Vietnam’s romantic and charming central town, Hoi An is a remarkable center of colonial architecture, charming Vietnamese culture, and stunning beaches. Renowned as a tailor town, Hoi An is the place in Vietnam to get custom clothing and artwork prepared, with prices just a fraction of their first-world counterparts. This boutique shopping backbone combined with some of the most stunningly beautiful traditional buildings make Hoi An one of the most charming and popular towns in Vietnam.

If you’re trying to walk off the tourist trail, Hoi An certainly isn’t a recommended destination. Thanks to word of mouth, Hoi An has been transformed from a hidden gem into one of Vietnam’s top tourist destinations, and many guesthouses and hotels offer accommodation within walking distance of the old town. Despite this surge in popularity, the town is still one of the best destinations in Vietnam. It’s popular for a reason, and don’t let the crowds put you off enjoying a weekend in Hoi An.

Easily accessible from both Hue and Da Nang, Hoi An is a major stop for bus tours spanning the country and tourist buses from the major central cities. While there is no railway stop nearby, it’s very simple to stop in Hue and take a bus tour to Hoi An. From there, access to the far north and south of Vietnam is possible from Da Nang International Airport. Flights within Vietnam are cheap, making Hoi An a perfect weekend getaway destination.

What to see:

Enjoy a stroll around the old town, absorbing the interesting combination of colonial architecture and Vietnamese influence. Hoi An, at the center of Vietnam, is infused with a large amount of Chinese culture, and it certainly shows in the design of some of the buildings and pathways. Be sure to observe some of the bridges running through the city center for your fix of Chinese architecture, and spend some time wandering through the thin and intertwining network of city streets.

Hoi An is regarded as one of the best places in South East Asia for tailored clothes and custom artwork. There are hundreds of tailors in Hoi An, each claiming the best quality and the most affordable prices. Need some help working out where to go? Try to avoid the extremes in terms of prices — both the most expensive and the least expensive tailors are rarely worth the price different. A full suit will cost you anywhere from $50-500, with the lower end items typically sacrificing material and construction quality in favor of cheaper materials.

As a guideline, a reasonably high quality suit can be found for around $120. Remember to check multiple shops, return for several fittings, and favor time over rapid speed. You’ll find many tailors within the old town itself, however the more suburban tailors will often offer better value and a more personal level of service. Wherever you go, make sure to arrange multiple fittings and to organize changes before paying the remainder of the clothing’s cost.

Hoi An is slightly inland, but some incredible beaches are accessible from the city. If you can’t find a motorcycle taxi to take you down to the beach, either hire a small scooter or rent a bicycle and make the trip yourself. It’s not quite as stunning as Nha Trang’s six-kilometer beach, but the main beach at Hoi An is very rarely populated and offers some of the best swimming on Vietnam’s central coast.

Where to stay:

There’s no shortage of guesthouses in Hoi An, each offering a similar level of quality and pricing. For $10 you can find a reasonably comfortable room with a ceiling fan and a double bed, though in the summer heat it’s unlikely to keep you comfortable. In the $20-30 price range you’ll be able to find twin rooms with hot water bathrooms, balconies and air conditioning.

One thing you’ll quickly notice in Hoi An is that prices begin to increase dramatically as you get closer to the old town. The town itself is very small — so small that it can easily be navigated on foot — so it’s often better to look for accommodation on the outskirts of the town itself. A room just 10 minutes away from the town center will cost you around half the price of one in the old town itself, so it’s worth looking slightly outwards to find the better prices. With bicycles and motorcycles available for rent, there’s no issue with getting up and about when you’re not in the town center.

How to get around:

Most of Hoi An is small enough to be covered on foot, however those wanting to visit the beach will need to arrange transport in some form. The old town is very small, so small that you can circle it in its entirety in around 10 minutes while walking. It’s pointless to rent a bicycle or motorcycle to explore the town itself, so just walk around the town exploring and enjoying the small streets and walkways.

Further out, motorcycle taxis are around to take you to nearby destinations, and regular taxis are also available. As is usual in Vietnam, it’s wise to negotiate on your fare before taking off on a motorcycle taxi, as you may find yourself paying more than the market price if you take their initial offer. Spend a little time bargaining with the driver, and aim for half of the original price as your fare. Taxis should always use the meter — request that the driver switch it on, and if they refuse simply find another taxi.

Bicycles are available to hire and are very inexpensive. With the beach just 15-20 minutes away from the city they’re a great way to explore the nearby countryside. You’ll find them on the main road near most of the guesthouses and hotels. Some rental agencies may ask for a deposit — don’t leave your passport. Instead, leave a drivers license or arrange to have the bike returned to your hotel.

Costs, Customs and Extras:

Hoi An is best visited during the dry season, and visits in January/February aren’t recommended unless you enjoy being buffeted with torrential rain. The beach can be rough on occasion, so be sure to check the water before you take a swim. Accommodation in Hoi An is slightly more expensive than most of Vietnam, so don’t be surprised when guesthouses quote slightly higher prices than in Hue or Da Nang.