Hoi An is often where first-time visitors to Vietnam begin — drawn by lantern-lit streets, riverside cafés, and an easy going pace that makes it tempting to stay put. But while Hoi An is a wonderful introduction to Vietnam, it’s also the ideal starting point for travelling further into the heart of central Vietnam. From quiet rice fields and ancient temple ruins to the imperial city of Hue, this region rewards travellers who are willing to go just a little beyond the familiar.
This guide is designed for first-time visitors who want to explore beyond Hoi An — combining easy local experiences with a natural onward journey to Hue.
From Hoi An to Hue: How to Explore Central Vietnam on Your First Visit
Many travellers come to central Vietnam with one destination firmly in mind: Hoi An Ancient Town. And honestly, it’s easy to see why. Lantern-lit evenings, riverside cafés, tailor shops, and heritage streets make it a gentle and rewarding place to slow down. Add the Full Moon Lantern Festival, held on the 14th day of each lunar month, and Hoi An quickly becomes a highlight of any Vietnam itinerary.
But here’s the thing: if this is your first visit to Vietnam, staying put means missing some of the country’s most fascinating layers of history, culture, and everyday life. Central Vietnam rewards curiosity — especially if you’re willing to venture a little further afield.
While Hoi An makes an excellent base, pairing it with Hue — Vietnam’s former imperial capital — creates a far richer travel experience. Between the two, you’ll move from merchant houses and rice paddies to emperors, citadels, and royal tombs, all within a manageable travel distance.
This guide is designed to help first-time visitors understand how to explore central Vietnam at an easy pace: where to stay, what to do from Hoi An, and why Hue deserves a dedicated place on your itinerary.
Why Hoi An Works as a Base (But Not the Whole Story)
Hoi An is wonderfully walkable, compact, and calm — particularly appealing for travellers who prefer charm over chaos. It’s also an excellent base for short, low-effort day trips, especially if you’re visiting during the warmer months.
Because of the heat and humidity, we always suggest keeping excursions within an hour or so of town, ideally starting early in the morning. Hiring a bicycle or using a local driver makes exploring easy and flexible.
Popular Day Trips from Hoi An
If this is your first time in Vietnam, these nearby experiences offer a gentle introduction to daily life and history:
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Cycling through the local rice fields
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Visiting the My Son Holy Land (a UNESCO World Heritage Site)
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Snorkelling or diving at Cham Island
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Spending a relaxed day at An Bang Beach
These outings add variety to your stay — but they’re best seen as a prelude rather than the main event.
Where to Stay in Hoi An Ancient Town
Choosing the right accommodation in Hoi An can make or break your visit, especially in the heat. A peaceful retreat just outside the busiest streets is often the best option.
Ancient House Resort & Spa is a standout choice. The property is named for the original 200-year-old house still standing on the grounds, where fifth-generation family members continue to live. Rooms are spacious, traditional in style, and thoughtfully designed — including king-size four-poster beds with mosquito netting (a blessing rather than a novelty).
It’s close enough to cycle into the Old Town, but far enough away to escape the crowds at the end of the day.
Booking Tips
For accommodation savings, we typically recommend:
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Booking.com for its consistent availability and frequent discounts
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Hotels.com if you like the idea of earning a free night after ten stays
Both platforms work well in Vietnam and offer solid cancellation policies.
Cycling the Rice Fields: A Morning in Rural Vietnam
One of the simplest pleasures in Hoi An is hopping on a bicycle and pedalling into the countryside. Start early — breakfast by 7:30am is ideal — and you’ll beat both the heat and the tour buses.
As you leave town, the scenery shifts quickly. Narrow lanes wind between rice paddies, village homes, and small bridges where locals pause to chat or herd geese across the road. You’ll see farmers harvesting rice by hand, separating grain using manual threshers, and laying rice out on tarps beside the road to dry — sometimes just metres from passing traffic.
It’s everyday Vietnam, unfiltered and quietly fascinating.
You’ll probably get lost once or twice. That’s part of the charm. Locals are unfailingly amused rather than annoyed, and a friendly smile usually points you back in the right direction.
Along the way, keep an eye out for:
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Basket boats used for near-shore fishing
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Small roadside stalls selling drinks and spring rolls
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Local wet markets where watermelon can cost as little as USD $1 for two kilograms
After a morning like this, a swim back at the hotel feels well earned.
