Hoi An, Vietnam: 8 Amazing Family Activities and Foods

Hoi An, Vietnam is an amazing destination for families! Hoi An is located in central Vietnam, on the east coast, near Da Nang.

We spent a few days in Hoi An, Vietnam with our 10 month old baby and 3 year old son and had an incredible time.

Here are 8 Activities we did with our family that I’d highly recommend to any tourists that find themselves in beautiful Hoi An, Vietnam:

1. Explore Hoi An Ancient Town

Hoi An Ancient Town is number one on the list for good reason. It’s both historical and lively; well-preserved and brimming with activities and restaurants. We wandered the streets for hours: window-shopping, walking along the canals, and marveling at the architecture.

“It is an exceptionally well-preserved example of a small-scale trading port active the 15th to 19th centuries which traded widely, both with the countries of Southeast and East Asia and with the rest of the world. Its decline in the later 19th century ensured that it has retained its traditional urban tissue to a remarkable degree.

The town reflects a fusion of indigenous and foreign cultures (principally Chinese and Japanese with later European influences) that combined to produce this unique survival.”

UNESCO WHC Website

DO NOT MISS HOI AN ANCIENT TOWN, in both the daylight and evening! The bright lanterns contrasting against the night sky is something very special. Our babe was very intrigued. I’m pretty sure this is also where his first word occurred. After sweating in the Ergo for hours he looked right in my eyes and said (what sounded like) “Mooooooooooommm.” Ha!

2. Enjoy the refreshing juices made on-site

Next on our list is to beat the heat with delicious juices! We’d heard from friends who had visited that the fresh-squeezed juices in Vietnam are a must-try. (Must-drink?). Juice is how they are referred to in Vietnam, but in the USA you’d probably call the lime and lemon juices “lemonade” and “limeade”. Whatever you call them, the fresh tropical fruits make these unforgettable. The high heat and humidity while touring made these especially refreshing. Our toddler loved them, too.

Restaurants offer these fresh drinks, and they are equally delicious bought at small stands along the roads (pictured on the right).

3. Purchase Tailored Clothes & Accessories

Hoi An, Vietnam is well-known for its plethora of tailors & seamstresses. You can get a custom suit or dress made at very reasonable prices– with unique fabrics that are difficult to find elsewhere. You can also buy hand-crafted leather belts, sandals, bags, and shoes. It’s a clothing paradise for creative, fashionable shoppers.

We know families that had wedding dresses/tuxes/suits all custom-designed and tailor-made for the individuals in the wedding party– at a fraction of the cost. Another friend had her daughter measured for a custom-fit satin princess dress-up costume. So fun.

Our Tailor-Made Experience

My husband was fitted for a lighter-weight blue suit to add to his rotation… and the quality has held up well in the past 2 years he’s worn it! I was fitted for a summer dress, and picked out which fabric & pattern I wanted.

Parent Tip: This process is a bit lengthy, so I was very happy to have stickers and snacks in my backpack to keep the kiddos occupied. They were pretty restless by the end of the fittings.

The tailors and seamstresses work around the clock to have a quick turn-around for tourists on a tight schedule.

4. Ride a scooter through town with the locals

Next up, when in Vietnam…do as the Vietnamese do! Cars are not the norm for transportation in Hoi An. Most locals use scooters to get around from day to day. Got kids? Not a problem. We passed so many families hanging on to each other for dear life as they zoomed around town. To our Western Eyes it initially appeared a bit unsafe. We quickly got used to the idea, though, and saw how kids just learn from an early age to hold on tight. The speeds aren’t crazy, and it’s not TONS different than a bike seat, etc.

So after we’d walked to and from every destination and realized that 1) April heat and humidity in Vietnam is NO JOKE 2) It would take us 8 years to cover everything on foot 3) Lack of feasible public transport options with our family…

The scoo-lution:

We rented a scooter from this gentleman pictured below, and had the most amazing time. Our commutes were a fraction of the time and the breeze in our faces saved us! We weren’t drenched in sweat anymore. Or more accurately- our sweat was dried by the breeze giving us the illusion of fresh/ clean skin.

This gave us the chance to explore a bit further out of the “tourist areas” too. I was so happy we did this.

Keeping it Real: This probably isn’t for everyone. I am not a mother that is much of a worrier, and my husband is pretty comfortable on motorized bikes. It was the right combo for Family Scooter Magic. If you aren’t comfortable with this option, bikes & taxis are available too! Talk to your hotel front desk for top transportation recommendations in your specific neighborhood!

