HomeAsiaSoutheast AsiaVietnamHoi An Hoi An, Vietnam: Ancient Town Bicycle Tour & Sunset along the Riverside By Marcos Detourista on November 11, 2015. IN PHOTOS: Marcos Detourist goes on a bicycle tour around Hoi An Ancient Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Central Vietnam. A bottle of Saigon beer at a restaurant-bar along the riverside in Hoi An Ancient Town, Quang Nam Province, VietnamSaigon Beer at Hoi An Riverside at NightLocal seller resting along the sidewalk in Hoi An Ancient Town, Quang Nam Province, VietnamLocal seller resting along the sidewalkLocals and tourists walking along the street during the late afternoon in Hoi An Ancient Town, Quang Nam Province, VietnamLocals and tourists walking along the street during the late aftLong shadows, at sunset, in Hoi An Ancient Town, Quang Nam Province, VietnamLong shadows, at sunset, in Hoi AnLong shadows, at sunset, in Hoi An Ancient Town, Quang Nam Province, VietnamLong shadows at sunsetYellow Old French-colonial building on a corner in Hoi An Ancient Town, Quang Nam Province, VietnamYellow Old French-colonial building on a cornerBoutique and Wine Shop in an Old French-colonial building in Hoi An Ancient Town, Quang Nam Province, VietnamBoutique and Wine Shop in an Old French-colonial buildingArt Gallery in a 2-storey Wooden Building in Hoi An Ancient Town, Quang Nam Province, VietnamArt Gallery in a 2-storey Wooden BuildingSunset peeking through the tree shade in Hoi An Ancient Town, Quang Nam Province, VietnamSunset peeking through the tree shadeCozy restaurant in an Old French-colonial Building in Hoi An Ancient Town, Quang Nam Province, VietnamCozy restaurant in an Old French-colonial Building in Hoi AnChua Ong Temple in Hoi An Ancient Town, Quang Nam Province, VietnamChua Ong Temple, Hoi AnHeritage building in Hoi An Ancient Town, Quang Nam Province, VietnamHeritage Building in Hoi AnPond and Column at the Temple of Confucius in Hoi An Ancient Town, Quang Nam Province, VietnamPond and Column at the Temple of Confucius in Hoi AnTemple of Confucius in Hoi An Ancient Town, Quang Nam Province, VietnamTemple of Confucius in Hoi AnPark in Hoi An Ancient Town, Quang Nam Province, VietnamPark in Hoi An Ancient TownDuong Thuong (Trung Hoa) Assembly Hall in Hoi An Ancient Town, Quang Nam Province, VietnamDuong Thuong (Trung Hoa) Assembly HallShrine at Minh Huong Ancestor Worship House in Hoi An Ancient Town, Quang Nam Province, VietnamShrine at Minh Huong Ancestor Worship HouseMain courtyard at Minh Huong Ancestor Worship House in Hoi An Ancient Town, Quang Nam Province, VietnamMain courtyard at Minh Huong Ancestor Worship HouseMinh Huong Ancestor Worship House in Hoi An Ancient Town, Quang Nam Province, VietnamMinh Huong Ancestor Worship House, Hoi AnEntrance gate of Minh Huong Ancestor Worship House in Hoi An Ancient Town, Quang Nam Province, VietnamEntrance gate of Minh Huong Ancestor Worship HouseInner gate at Fujian (Phuoc Kien) Assembly Hall in Hoi An Ancient Town, Quang Nam Province, VietnamInner gate at Fujian (Phuoc Kien) Assembly HallEntrance gate of Fujian (Phuoc Kien) Assembly Hall in Hoi An Ancient Town, Quang Nam Province, VietnamEntrance gate of Fujian (Phuoc Kien) Assembly HallTourists on bicycles exploring Hoi An Ancient Town in Quang Nam Province, VietnamTourists on Bicycles Exploring Hoi AnApproaching the entrance of the Japanese Covered Bridge in Hoi An Ancient Town, Quang Nam Province, VietnamApproaching the Japanese Covered BridgePassing inside the Japanese Covered Bridge in Hoi An Ancient Town, Quang Nam Province, VietnamInside the Japanese Covered BridgeInside the Japanese Covered Bridge in Hoi An Ancient Town, Quang Nam Province, VietnamInside the Japanese Covered BridgeSmall temple inside the Japanese Covered Bridge in Hoi An Ancient Town, Quang Nam Province, VietnamSmall temple inside the Japanese Covered BridgeSide view of the Japanese Covered Bridge in Hoi An Ancient Town, Quang Nam Province, VietnamSide view of the Japanese Covered BridgeMarcos with Old boats and shophouses along the Thu Bon River in Hoi An Ancient Town, Quang Nam Province, VietnamHoi An Ancient TownLocals selling fruits at the riverside in Hoi An Ancient Town, Quang Nam Province, VietnamFruit Sellers at Hoi An RiversideThree Vietnamese locals sitting on a bench, a public art sculpture at the riverside in Hoi An Ancient Town, Quang Nam Province, VietnamPublic Art Sculpture at Hoi An RiversideCooling down with a coffee shake at the riverside in Hoi An Ancient Town, Quang Nam Province, VietnamCoffee