2 Days in Hoi An: First-Timer Plan
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Two days covers the essential Hoi An: the Ancient Town’s lantern-lit streets and a tailor fitting on day one, an early My Son sunrise tour and An Bang Beach on day two. For more time, the 3-day plan adds Tra Que village and a basket-boat ride; longer plans through 7 days add Da Nang, Hue, and Cu Lao Cham island.
Book these before you go
- A My Son sunrise tour : book the early slot, it sells out first
- A Hoi An cooking class : easiest to fit in on arrival evening
- Your first night’s hotel : book ahead, especially Sep-Nov flood season
- A tailor measurement slot on day one, so there’s time for at least one fitting before you leave
This 2-day plan, at a glance
| Day | Focus |
|---|---|
| 1 | Ancient Town heritage walk, a tailor measurement, a lantern evening |
| 2 | My Son sunrise tour, tailor pickup, An Bang Beach, departure |
Day 1: The Ancient Town
Land at Da Nang International Airport and take a Grab (roughly 250,000-350,000 VND, 30-45 minutes) into Hoi An, refuse any tout quote above that. Check in, then head straight into the Ancient Town , a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1999: the Japanese Covered Bridge (Chua Cau), one or two assembly halls like Phuc Kien, and a merchant house such as Tan Ky. Walking the streets is free; the roughly 120,000 VND coupon booklet (verify current price) only matters if you want inside the sites. Have lunch at a cao lau shop, then get measured at a tailor, order a single test item first and pay a modest deposit, so there’s time for a fitting tomorrow. In the evening, join the lantern-lit streets and send a floating candle lantern down the Thu Bon before dinner, banh mi from Banh Mi Phuong or Madam Khanh both work.
Day 2: My Son, a tailor pickup, and the beach
Leave early for My Son Sanctuary , a separate UNESCO listing about 40km and an hour away, Cham Hindu ruins partly destroyed by bombing in August 1969, best seen before the heat and tour buses arrive. Back in town by early afternoon, collect your tailor order and get a final fitting, then head to An Bang Beach for a couple of relaxed hours before your flight or onward travel. Depart via Da Nang Airport, roughly 30-45 minutes from town.
One concrete tip: book the My Son sunrise tour the moment your dates are fixed. It’s the one piece of this itinerary that genuinely doesn’t work if you sleep in, the ruins are far less pleasant, and far more crowded, by mid-morning.