Do & See

Apart from old merchant homes and assembly halls of various Chinese congregations that are some of the Ancient Town's highlights, Hoi An enjoys a fortunate location within a short distance from the beach, and even has a small island archipelago to its name: the laid-back Cham Islands are only a short ferry ride away, and are a great place for a relaxed getaway from the tourist masses. Cycling tours of the surrounding rice fields and Vietnamese cooking classes are some of the most popular activities in Hoi An, and the former French colonial port of Da Nang is an easy day trip from here (so are the Ba Na Hills with their stunning Golden Bridge held up by two enormous sculpted hands).