Want to explore the historical landmarks of Hoi An but not sure where to start? The city is full of temples, pagodas, and old houses but between all the signs and tour groups, it’s easy to get overwhelmed.

To visit the essentials, just grab a Pass for 120,000 VND, available at the small wooden ticket booths around the Old Town. It includes 5 tickets you can use to enter the different monuments. Simple.

So I did what you would do: I got the pass and went out to try it all. No fluff, just honest feedback on what’s worth your time… and what you can skip.

And if you’d rather not explore on your own, I recommend hiring a English-speaking guide. It’s a great way to discover the city differently, with clear explanations and interesting stories along the way.

My Top Picks If You’re in a Hurry

The Precious Heritage Museum – it’s free, well laid out, and everything is in French.
Tan Ky House – a beautiful mix of Vietnamese, Chinese, and Japanese architecture.
Duc An House – more authentic, and no touristy gift shop inside.
Quan Thang House – One of the Best Ancient Houses in Hoi An Without the Crowds
The Phuc Kien Assembly Hall – the largest and most impressive of them all.
The Quang Trieu Assembly Hall – beautifully decorated and often quieter than the others.

The Quan Thang House – One of the Best Ancient Houses in Hoi An Without the Crowds

Best Skipped If You’re Short on Time

Not all sites included in the old town ticket are worth your five entries. If you want to make the most of your pass, consider skipping these three:

The Tran Family Chapel: you’re barely given any information before being led into a shop to buy souvenirs or “lucky” trinkets. Feels more like a store than a historical visit.
The Sa Huynh Culture Museum: dusty display cases, poor presentation – only for hardcore archaeology fans.
The Hoi An Museum: while some items are interesting, the layout is confusing and lacks clear explanations. Not essential if you only have five tickets.

The Japanese Bridge

You simply can’t miss the Japanese Bridge when visiting Hoi An’s Old Town. It’s probably the city’s most iconic landmark, also known locally as Cau Chua Pagoda. Built in the late 16th century, it originally connected the Japanese and Chinese quarters of the city.

What makes it special is its traditional Japanese architecture and the roof, which was added to shelter people from the sun and rain – definitely useful in this part of the world. Inside, there’s a small shrine dedicated to Tran Bo Bac De, the god of weather, where sailors and locals once came to pray for protection from storms.

It’s a small bridge, but still worth a visit – especially early in the morning or in the evening when it’s less crowded.

Ancient Houses to Visit

If you’re into history, I really recommend visiting at least one traditional house during your stay. These homes are windows into Hoi An’s past, and some are still inhabited by descendants of the founding families. Here are a few I had the chance to explore:

Duc An House

129 Tran Phu, Hoi An – open daily from 8 AM to 9 PM

This one is still run by a direct descendant of the founding family, which is pretty rare. Unlike other places, there’s no souvenir shop or tourist setup here. The furniture is original, and everything is very well preserved. It was first a major bookstore, then a medical dispensary, and later even a political meeting place. It’s a simple but meaningful visit.

Tan Ky House

101 Nguyen Thai Hoc, Hoi An – from 8:30 AM to 5:45 PM

Probably the most famous old house in town. It dates back to the 18th century and was one of the first to be classified as a national heritage site. The architecture is a blend of Vietnamese, Chinese, and Japanese styles. The interior is well maintained, with a lovely traditional courtyard and antique furniture. You’ll also see an ancestral well that’s still in use.

Phung Hung House

4 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, Hoi An – from 8 AM to 6 PM

A typical example of a Hoi An merchant’s house, built in 1780. The ground floor was once used as a shop (for silk, spices, ceramics…) while the upper floor is still a family worship space. There are also historical documents about local trade, which is quite rare to find.

Quan Thang House

77 Tran Phu, Hoi An – from 9:30 AM to 6 PM

Built over 150 years ago, this house is a great example of Chinese merchant luxury. It belonged to a wealthy captain, and it shows: hand-carved wood, traditional architecture, and elegant yet simple decor. It’s a quick visit, but definitely worth a look.

Nguyen Tuong Family Chapel

8 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, Hoi An – from 8 AM to 5 PM

Less touristy, but just as interesting. Built in 1806, the chapel combines Vietnamese, Chinese, and Japanese architecture. It was commissioned by Nguyễn Tường Van, a royal general. The family still keeps historical relics and a small collection of rare books. There are a few souvenirs for sale, but it’s kept low-key.

