Hoi An Is Among The World’s Best Destinations For Solo Travel
	Introduce Hoi An Ancient Town Local Culture to Japanese people

According to the annual World's Best Awards announced in July by the American travel magazine Travel + Leisure, Hoi An ranks 4th among the 25 most beautiful cities in the world in 2024, scoring 90.67 out of 100. Hoi An also ranks 3rd among the 25 most beautiful cities in Asia.

This year's awards garnered over 700,000 votes from experts and travelers worldwide.

Nguyen Tien Dat, CEO of AZA Travel, believes that despite its small size and lack of large structures, Hoi An's strength lies in its blend of traditional Vietnamese charm with Japanese, Chinese, Spanish, and Portuguese influences. This character is reflected in the core of the ancient town, which UNESCO recognized as a World Heritage Site in 1999.

Hoi An features not only the sea but also rivers, rice fields, lantern-lit boats, and live-action shows. A popular activity among international tourists, especially those booking tours with Dat's company, is releasing flower lanterns on the river.

Travelers can visit handicraft shops, relax on beaches, and enjoy dishes like the thick noodle soup cao lau and chicken rice. They can also experience local life by farming for a day, taking cooking classes, visiting rice field cafes, or exploring the Bay Mau coconut forest by basket boat. The town's small size makes it easy to get around.

Travelers can visit handicraft shops, relax on beaches, and enjoy dishes like the thick noodle soup cao lau and chicken rice. Photo: VInpearl

As a tourist destination, Hoi An is more expensive than some other places in Vietnam. However, compared to other cities worldwide, prices here are reasonable, just about one-third.

Pham Van Dung, Director of Victoria Hoi An Resort and Spa, said that tourists should stay for at least six days to explore Hoi An's beauty.

Tourists can enjoy beach vacations or explore the countryside on motorcycle sidecars. For high-end tourists who enjoy relaxation, they can indulge in massages and spa treatments.

Tourists can enjoy beach vacations or explore the countryside on motorcycle sidecars. Photo: Tour Hero

Hoi An is a place where the bold march of progress peters into an amble. In this one-time trading port, the Thu Bon River meanders past crumbling shophouses and weathered pagodas, while sampans come and go from the old ferry quay. Outside the Old Town, two-lane roads slice through waving rice fields and emerge at a frothy coastline. Stay a couple of days, and Hoi An's easygoing beauty and lantern-lit nights may leave you hopelessly beguiled.

Dining in Hoi An is pure pleasure. Farms and fishing boats contribute just-picked vegetables, seafood, herbs, and fruit to the markets daily. Three quintessential Hoi An dishes are Cao Lau, Hoanh Thanh, and white rose dumplings.

Sunrise in Hoi An is a prime time to grab your hat and hop on a bike. With any luck, you’ll find yourself in a sea of green, with water buffalo flicking their tails. In Cam Thanh and Tra Que, you’ll pass vegetable farms and frond-fringed ponds.

An Bang Beach, just a 10-minute drive from the Ancient Town, promises seafood lunches, sandy stretches, and cool waves. Bring your books, beach blankets, and bikinis; or board a boat to the pristine shores of the Cham Islands.

Sunrise in Hoi An is a prime time to grab your hat and hop on a bike. Photo: Vinpearl

My Son Sanctuary is a UNESCO Cultural Heritage Site 40 kilometers from Hoi An. Tucked into a valley near a shaded stream, these temples were built by the Cham people. The surviving structures date from the 7th to the 13th century.

Expect rainy days and several storms from October to January. If you arrive at the start of the year, bring a few extra layers to stay warm. March to May are the best months to visit, but you can also see Hoi An from June to August if you don’t mind the heat.

The international airport in Da Nang is a 50-minute drive from the Ancient Town. There are domestic flights from Vietnam’s major cities to Da Nang, as well as direct flights from regional hubs. Hoi An can also be reached by bus or shuttle vans from nearby destinations, such as Nha Trang, Da Nang, or Hue. Walking and cycling are ideal for sightseeing in the Ancient Town and the countryside. Taxis and ride-hailing apps can also take you around. Ask your hotel about a private car for trips further afield.

Topping the list this year are San Miguel de Allende in Mexico, Udaipur in India, and Kyoto in Japan.

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