In the old section of town after dusk, you’ll see the streets beautifully lit with lanterns.

The colorful market town of Hoi An, on the Thu Bon River and 640 km southeast of Hanoi, was a major port in centuries past, with ships arriving from all over the world for cargoes of silk and other fabrics, sugar, tea and ceramics. Hoi An’s traditional Vietnamese architecture has been preserved, and there are many historic temples and pagodas in the area.

Popular sights include the 18th-century Tan Ky House, the Phuoc Kien Assembly Hall, the Chaozhou Assembly Hall and the Japanese-style covered bridge, the town’s most famous landmark.

Hundreds of shops in Hoi An sell handmade silk and cotton garments, and custom tailoring is fast, inexpensive and mostly of good quality.

Hoi An is also known for its silk lanterns. In the old section of town after dusk, you’ll see the streets beautifully lit with these lanterns. If you time your visit right, you may see the lantern festival held in November on the eve of the full moon.

At My Son, just southwest of Hoi An, are Vietnam’s finest Cham ruins, a complex of about 70 temples, houses and other structures.

When to travel to Hoi An

February and April are the best time to visit Hoi An when rainfall is low and temperatures are pleasant. During October and November, rains can be frequent and heavy. Time your visit to Hoi An to coincide with the 14th day of each lunar month for the Full Moon festivals. The town becomes the stage for traditional songs, dancing, games and food, with lanterns lining all of the streets.