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Hoi An

A lantern-lit ancient town where time stands still

Best Time to Visit
Feb — Apr, Aug — Oct
Budget Per Person
$2,000 — $8,000+
Flight From Dubai
~8h via Da Nang (DAD)
Visa
e-Visa required — Assisted e-Visa
Currency
VND (Vietnamese Dong)
Languages
Vietnamese & English

Curated Experiences

Hand-picked moments that define luxury in Hoi An

Colourful silk lanterns glowing over the Ancient Town streets at night, Hoi An

Ancient Town Lantern Evening

As dusk falls over the UNESCO-listed Ancient Town, silk lanterns in every hue ignite along Tran Phu and Nguyen Thai Hoc streets, casting a warm amber glow on centuries-old merchant houses. Your private guide leads you through hidden alleyways, past the iconic Japanese Covered Bridge, to a reserved riverside table for dinner as the town reflects in the Thu Bon River.

Tailor-lined street of the Hoi An Ancient Town with shopfronts and silk fabrics

Bespoke Tailoring at a Silk Atelier

Hoi An is one of the world’s most celebrated tailoring destinations, where skilled artisans craft a bespoke suit, ao dai or evening gown within 24 to 48 hours. Unmatched Journeys arranges a private consultation at a curated silk atelier, with access to the finest Vietnamese silk and linen fabrics, followed by a fitting session and express delivery to your hotel.

Wooden boats on the Thu Bon River at dawn with lanterns floating on the water, Hoi An

Thu Bon River Boat Cruise & Lantern Release

Board a traditional wooden sampan at sunrise for a private cruise along the Thu Bon River, drifting past vegetable gardens, fishing villages and the luminous Ancient Town skyline. At dusk, return to release handcrafted lotus lanterns onto the river — a deeply moving Vietnamese tradition that culminates in a champagne toast as the lanterns drift into the twilight.

Ancient Cham temple towers and ruins at My Son Sanctuary, Vietnam

My Son Sanctuary Private Heritage Tour

Some 50 kilometres from Hoi An, the jungle-shrouded Cham temple complex of My Son is a UNESCO World Heritage Site — a collection of red-brick towers built between the 4th and 14th centuries. Unmatched Journeys arranges an early-morning private guided visit before tour groups arrive, with transportation and a dedicated archaeologist escort to bring the Cham civilisation vividly to life.

Traditional round basket boats navigating the water coconut palm forest near Hoi An

Basket Boat Tour & Vietnamese Cooking Class

Spin through the emerald water coconut forest in a traditional thung chai basket boat, guided by a local fisherman who demonstrates the art of circular rowing with playful flair. The afternoon continues at a farm-to-table kitchen school where a chef guides you through crafting white rose dumplings, cao lau noodles and fresh spring rolls from produce grown in Tra Que vegetable village.

Boats moored at An Bang Beach with palm trees and calm turquoise water, Hoi An

An Bang Beach Club Day

Just five kilometres from the Ancient Town, An Bang Beach is a pristine stretch of white sand lapped by the South China Sea, lined with beach clubs and seafood shacks. Unmatched Journeys reserves a private cabana at a curated beachfront venue, arranges a chilled seafood lunch with fresh crab and prawns, and provides a private driver for seamless transfers throughout the day.

Sample Itineraries

Customizable journeys tailored to your travel style

3 Days

Hoi An in 3 Magical Days

Perfect for Romantic Getaways
Day 1: Arrive at Four Seasons The Nam Hai and settle into your private pool villa overlooking Ha My Beach. A welcome seafood dinner is served on your villa terrace as the sun sets over the South China Sea — the perfect introduction to Hoi An’s unhurried luxury.
Day 2: Morning bespoke tailoring consultation at a curated silk atelier in the Ancient Town, then a private basket boat experience in the water coconut forest followed by a Vietnamese cooking class at a riverside farm kitchen. Evening lantern walk through the illuminated Ancient Town with a reserved dinner at Mango Rooms overlooking the Thu Bon River.
Day 3: Private sunrise cruise on the Thu Bon River with lantern release at dawn. Morning at An Bang Beach with a private cabana and fresh seafood lunch. Afternoon collect your bespoke tailored garments before a farewell sunset cocktail on the Nam Hai beach terrace.
5 Days