Parent Tip: Hold on tight to your kids when navigating streets in Vietnam on foot! There are rarely stoplights, and intersections are kind of a free-for-all. Don’t wait around forever or you’ll never get a “turn.” Just slowly but steadily move into the intersection and marvel how the Red Seas part to avoid collisions.

5. Walk through the Japanese Covered Bridge

This is actually located in the heart of Hoi An Ancient Town, but it’s an attraction in its own right.

I wasn’t aware until we visited that Vietnam was under Chinese rule for 1000 years. Vietnam finally declared independence in the 15th Century, but that wouldn’t last. French occupation of Vietnam began in the 19th Century, and a shorter Japanese rule occurred surprisingly recently (WW2).

Hopefully that gives some context for this bridge, which was built in the early 1700s by Japanese residents living in Hoi An. The residents wanted an efficient way to reach the Chinese quarters across the canal. There are both Chinese and Japanese architectural features & carvings in the wood. Source

This bridge is a visual reminder of the various cultures woven (forcefully, at times) into Vietnam’s rather tumultuous history… but also of the everyday life and relationships that occurred here when Hoi An was a bustling port city.

6. Wait in line for a Banh Mi sandwich

The bahn mi sandwich was not invented until the 1950s, in Saigon (now Ho Chi Minh City in southern Vietnam). The base of the sandwich is a french baguette (a remnant of the French colonial occupation). Baguettes had been in Vietnam (for elite French officers) for quite some time, but local Vietnamese were not allowed to partake– and certainly were not encouraged to change up the French cuisine at all.

Once the French were defeated, locals took it upon themselves to add their own ingredients into the now-affordable baguettes (swapping in veggies instead of more expensive French deli meats & cheeses). HALLELUJAH, the Bahn Mi was born. (The Culture Trip)

Banh Mi sandwiches have become much more common in recent years, so chances are high you’ve had one before!

In present-day Vietam, the meat varies (pork, chicken, beef). Sometimes it’s just veggies and egg, though. What makes this sandwich stand out, in my opinion, is the fresh herbs: cilantro and mint. It’s really so delicious and unique.

We stood in line at the highly-rated Bánh Mì Phượng (pictured left) for a delicious on-the-go family lunch. Our family also stopped at a few small stands along the streets at various points in our trip (pictured right), all with excellent results. You cannot go wrong with that crusty bread, flavorful meat, and aromatic herbs combo. These sandwiches were insanely cheap. About 1 USD per sandwich from a cart like you see above. It was unbelievable.

7. Change scenery with a fresh-garden, farm-based Vietnamese cooking class

Not sponsored! The service, food, and location were excellent so I’m wanting to spread the word.

While planning our trip I stumbled upon this glorious option: Tra Que Garden. Located out in the country a bit, this is a working farm/restaurant combo which offers tours and cooking classes. You eat your food while gazing out at the bright green fields ahead. It’s picturesque and wonderful. From the refreshing welcome drink to the foot massage at the end, this is not a typical day on a farm.

Unfortunately our kiddos were a bit young for the cooking class so we did a farm tour (unclear if this option is still available; I’d ask directly if interested). We went out to the fields with a guide who showed us the different crops. My son got to help dig in the dirt a bit.

If your kids are age 4 or older, I think you could get by doing the cooking class. Kids under age 6 are free for all tours/classes!

The lunch we consumed at this garden restaurant was amongst some of the most delicious food I’ve had. My mouth is watering just thinking about it. Lemongrass chicken curry & rice, fried spring rolls, banana flower salad (fresh mint, shrimp, crazy good), banh xeo (Vietnamese crepes that blew my mind), and fruits that were hand-picked in front of our eyes on property. PASSION FRUIT! MANGO! Can you tell how much I loved everything about our trip here?

8. Cool off at An Bang Beach

Lastly, An Bang is a hop, skip, and a jump away from Hoi An old city. In our case, a scooter-ride away. An Bang Beach is not as structured as other beaches we’ve visited in Southeast Asia (as far as beach equipment and set-up)- but just as beautiful! We parked our scooter right by the water and walked down with locals to dip our feet in the water. Restaurants line the coast that are completely affordable.

The boys loved seeing the water, but be warned: when we visited, the drop-off was steep into the water, and the waves were pretty intense. We just waded in the water, but many other kiddos & families we saw did swim.

More on Vietnam

This list is just scratching the surface. Have you been to Central Vietnam with your family? What did you enjoy doing/seeing/eating? Would you enjoy any of the things on this list? Drop a note in the comments below!

If you’ve enjoyed reading all about Hoi An, you can check out our other family adventures in Vietnam:

Cruise Vietnam’s Ha Long Bay with a Baby & Toddler

Hanoi, Vietnam with a Baby & Toddler