Hoian Nightlife: 9 Top Things to do in Hoian at Night

Hoian Nightlife: 9 Top Things to do in Hoian at Night

Hoian is beautiful at any time of the day, but the town is exceptionally gorgeous when the sun goes down. As the night sets in, the walking streets turn into a sparkling display of vivid lanterns, while the local vendors and restaurants are all lit up, and live music performances are everywhere on the riverbank.

Things to do in Hoian at night

From sunset riverboats along the Thu Bon River to traditional water puppet shows typical of Hoian culture, there are plenty of amazing things that you can do in Hoian at night. Make sure that you don’t miss any of Hoian nightlife with Asia Private Travels guide to the 9 best things to do in Hoian at night!

Hoian Nightlife: Things to Do in Hoian at Night

Walking gently around Hoian Ancient Town

Hoian Ancient Town in sunset

One thing you should definitely do at night in Hoian Ancient Town is to stroll around the famous yellow streets. Hoian town has a completely different vibe at night and it’s lovely to see the architecture lit up with lies and colorful lanterns on the pedestrian-friendly streets. You can notice that there are lanterns everywhere from the streets to above, from wall to wall!

There are plenty of coffee shops, restaurants, and soft bars that you can visit to spend the night - but if you are looking forward to Hoian sightseeing on a budget, just allow yourself to get lost in the picturesque streets. There is nothing more relaxing than a walking tour in Hoian, gently with your loved ones through the big and small ways. Some other options for you are renting a bike, or a motorbike from the locals or hotels based within the town. No matter what vehicle you choose, a bike tour and a motorbike tour in Hoian can give you some sort of special vibe like a real local!

Tourists having fun at a pub in Hoian Ancient Town

Feel free to interact and talk with the local owners of the traditional shophouses to learn more about their daily life. You will surely see some tailor shops in the small valleys and learning about their history can be a really interesting experience. Don’t worry about honking or vehicles going from any direction (just like some big cities in Vietnam). In Hoian old town, there are no vehicles to bother you, so enjoy the night tour!

Visit the Japanese Covered Bridge

You may have heard about the Japanese Covered Bridge from some pictures of Hoian as this is usually considered the symbol of the old town, but the bridge is much more than just a well-constructed construction. 

Japanese Covered Bridge

Built in the 17 century by the Japanese as a way of getting to the Chinese quarter in Hoian, the bridge soon became frequently used by people in Hoian and they even built a small temple on the bridge. If you are curious about this construction, you can learn more about its history to discover the hidden stories behind the symbolic bridge. 

When the sun comes down, the Japanese Covered Bridge is illuminated by colorful lights along the bridge reflecting on the water, creating a sparkly image that is even more beautiful than it is already in the daytime. This is also a popular spot for spectacular photo shoots - a must-go spot for any tour to Hoian Vietnam, so make sure you visit this architecture in the heart of the quarter. Many people don’t know this, but you can also go inside the worship area on the bridge to pray for good things.

Note: As the worship area is a sacred space, you should wear proper clothes if you have attendance to visit the inner temple.

Take a sunset riverboat trip on Thu Bon River

Hoian Old Town lies along the Thu Bon River, which has been the transport way that connects the area to the surroundings for ages. The river and its canals in and around Hoian are always lively and colorful, especially at night. And what better way to explore this line of silk than on a sunset riverboat? 

A boat trip along the Thu Bon River in Hoian Ancient Town

You can take the boat cruises throughout the day, of course, but seeing the river lit up at night makes it a much more special experience. You can choose a normal Hoian boat trip which can hold up to four or five people - or you can hop on a dinner cruise, which is more luxurious as you can enjoy a tasty meal, juicy cocktails, and mellow music while admiring the incredible scenery of Thu Bon River.

Shop at Hoian Night Market

Another thing to do in Hoian is to visit the Hoian Night Market and shop around some cute souvenirs. Stretching for 300 meters along Nguyen Hoang Street, the market can be found nearby the Bridge of Lights over the river, on Hoian Island. You can find a huge mix of clothing, jewelry, bags, and especially dining and drinking venues.

Shop around the stalls in Hoian Night Market

Walking through the market, don’t be surprised if you are awed by the stalls stacked high with goods ranging from accessories to shoes to lacquer wear. If you are looking to buy some souvenirs for your friends and family back home, get them here. The local owners are very friendly and willing to share with you some interesting stories of how they create the souvenirs, even if you have no intention of buying anything.

Hoian Night Market is open from 5 PM to 10 PM

It is good to soak up the atmosphere of this bustling market but believe us, it can be really hard to resist the taste of food in the vendors. Grab some snacks, such as banh mi Hoian - one of the best dishes to try when you visit Hoian Old Town, or try Nuoc Mot (an herbal drink), as you cannot find this drink anywhere else.

Note: Hoian Night Market is open from 5 PM to 10 PM every day, so you can visit this puzzling market even if you are just in Hoian Old Town for one night.

Play Bai Choi (traditional Vietnamese card game)

We bet that you never heard about this game before - but this is a really familiar game to the local people in Hoian Ancient Town. It is a traditional Vietnamese card game that has existed for many generations. There is a wide yard with many lodges to play Bai Choi and there is usually a crowd playing this card game. Don’t be surprised if you see a foreigner in the crowd because this game is super addictive to play!

Bai Choi - a traditional card game in Hoian

If this awakens your curiosity, don’t hesitate to join them! Buy and get some cards, then the friendly crowd will teach you how to play. Shotley describes what you have to do is to pay attention to the songs that the local sings, at the end of each song you will hear the name of the card that you have to play. If you get three cards you will get a gift. Enjoy the game!