shake at Hoi An RiversideCom Ga (Rice Chicken), a famous Hoi An local delicacy, in Ba Buoi Restaurant, Hoi An Ancient Town, Quang Nam Province, VietnamCom Ga (Rice Chicken) in Ba Buoi RestaurantCam Pho Temple ground in Hoi An Ancient Town, Quang Nam Province, VietnamCam Pho Temple GroundsTraditional Arts Performance House in Hoi An Ancient Town, Quang Nam Province, VietnamTraditional Arts Performance House, Hoi AnInteriors of Ba Buoi, a famous restaurant that serves Com Ga (Rice Chicken) in Hoi An Ancient Town, Quang Nam Province, VietnamInside Ba Buoi RestaurantFront view of Quang Trieu (Cantonese) Assembly Hall in Hoi An Ancient Town, Quang Nam, VietnamFront view of Quang Trieu (Cantonese) Assembly HallMain courtyard at Quang Trieu (Cantonese) Assembly Hall, in Hoi An Ancient Town, Quang Nam, VietnamQuang Trieu (Cantonese) Assembly HallDragon Statue at Quang Trieu (Cantonese) Assembly Hall in Hoi An Ancient Town, Quang Nam, VietnamDragon Statue at Cantonese Assembly Hall (Quang Trieu)Main shrine at the Cantonese Assembly Hall (Quang Trieu) in Hoi An Ancient Town, Quang Nam Province, VietnamMain shrine at the Cantonese Assembly Hall (Quang Trieu)Dragons in a pond at Quang Trieu (Cantonese) Assembly Hall in Hoi An Ancient Town, Quang Nam, VietnamDragons in a pond at Quang Trieu (Cantonese) Assembly HallOld House of Tan Ky in Hoi An Ancient Town, Quang Nam Province, VietnamFront View of Tan Ky Old HouseWooden interiors of Tan Ky Old House in Hoi An Ancient Town, Quang Nam Province, VietnamWooden interiors of Tan Ky Old HouseWodden support pillars and ceiling at Tan Ky Old House in Hoi An Ancient Town, Quang Nam Province, VietnamWodden support pillars and ceiling at Tan Ky Old HouseChinese Characters formed by birds made of Mother of Pearls in Old House of Tan Ky in Hoi An Ancient Town, Quang Nam Province, VietnamMother of Pearls Birds on support pillarsMuseum of Folklore Facade housed in a 150-year old 2-storey wooden house, the biggest surviving heritage structure in Hoi An Ancient Town, Quang Nam Province, VietnamMuseum of Folklore Facade housed in a 150-year old 2-storey woodTraditional Vietnamese clothing at the Museum of Folklore in Ancient Town, Quang Nam Province, VietnamTraditional Vietnamese ClothingTraditional Vietnamese wooden boat at the Museum of Folklore in Ancient Town, Quang Nam Province, VietnamTraditional Vietnamese Wooden BoatVietnamese Traditional Farming Tools at the Museum of Folklore in Ancient Town, Quang Nam Province, VietnamTraditional Vietnamese Farming ToolsCourtyard inside the Museum of Folklore in Hoi An Ancient Town, Quang Nam Province, VietnamCourtyard inside the Museum of FolkloreCourtyard inside the Museum of Folklore in Hoi An Ancient Town, Quang Nam Province, VietnamCourtyard inside the Museum of Folklore Hoi AnGreeneries at the Courtyard inside the Museum of Folklore in Hoi An Ancient Town, Quang Nam Province, VietnamGreeneries at the Courtyard inside the Museum of FolkloreTraditional roof at Hoi An Museum of Folklore in Ancient Town, Quang Nam Province, VietnamTraditional roof at Hoi An Museum of FolkloreView of Hoi An Riverside from the Museum of Folklore in Hoi An Ancient Town, Quang Nam Province, VietnamView of Hoi An Riverside from the Museum of FolkloreSun-dried goods along the street in Hoi An Ancient Town, Quang Nam Province, VietnamSun-dried goods along the street in Hoi AnLocal seller passes by Duc An Old House in Hoi An Ancient Town, Quang Nam Province, VietnamLocal seller passes by Duc An Old HouseVietnamese lady selling to local shop owner in Hoi An Ancient Town, Quang Nam Province, VietnamVietnamese lady selling to local shop owner in Hoi AnFood stalls inside the central market in Hoi An Ancient Town, Quang Nam Province, VietnamFood stalls inside Hoi An Central MarketFace-shaped roots and souvenir shops along a narrow alleyway in Hoi An Ancient Town, Quang Nam Province, VietnamFace-shaped roots and souvenir shops along a narrow alleywaySmiling faces made from tree roots, a souvenir, hung along the alleyway in Hoi An Ancient Town, Quang Nam Province, VietnamSmiling Faces Souvenir Made from Tree RootsJapanese Covered Bridge under the sunset twilight in Hoi An, Quang Nam, VietnamJapanese Covered Bridge at SunsetColorful and Brightly Lit Paper Lanterns in Hoi An Ancient Town, Quang Nam Province, VietnamColorful and Brightly Lit Paper Lanterns in Hoi AnLocal craftsman surrounded by colorful lanterns, at night, in Hoi An Ancient Town, Quang Nam Province, VietnamLocal Craftsman Surrounded by Colorful