Ancient Town & Cultural Immersion

Perfect for Cultural Immersion
Day 1: Check in to Anantara Hoi An Resort on the Thu Bon River. Afternoon private walking tour of the Ancient Town — the Japanese Covered Bridge, Tan Ky Merchant House and the Assembly Halls of the Fujian and Cantonese communities. Evening riverside dinner as lanterns light up the water.
Day 2: Early-morning transfer to My Son Sanctuary for a private archaeologist-guided tour of the Cham temple ruins before tour groups arrive. Return to Hoi An for a traditional Cao Lau noodle lunch in the Ancient Town market, followed by an afternoon silk atelier tailoring session.
Day 3: Sunrise basket boat tour through the Bay Mau water coconut forest, then a hands-on cooking class at Tra Que Herb Village crafting classic Hoi An dishes. Afternoon at Anantara’s riverside pool and spa, evening Full Moon Lantern Festival walk if dates align.
Day 4: Private day at An Bang Beach with a cabana, paddleboarding and a curated seafood lunch. Late afternoon lantern-making workshop with a local artisan family, followed by a private sampan river cruise at sunset with lantern release and champagne.
Day 5: Leisurely morning at the hotel spa and a final walk through the Ancient Town for last-minute silk purchases. Collect bespoke tailored pieces and depart with a private transfer to Da Nang Airport, gifted with a handmade Hoi An lantern keepsake.
7 Days

The Complete Hoi An Week

Perfect for Family & Multi-Generational Travel
Day 1: Private arrival transfer from Da Nang Airport to Four Seasons The Nam Hai. Welcome orientation of the resort’s three pools and beachfront, followed by a family dinner at The Restaurant with a children’s Vietnamese cooking activity led by the resort’s chefs.
Day 2: Private guided Ancient Town walking tour focused on Hoi An’s merchant history — the Japanese Covered Bridge, Hoi An Museum of History and the tailoring quarter. Afternoon tailoring session for adults; kids enjoy a lantern-making class at a craft workshop nearby.
Day 3: Early visit to My Son Sanctuary with a private guide explaining the Cham civilisation through age-appropriate storytelling. Return via a local market visit for fresh tropical fruit, then pool and beach afternoon at Nam Hai.
Day 4: Basket boat adventure in the water coconut forest — enormous fun for all ages — followed by a family cooking class at a Tra Que farm garden. Children learn spring roll wrapping while parents master cao lau noodles; lunch is the food you have just made together.
Day 5: Full beach day at An Bang: private cabana, fresh coconuts and a seafood barbecue lunch. Afternoon return to the resort for the Four Seasons’ silk-lantern making ceremony, creating personalised lanterns to take home.
Day 6: Private sunrise Thu Bon River cruise with lotus lantern release at dawn — a genuinely moving family moment. Morning bicycle ride through the rice paddies to Tra Que village, afternoon at leisure with resort activities, farewell family dinner at The Beach Club.
Day 7: Final morning spa treatment for parents, beach and pool for children. Late checkout and a leisurely private transfer to Da Nang Airport, each family member departing with bespoke tailored pieces, a handmade lantern and an indelible memory of Hoi An.

Iconic Hotels & Stays

Where you'll rest your head in absolute luxury

Four Seasons The Nam Hai

Beach Villa Luxury
From $800/night
  • Private pool villas steps from Ha My Beach on the South China Sea
  • Three tiered beachfront pools and The Beach Club restaurant
  • Nam Hai Spa with signature Vietnamese rituals and open-air pavilions
  • Complimentary sunrise Tai Chi, lantern-making and cooking classes
  • Private transfers to the Ancient Town, 15 minutes by resort vehicle

Anantara Hoi An Resort

Riverside Boutique Luxury
From $300/night
  • Elegant colonial-style resort on the bank of the Thu Bon River
  • Infinity pool and The Restaurant with panoramic river and Ancient Town views
  • Anantara Spa with Vietnamese herbal steam and traditional massage
  • Walking distance to the heart of the UNESCO Ancient Town
  • Private boat excursions and curated cultural day experiences

Hotel Royal Hoi An MGallery

Heritage Luxury
From $250/night
  • Boutique MGallery property steps from the Ancient Town’s lantern streets
  • Rooftop pool and bar with sweeping views over the Old Quarter
  • Spa with traditional Vietnamese Gua Sha and herbal compress treatments
  • Restaurant serving classic Hoi An dishes including cao lau and white rose
  • Personalised cultural itinerary planning by in-house heritage concierge

Allegro Hoi An

Contemporary Boutique Luxury
From $200/night
  • Modern boutique property blending Vietnamese design with contemporary comfort
  • Rooftop pool and lounge with Ancient Town and river panoramas
  • On-site bistro specialising in contemporary Vietnamese cuisine
  • Curated cycling and cooking excursions for guests
  • Convenient location for Ancient Town walking access and tailoring quarter

