of the town and the tailors 

Precious Heritage Gallery

This had to be one of my favourite attractions I saw in the town, it was an art gallery which featured beautiful photos of many different Vietnamese tribes, across history. I loved the raw and honest photos as well as the history lessons I learned about all the Vietnamese people. It was incredibly interesting and I happily stayed there for ages.

Local market mooching

Hoi An is a hub for independent sellers, art and quirky gifts; it's the place where I bought quite a few of my souvenirs. The markets are by the bucket load as well as shops to discover hidden gems and mementos you can bring home as a gift for yourself or others. From clothing, jewellery, handbags and souvenirs, you can find the suitable item for you.

Art galleries

Speaking of art, you won't be short of art galleries to explore. The colours are endless with the beautiful different types of art, from classic paintings to more abstract pieces. Whether you're looking to admire or shop, art lovers will adore this town in every way.

Visit a tailors 

Getting your clothes tailored in Hoi An is probably the top thing to do and you'll see endless tourists filling the various tailors. The tailors are incredibly popular as they're known for making clothes for a cheap price. It can be hard to choose one as there are so many and you can be ripped off - make sure you're wary due to that. I went to two different tailors, Noon Custom and Bao Diep tailors. I discovered Noon Custom on a whim and Bao Diep was recommended by our hotel.

Phung Hung Ancient House

The ancient houses are renowned in Hoi An and despite their small size, it's a must-have to witness them all and tick off the gorgeous houses from your list. There are a few to pick from but Phung Hung Ancient House was my favourite to explore.

Day 3 - Cycle around the city and a cooking class

Hire a bike and explore

Everyone either rides bikes around Hoi An or they walk, and you can do either. I would recommend, however, hiring a bicycle and spending a morning or afternoon cycling around the town. There's more than meets the eye in the Old Town of Hoi An, including the nearby beach scene. I cycled the bike all the way down to An Bang and the beautiful thing is it doesn't even take too long - and you can spend a while relaxing on the sands.

Coconut Island - cooking class excursion

Cooking classes are a must when you're in Hoi An especially as you travel across Vietnam. Vietnamese cuisine is delicious and intricate and learning how to cook it is a blessing. You can book many cooking courses and excursions from the town and the one we booked from our hotel took us down to Coconut Island. Here, we went for a river tour, learnt about fishing, mooched around the local food market, and then had a cooking class. 

The cooking class was amazing as it ended up only being my partner and me, giving us a more intimate experience with the teacher. We cooked a couple of courses and each was insanely good, and I'd love to do it all over again.

Day 4 - Soak up the last bits of Hoi An

Hoi An is one of those places that leave you wanting more and on your last day, I suggest soaking up your favourite bits. Whether you like exploring the market or love a walk along the river, the last day is your chance to admire the town's beauty for the last time.

I hope you've enjoyed this post. When are you planning to go?

Thank you for reading <3