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Hoi An, located in central Vietnam, offers a range of popular day trips to nearby attractions that provide a diverse range of experiences, and many of those are very popular with children and families who love the beach, culture, food, entertainment and local experiences.
Here are some of the most popular experiences in easy reach of Hoi An:
1.My Son Sanctuary: A UNESCO World Heritage site, My Son Sanctuary is an ancient Cham temple complex located approximately 40 kilometers southwest of Hoi An. It was once the religious and political capital of the Champa Kingdom. Explore the well-preserved ruins and learn about the history and architecture of this significant archaeological site. It’s one of those places you will want to take your kids to see so they can appreciate the culture of the region and the age of the landscape they are walking on.
2. Marble Mountains: Situated just 9 kilometers north of Hoi An, the Marble Mountains are a cluster of five limestone and marble hills, each representing one of the five elements. Climb to the top of the mountains for panoramic views of the surrounding countryside, explore Buddhist pagodas, and discover intricate cave systems adorned with statues and carvings. This is best done with a guide. There are many public tours offered around town, or we recommend Tommy Dao tours
3.Cham Islands (Cu Lao Cham): Embark on a boat trip to the Cham Islands, a group of beautiful islands located about 18 kilometers off the coast of Hoi An. Enjoy pristine beaches, go snorkelling or scuba diving to explore the coral reefs, and immerse yourself in the relaxed island atmosphere. The islands are also home to a fishing village where you can learn about the local way of life. It’s a super fun day out, and on a sunny day we cannot think of anything more fun to do. Find out all you need to know here.
4. Ba Na Hills: Located about 40 kilometers from Hoi An, Ba Na Hills is a popular hill station and amusement park set amidst beautiful mountain scenery. Take a cable car ride to the top and enjoy breathtaking views, visit the French-inspired Le Jardin D'Amour gardens, explore the Golden Bridge (a stunning architectural feat), and experience various entertainment activities. This is a full day of exploring a major Theme park sitting on top of the mountain looking down on Danang. We likewise suggest you plan this day and arrange through a credible guide or tour operator. Again we suggest Tommy Dao Tours for this area.
5. Hue City: If you have a full day and a half to spare, consider an overnight trip to Hue, the former imperial capital of Vietnam. Located approximately 130 kilometers north of Hoi An, Hue offers a rich history and cultural heritage. Visit the UNESCO-listed Imperial City, explore the ancient tombs of emperors along the Perfume River, and take a boat ride to the Thien Mu Pagoda, an iconic symbol of Hue. Some say the best way to get there and experience some wonderful views along the way is to travel by train from Danang. That way as a family you get to enjoy the journey there, as well as take in the views during the 3 hour journey. Once in Hue, we would suggest staying overnight and exploring the citadel and Perfume river with the assistance of a guided tour. Check out more about Hue here.
If Hue feels like a place too far, maybe a good rainy day activity is a fun visit to the 3 D art in Paradise in Danang. Find out all you need to know here.
6.. Tra Que Vegetable Village: For a more immersive and local experience, visit Tra Que Vegetable Village, located just a few kilometers from Hoi An. This rural village is known for its organic vegetable farming.
Participate in farming activities, learn traditional farming techniques, and enjoy a cooking class to prepare a meal using the fresh ingredients you harvested.. This is a very unique experience and the children love working with the local farmers to collect the vegetables and see how the buffalo works to plough the gardens.
7. For a delightful day in the Old Town, we suggest you include Lantern making as an option after exploring the 5 main pagodas. Read here about these main ones in the old town that are included as part of your Old Town entry ticket explained here. As a wonderful souvenir to take home your family will love the colours and lightness of the lanterns.
Check out Hong Van – 12/11 Bach Dang Street, Hoi An or email Van at phamvan230986@gmail.com to arrange directly a time and for your group.
Oh, and don’t forget to visit the Precious Heritage Museum featuring 54 of the minority groups in full costume and with amazing photography by Réhahn who can be found sharing his adventures with visitors, signing books and promoting the beauty and enchanting diversity of Vietnam. It’s FREE to visit and we suggest you allow at least an hour to go to the upstair rooms that showcase the models and stories collected by this famous photographer.
8. Another great day trip is a 30 minute drive to visit the Mural Village located at Tam Thanh village. Have your driver take you to the village and enjoy a day exploring all the alleys to see how many you can discover. Find more detail about this area on the podcast page here - https://www.whataboutvietnam.com/series-2/episode-4/tam-ky-and-tam-thanh-beach---not-on-the-regular-tourist-track
9. There is nothing better than a day at the beach. An Bang beach is only 10 mins from the old town region of Hoi An and offers gorgeous white sand and shallow waves ideal for the whole family. In addition, local eateries offer FREE sun shaded chairs and access to many water sports like parasailing at affordable prices. Some of our favourite places to set yourself up for the day are The Deck, The Shore Club and Soul Kitchen.
10. This list would be incomplete if we did not mention the shows and theme parks. Firstly, one show that is a must to fit in your stay is the Hoi An Memories show. An extravaganza with 500 performers it is compared to something like the opening of the Olympic games. The whole stage is set on water and attached to a theme park for a very colourful night of tasty food, culture and entertainment. It gets our biggest “WOW” every time.
The second show which is not always in town is the Ao Show. Check out the Lune production website for more information and dates. Lets’ hope they are there when you visit as we like to refer to it as the Cirque du Soleil of Vietnam..Traditional storytelling and skilled performers make this show mesmerising.
Just one more that likewise deserves mentioning is the Vin Wonders Theme park extravaganza. While you think you may not want to visit a Disney experience like this while in Vietnam, I know families who go there and spend the whole day and have to drag their kids away!!
These are just a few of the popular day trips from Hoi An. There are also options to explore the countryside by bicycle, visit local fishing villages, or take a coracle boat tour through the water coconut forests or a sampan along the Thu Bon River. The choice of day trip depends on your interests, time available, and preferred activities.