My Son Holy Land: Ancient Vietnam Revealed
For travellers interested in history, My Son Holy Land is one of the most important sites in central Vietnam. Located around 90 minutes from Hoi An, it’s best visited with a guide who can provide context and spare you the stress of navigating traffic.
The drive itself is revealing, passing through rural villages where harvested rice dries on roadsides, roundabouts, and village squares. As the landscape shifts into forested hills, it becomes easier to imagine how the temples lay hidden for centuries before being rediscovered by the French.
What Makes My Son Special?
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The site dates from the 4th to 14th centuries
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It was the religious and political centre of the Champa Kingdom
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Originally home to around 70 temples
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Many were damaged during the American War; around 20 remain today
The temples are dedicated to Hindu deities, heavily influenced by Indian architecture and spiritual symbolism. One of the enduring mysteries is how the bricks were constructed without mortar, yet have survived for over a thousand years with remarkably little deterioration.
Each temple contains fertility symbols — the Linga and Yoni — representing masculine and feminine energy, a recurring theme throughout Champa religious sites.
My Son is humbling, atmospheric, and well worth the effort — but it’s also a reminder that Vietnam’s story doesn’t begin or end in Hoi An.
A Beach Day at An Bang (China Beach)
Not every day needs to be cultural. An Bang Beach, just 15 minutes from Hoi An by taxi or around 30 minutes by bike, is ideal for a slower pace.
The beach is wide, sandy, and far less commercial than some of Vietnam’s resort strips. There are plenty of casual beachside restaurants and bars where you can settle in for the day with a book, a cold drink, and the sound of the waves.
For first-time visitors, An Bang offers:
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Easy access from town
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Calm swimming conditions most of the year
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Enough facilities without feeling overdeveloped
It’s a lovely contrast to the heritage streets of Hoi An — but again, it’s only one piece of the puzzle.
Island & Boat Trips from Hoi An
If you have extra time and calm seas, several boat trips operate from Hoi An:
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Cham Island (around 90 minutes by ferry) for snorkelling and scuba diving
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Smaller island escapes such as Bai Xep for a quieter beach day
Midweek visits are usually less crowded, especially if you plan to hike or explore inland areas of the islands.
Visiting Hoi An Ancient Town
Hoi An Ancient Town remains one of Vietnam’s most atmospheric destinations and should not be missed on a first visit. Wandering the Old Town in the early morning or late evening — when day-trippers have left — reveals its softer side.
If possible, time your visit with the Full Moon Lantern Festival, when electric lights are turned off and the town glows with silk lanterns reflected in the river. It’s beautiful, gentle, and deeply memorable.
👉 You can read our full guide here: Hoi An Ancient Town – What First-Time Visitors Need to Know
Why You Should Continue On to Hue
While Hoi An introduces you to Vietnam’s charm, Hue introduces you to its soul.
As the former imperial capital, Hue offers:
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A vast Imperial Citadel
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Royal tombs set along the Perfume River
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Pagodas, monasteries, and traditional garden houses
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A calmer, more reflective atmosphere than many tourist hubs
For travellers over 40 — especially those who appreciate history, slower travel, and deeper cultural context — Hue is often the unexpected highlight of a Vietnam journey.
The journey from Hoi An to Hue is straightforward and scenic, whether by train, private transfer, or guided tour via the Hai Van Pass.
👉 We’ve put together a complete first-timer’s guide here: Hue, Vietnam: A First-Time Visitor’s Guide to the Imperial City
Final Thoughts: Travel Slower, See More
Hoi An is a wonderful place to begin — but Vietnam truly opens up when you move beyond a single base. By combining Hoi An’s living heritage with Hue’s imperial history, you gain a far richer understanding of the country, its past, and its people.
If this is your first time in Vietnam, resist the urge to rush. Travel slower, add depth, and allow space for places like Hue to surprise you.
Chances are, it will.
Thanks for such interesting photos. Makes me wish I was a couple of decades younger though.
Lol – true but even now we need to be quick smart across the busy roads to avoid the endless motorbikes. Learning a lot and enjoying the daily experiences. The bike ride through the rice fields has been a highlight of the trip
Love T&M