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about Hoi An

When is the best time to visit Hoi An? +
The best seasons for Hoi An are February through April and August through October. From February to April the weather is warm, skies are clear and the summer monsoon has not yet arrived — ideal for Ancient Town walks, beach days at An Bang and river excursions. August through October offers warm temperatures with manageable rainfall. November and December bring the rainy season, though the town’s atmosphere remains magical. The monthly Full Moon Lantern Festival — held on the 14th of each lunar month — is worth timing your visit around regardless of season.
How much does a luxury trip to Hoi An cost? +
A well-curated luxury Hoi An stay typically ranges from $2,000 to $8,000 or more per person depending on hotel tier, duration and the experiences chosen. Four Seasons The Nam Hai pool villas start from around $800 per night while boutique riverside properties begin from $200 to $300. Bespoke tailoring, private cooking classes, My Son Sanctuary tours and river cruises are all modestly priced by GCC luxury standards, meaning you enjoy extraordinary depth of experience at compelling value.
Do UAE or GCC nationals need a visa for Vietnam? +
UAE and most GCC nationals require a visa to enter Vietnam. The e-Visa process is straightforward — applicants apply online and typically receive approval within three business days, for a maximum stay of 90 days. Unmatched Journeys assists all clients with a guided e-Visa application process as part of trip planning, ensuring approvals are in place well before departure. Vietnam’s e-Visa covers Da Nang International Airport, the main gateway for Hoi An.
What are the must-see attractions in Hoi An? +
The UNESCO-listed Ancient Town is Hoi An’s centrepiece — its lantern-strung streets, the 16th-century Japanese Covered Bridge, ornate Assembly Halls and merchant houses are unmissable at any time of day. The Full Moon Lantern Festival on the 14th of each lunar month, when the town goes car-free and electric lights are replaced by candlelit lanterns, is among the most beautiful evenings in Southeast Asia. My Son Sanctuary’s Cham temple ruins, basket boat adventures in the water coconut forest, tailoring ateliers and the white beaches of An Bang complete the essential Hoi An experience.
Is Hoi An safe for travellers? +
Hoi An is consistently regarded as one of Vietnam’s safest towns for international travellers. The town is small, walkable and highly accustomed to welcoming visitors from around the world. Traffic is lighter than in Vietnamese cities, healthcare facilities are adequate and Da Nang, 30 minutes away, has international-standard hospitals. Normal urban awareness in crowded market areas is advised. Unmatched Journeys provides 24/7 concierge support throughout your stay and manages all logistics so every moment is effortless.
How do I get to Hoi An and get around once there? +
Hoi An is served by Da Nang International Airport (DAD), approximately 30 to 40 minutes away by road. Fly into Da Nang via Dubai on Emirates with a total journey of around 8 hours. Unmatched Journeys arranges all private airport transfers. Within Hoi An, the Ancient Town is best explored on foot or by bicycle — the old quarter restricts most motorised vehicles. For excursions to An Bang Beach, My Son Sanctuary or the water coconut forest, private car transfers are arranged seamlessly by your concierge.
What is the Full Moon Lantern Festival and how can I experience it? +
On the 14th night of every lunar month, Hoi An’s Ancient Town transforms for the Full Moon Lantern Festival: electric lights are switched off across the old quarter, paper and silk lanterns are lit in every doorway, traditional music fills the streets and motorbikes are banned. The result is one of Asia’s most atmospheric evenings. Lotus lanterns are floated on the Thu Bon River as wishes are made. Unmatched Journeys times itineraries around this festival whenever possible and reserves riverfront dining tables for the evening.
Can Unmatched Journeys plan a custom Hoi An itinerary? +
Absolutely — Hoi An is one of our most beloved Southeast Asian destinations and our team knows its hidden courtyards, finest tailors and most atmospheric river tables intimately. Our AI concierge Aria can begin crafting your bespoke Hoi An journey right now, whether you envision a romantic lantern-lit long weekend at The Nam Hai, a cultural week immersed in Ancient Town history and Cham temple heritage, or a multigenerational family adventure blending cooking classes, basket boats and beach days. Tell Aria your travel dates, your travel party and your mood — and let her weave the rest.

Ready to Experience Hoi An?

Let Aria craft your perfect luxury Hoi An itinerary — from Ancient Town lantern evenings and private river cruises to pool villa stays at The Nam Hai and bespoke tailoring. Every magical detail, effortlessly arranged.

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