Most travelers treat Hoi An as a quick two-day stopover to see the lanterns and move on, but spending ten days split between the ancient streets and the coast reveals a much slower, more rewarding side of Central Vietnam (베트남 / 越南 / ベトナム). This itinerary balances lazy beach mornings with deep-dive local food runs, coastal day trips, and rural escapes.
Day 1 — Settling in at Tan Thanh Beach
Skip the busy center and base yourself near Tan Thanh Beach, a quieter, residential stretch of sand just 5 km from the Old Town. Spend your morning adjusting to the heat, walking the soft sand, and watching the local round basket boats ("thuyen thung") bobbing near the shore.
In the evening, head into the Old Town for your first taste of "cao lau"—Hoi An (호이안 / 会安 / ホイアン)'s signature noodle dish made with thick rice noodles, sliced pork, and fresh herbs. Try it at Quan Cao Lau Thanh (26 Thai Pien) for about 40,000 VND.
Off-script suggestion: Walk the narrow alleyway of Hem 109 Nguyen Thai Hoc after 9:30 PM. The day-trippers have gone, the lanterns are still lit, and you will have the yellow-walled corridor entirely to yourself.
Day 2 — An Bang Beach and Craft Beers
An Bang Beach is the social hub of the Hoi An coast. Spend the morning renting a lounger from one of the beachfront shacks for the price of a fresh coconut (around 30,000 VND). The water here is warm and ideal for swimming from March to September.
For lunch, grab a classic "banh mi" from Madam Khanh - The Banh Mi Queen on Tran Cao Van Street. Order the mixed pork banh mi with extra chili sauce.
Off-script suggestion: Walk 200 meters north of the main An Bang entrance to find the quiet, nameless local seafood shacks. Order the grilled clams with scallion oil ("ngheu nuong mo hanh") for half the price of the westernized restaurants.
Day 3 — Escape to Cu Lao Cham
Take a day trip to Cu Lao Cham (the Cham Islands), located about 15 km off the coast. Speedboats leave from the Cua Dai pier at 8:30 AM. The islands offer clear water, coral reefs, and quiet beaches like Bai Chong.
Off-script suggestion: Skip the crowded buffet lunch included in most tour packages. Instead, walk to the small fishing village of Bai Huong on the main island and ask a local family to steam fresh sweet snails ("oc huong") bought directly from the pier.
Day 4 — Cycling Cam Kim Island
Rent a bicycle for 30,000 VND and cross the bridge south of the Old Town to Cam Kim Island. This is a rural paradise of rice paddies, cornfields, and boat-building yards. For lunch, stop at a roadside stall for "mi quang", a central Vietnamese noodle dish served with a rich pork and shrimp broth, quail eggs, and crunchy rice crackers.
Off-script suggestion: Seek out the woodcarving workshops in Kim Bong village. Instead of buying souvenirs, ask the artisans if you can watch them restore the intricate wooden pillars destined for the ancient houses in the Old Town.
Photo by Quang Nguyen Vinh on Pexels
Day 5 — Hidden Cua Dai and Riverside Dining
Cua Dai Beach was once heavily eroded, but recent reclamation efforts have brought back beautiful stretches of white sand. It is much quieter than An Bang. Spend a peaceful afternoon reading under the palms.
As the sun sets, find a table along the Thu Bon River for dinner. Try "white rose dumplings" ("banh bao banh vac"), delicate translucent shrimp dumplings topped with crispy fried shallots.
Off-script suggestion: Take the public wooden ferry from the Bach Dang wharf to Cam Kim for just 10,000 VND. It is a noisy, authentic commuter experience far removed from the tourist cruise boats.
Day 6 — Dawn Fish Market and Ha My Beach
Set your alarm for 4:45 AM and ride south to the Duy Hai fish market near the Cua Dai Bridge. This is where the night fishing boats land their catch. The energy is chaotic, loud, and brilliant.
Afterward, head to Ha My Beach, a pristine, undeveloped stretch of sand north of An Bang. You will likely have the entire beach to yourself.
Off-script suggestion: Eat breakfast at the Duy Hai market. Look for the stall selling "bun cha ca" (fish cake noodle soup) to the busy fishmongers. A bowl costs less than 25,000 VND.
Day 7 — Tra Que Vegetable Village and An Bang Backstreets
Spend the morning walking through Tra Que, a fertile island between the beach and the town where farmers grow organic herbs using seaweed from the lagoon as fertilizer.
In the afternoon, explore the quiet residential lanes behind An Bang Beach. The area is filled with small cafes, boutique homestays, and local shrines.
Off-script suggestion: Skip the commercial farming tours. Walk the dirt paths of Tra Que at 4:30 PM when the local farmers water their crops using traditional double watering cans balanced across their shoulders.
Photo by Quang Nguyen Vinh on Pexels
Day 8 — Day Trip to Da Nang and Son Tra Peninsula
Rent a 125cc scooter (around 150,000 VND per day) and ride 30 km north along the coastal road to Da Nang. Head straight up the Son Tra Peninsula (Monkey Mountain) for panoramic views of the ocean and the city skyline.
Off-script suggestion: Avoid the crowded Linh Ung Pagoda. Instead, ride further up the steep northern loop of the peninsula to the Ban Co peak, stopping at the deep-water rock pools at Mui Nghe if you are an experienced rider.
Day 9 — Beachside Cafes and Tan Thanh Market
Spend a slow day enjoying the local cafe culture. Try a traditional "ca phe sua da" (iced coffee with condensed milk) or a modern "egg coffee" while looking out at the waves.
If your visit lands on a weekend, check out the Tan Thanh Flea Market, where local artisans, expats, and organic farmers set up stalls right on the sand.
Off-script suggestion: Visit Sound of Silence cafe early in the morning. Grab a seat in their lush garden right on the beach edge, order a black coffee, and watch the local fishermen pull in their nets.
Day 10 — Final Dip and Old Town Lanterns
Spend your last morning taking a final swim at Tan Thanh Beach. In the afternoon, head into the Old Town to visit the historic assembly halls and the iconic Japanese Covered Bridge.
End your trip with a cold "bia hoi" (fresh draft beer) at a riverside stall for 10,000 VND a glass, watching the paper lanterns float down the river.
Off-script suggestion: Visit the Fujian Assembly Hall at 7:30 AM. The gates open early, and you can enjoy the quiet courtyard and the scent of burning incense coils before the tour buses arrive at 9:00 AM.
Practical notes
The best months for a beach-focused trip to Hoi An are from March to September when the seas are calm and the weather is sunny. Renting a bicycle or a light scooter is the easiest way to travel the 5 km between the beach and the Old Town. Always keep small cash bills (10,000 to 50,000 VND) handy for beach parking fees and street food stalls.
Last updated · May 30, 2026 · independently researched, never sponsored.