Take a cooking class in Hoian

If you ever tried the specialties such as Hoian rice chicken, Cao Lau, or eel mixed with rice paper, you will definitely be curious why they can be so delicious! Well, a cooking glass in Hoian can be your answer. There are many places offering cooking classes for tourists like cruises in Halong Bay or Hanoi, but Hoian classes are some of the most popular in Vietnam.

Join a cooking class in Hoian

Instead of eating at a restaurant, trying to cook them can be a really memorable experience. Do a quick search, and you will find your most suitable cooking class, ranging from introductory level to master chef. During the class, you will learn to cook some central Vietnamese signature dishes. Take your chance to learn more about the fresh herbs growing in Tra Que Village that create the uniqueness of the dishes, then eat the food you prepared yourself. The classes are sprinkled around the center of Hoian Old Town, so it is easy to try the classes and then continue your walking tour.

Besides cooking classes, tourists also have other options like lantern-making classes in Hoian. If you are curious about the lantern floating all around the town - this one's for you!

Release a paper lantern and make a wish

OK, this is completely unlike the other things to do in Hoian on our list - it can only be experienced at night! After 6 PM, street vendors of all ages start to sell paper lanterns by the river in Hoian. They are really cheap, so get yourself involved in this common tradition. Buy one or two lights, find a spot on the riverbank, and make a wish as you float them on the water. It is believed that the lantern can bring you luck and happiness, plus you can leave something in the nostalgic Hoian.

Buy a paper lantern and release it with your best wishes

If you are lucky enough, you will have the chance to join a lantern festival in Hoian. That is when people light up huge lanterns in different shapes, and there will be music performances everywhere across the streets. The Hoian Lantern Festival takes place once a month on the 14th day of the lunar month, so make sure to plan your trip accordingly to this celebration.

Immerse in the world of lanterns in Hoian

Originally introduced to the locals by merchants in the 1960s, lanterns are a huge part of Hoian culture. Over time, the lanterns got more popular and then became a unique feature of the town. It is not just for decoration; it is believed by locals that as many lanterns are hung on their houses, good luck will come to their houses.

The first lantern festival of the year is usually the biggest, so note it down if you want to experience the most vivid event. The only caution is that the festival is always super crowded as it is one of the best things to do it at night in Hoian.

Note: The monthly lantern festival, including the biggest one, are usually celebrated until around 10 PM.

Watch water puppet shows

When talking about the culture of Hoian, you cannot miss the water puppet show as it is also one of the top things to do in Hoian after dinner. Vietnamese water puppetry is a really familiar traditional art form to the wet rice civilization, dating back as far as the 10th century. The water puppet show will tell a story through the performances of the puppets controlled by the artist soaking deep in the water. 

A water puppet show in Hoian

Based on your preference, you can choose a show about Vietnamese daily life or tales of fairies and dragons. Tickets for a show at the Water Puppet Theater cost around 8000 per person for a 45-minute show. It is available online so you can plan before you visit Hoian at night.

Join a Hoian night tour

Of course, you can explore all the things to do above on your own, but a Hoiannight tour can give you the chance to maximize your time in Hoian - arrange the activities in the most appropriate order, or simply learn much more about the history and culture. Explore some of the most signature spots like the Japanese Covered Bridge or Tan Ky Old House, or dig deeper into the hidden gems like tailor shops, lemon tea shops, and vendors on the river.

A coffee shop in Hoian at night

Those top things to do in Hoian sound fascinating, we know, but you ought to consider your time budget and travel style, as they can be too much for just one night. If you want to relax after dinner, have a drink and some coffee or tea, walk along the yellow streets, and release paper lanterns. However, if you want to be a little bit more wild, there are some bars where you can enjoy cocktails and have some fun with your friends.

Boat trip in Hoian to take in all the nightlife

If you are confused about planning your itinerary at Hoian at night, you can ask us for a little help. Asia Private Travels offers Hoian night tours, which already include entrance fees and dinner at a Vietnamese restaurant, as well as traditional performances or puppet shows based on your requests. Our tour package already includes the best things to do in Hoian during the day and night, as well as hotels and transfers, so you don’t have to worry about what to do at night anymore!

Local Tips Before You Visit Hoian at Night

Best time to visit Hoian at night: If you book accommodation in Danang or Hue and travel to Hoian at night, make sure that you spend about two hours or more in this ancient town. Ensure that you have to glaze everything in Hoian

Enjoy dinner at a local restaurant in Hoian

Watch out for the opening time of the restaurant and tailor shop: Usually, the restaurants and tea shops will close at 10 PM, but you can search for the opening hours online or contact the owners in advance.

Visit An Bang Beach to hear the sound of waves: If you like going to the beach at night, this one of the top beaches in Hoian can be a great option to spare your night when the weather is cool. The sound of waves is extra gentle; you feel like you have the beach all to yourself. Grab a bicycle and a drink; the beach is not far from the ancient town, and you will have a peaceful night at Hoian Beach.

An Bang Beach at night

So those are our 9 favorite things to do in Hoian at night. We hope that you can get some useful information for your next trip to this famous agent. If you want to explore more of Hoian throughout the day or the surrounding area, like Tra Que Village, you can check out more guides on our website about Bay Mau Coconut Forest, My Son Sanctuary, and other attractions in the central region of Vietnam. Share with Asia Private Travels your thoughts about this guide and make sure that you visit Hoian at least once in your life! Also, if you're thinking of planning a trip, feel free to contact Asia Private Travels. We would love to assist you in creating a memorable experience.