Lanterns at NightDusk view along the riverside in Hoi An Ancient Town, Quang Nam Province, VietnamHoi An Riverside at DuskMarcos enjoying the dusk view along the riverside in Hoi An Ancient Town, Quang Nam Province, VietnamMarcos Enjoying the View at Hoi An RiversideCorful and well lit shophouses along the riverside in Hoi An Ancient Town, Quang Nam Province, VietnamColorfully Lit Shophouses at Hoi An at DuskMarcos at the riverside in Hoi An Ancient Town, Quang Nam Province, VietnamMarcos at Hoi An Riverside, at Dusk Hoi An Ancient Town in Central Vietnam is a well-preserved old-world trading port included in UNESCO’s list of World Heritage sites along with Vigan (Philippines), Melaka (Malaysia), and Georgetown (Malaysia). It is one of the country’s most atmospheric towns and a must-visit for heritage lovers. Here, you can enjoy strolling along narrow streets and the Thu Bon riverside lined with charming French-colonial buildings, traditional wooden houses influenced by Chinese and Japanese architecture, and fill your stomach with delicious Hoi An / Vietnamese local dishes. I found myself in Hoi An after a short local bus ride from Da Nang. I spent most of the day exploring the old temples, meeting halls, houses, and museums in town on a cheap rented bicycle and on foot. Initially, I planned on staying, only for a few hours, since Hoi An was very compact, and could easily be explored in as short as half a day. I ended up staying until nighttime to experience the sunset along the riverside. It was indeed magical to see the old town bathe in the soft hues of the dusk twilight, and I’m glad that I did not miss it. Detourista Notes I’ll be writing more about my experience and travel tips in Hoi An, Vietnam on future updates. In the meantime, here are some quick notes you might find useful if you plan on going. Local Bus from Da Nang — If you’re on a short visit in Hoi An-Danang and you’re interested in heritage sites, I suggest staying (or at least spending one night) in Hoi An instead of Da Nang. From what I’ve been told before going, Hoi An is very touristy and a bit expensive. It can be a bit touristy, but you will not mind it too much if you’re only staying for a night or two. Also, there are plenty of cheap options around if you walk away from the touristy areas. Plus, you’d be able to join a sunrise tour to My Son. Local bus tips are posted on the Da Nang gallery. Hoi An DIY Bicycle Tour — Hoi An’s heritage core is off limits to vehicles, which makes it perfect to explore the town on foot or by bicycle. Cheap bicycle rentals are offered by most hostels and guesthouses for around $1 a day. Hoi An Ancient Town Visitor Pass — All tourists are required to purchase an entrance ticket to visit the heritage core. It costs 120,000 VND per ticket for international visitors and 80,000 VND per ticket for domestic visitors. The ticket is valid for the whole duration of your stay, but only allows entry to 5 (of a total of 21) sites. If you’ve visited 5 sites already, you can still freely roam around the town streets, but you have to buy an additional ticket if you want to go inside more houses, museums, temples, or meeting halls. Here are 5 sites that I recommend you check out: Japanese Covered Bridge, Quang Trieu (Cantonese Assembly Hall), Museum of Folklore, Old House of Tan Ky, & Phuoc Kien (Fujian Assembly Hall). There are many checkpoints around town, even the minor streets and alleyways, which make it hard to get in without a ticket. Local Food in Hoi An — I didn’t have enough time to explore the food options in town, but I was able to eat delicious Com Ga (Rice Chicken) at Ba Buoi Restaurant. You may find more variety of local food at Hoi An Central Market. Where to Stay in Hoi An — There are many hotels and hostel surrounding the heritage core and resorts at nearby Cua Dai Beach. You can find a wide variety of options at Booking.com or Agoda. Previous Destination — Da Nang. Next Destination — Hue. You may visit my 2-week trip in Central and Northern Vietnam series page, the Vietnam page to check for new posts, or follow Marcos Detourist Facebook page for updates. Don’t leave yet. There’s more! 15 Places to Visit in Hoi An + Things To Do15 Things to do in Vietnam + Tourist Spots Discover more blogs and travel tips in: Hoi An VietnamSoutheast AsiaAsia See all places Find more posts about:TemplesHeritage SitesUNESCO World Heritage SitesFood Leave a Reply Cancel replyYour email address will not be published. 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