Communal Houses: Places of History and Worship

As you explore the old town of Hoi An, you’ll likely come across a few communal houses. These aren’t exactly temples, but rather local gathering places used for worship, administration, and community events. Some also hosted cultural or religious ceremonies. Two are definitely worth a visit in the historic center.

Cam Pho Communal House

52 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, Hoi An

Built over 200 years ago and restored in 1817, this communal house was designed in the shape of a Chinese character (when seen from above). It features a large central courtyard and a striking banyan tree at the entrance. It’s a humble but peaceful spot, and much less touristy than other landmarks which makes it a nice stop during your visit.

Minh Huong Communal House

14 Tran Phu, Hoi An – open from 7 AM to 9 PM

Founded by Chinese settlers in the 18th century to honor their ancestors, this house has been restored several times. At the time, these settlers became Vietnamese citizens to be allowed to continue their ancestral worship. The architecture reflects this unique Sino-Vietnamese blend, both in style and spirit.

Chinese Assembly Halls: The Community Temples

These assembly halls were built by various Chinese communities (Cantonese, Fujian, Hainan, Chaozhou…) who immigrated to Hoi An. They were used as gathering places for prayer, trade, and preserving cultural traditions.

All of them can be visited with the Hoi An Old Town ticket pass. They’re all located along Tran Phu Street, easy to explore on foot.

Quang Trieu Assembly Hall (Cantonese)

176 Tran Phu, Hoi An – 7 AM to 6 PM

Built in 1885 by Cantonese merchants, this hall stands out with its bright colors, dragon statues, and a peaceful inner courtyard. Despite the crowds outside, it feels calm and reflective. A great introduction to Chinese religious architecture.

Phuc Kien / Fukian / Fujian Assembly Hall

46 Tran Phu, Hoi An – 8 AM to 5 PM

Probably the largest and most impressive of them all. It was later converted into a temple dedicated to Thiên Hậu, the sea goddess who protects sailors. Inside, you’ll find rich decorations, statues, a pond, and multiple altars, including one for the 12 midwives and another for the god of wealth. If you can only visit one, make it this one.

Trieu Chau Assembly Hall (Chaozhou)

157 Tran Phu, Hoi An – 8 AM to 5 PM

More modest in appearance, but worth visiting for its incredible woodwork. Built in 1887, it honors a water god. There’s also a small water garden inside that’s well worth a look. A bit quieter than the others, perfect if you like architectural details.

Hai Nam Assembly Hall

10 Tran Phu, Hoi An – 8 AM to 5 PM

Built in 1851 to commemorate 108 Hainanese merchants who were mistakenly killed and later honored as martyrs. The place is rich in symbolism, with traditional Chinese architecture, golden calligraphy, red lanterns, and a quiet garden courtyard. A peaceful spot to take a break from the busy streets.

Museums to Visit in Hoi An

If you’re curious about local history, I really recommend visiting at least one or two museums while you’re in Hoi An. Most of them are managed by the Heritage Preservation Center, and are included in the Hoi An Old Town entrance ticket, except for one, which is free.

Precious Heritage Museum

26 Phan Boi Chau Street, Hoi An – Open daily from 8 AM to 8 PM

entree musee precious heritage hoi an rehahn

This one’s unique. It’s not part of the official Old Town ticket, but entrance is free. Created by French photographer Réhahn, it features beautiful portraits of Vietnam’s ethnic minorities, traditional costumes (including the Cotu), and personal stories. The exhibit is in French and English, and is well worth a visit if you’ve got 30 minutes to an hour.

Hoi An Museum

10B Tran Hung Dao Street, Hoi An – Open daily from 7:30 AM to 5 PM

This is the most general of all. It covers 2,000 years of history, divided into three sections: cultural history, revolutionary era, and Hoi An’s post-war revival. Not very big, but gives you a good overview of the town’s past.

Museum of Trade Ceramics

80 Tran Phu Street, Hoi An – Open 8 AM to 5 PM (closed every 15th of the month)

Housed in a beautifully restored wooden building, this museum displays ceramics from the 16th to 19th centuries. It shows how important maritime trade was for Hoi An back then.

Folklore Museum

33 Nguyen Thai Hoc Street, Hoi An – Open 7 AM to 9:30 PM (closed every 20th of the month)

Located in a large traditional two-story house, this museum focuses on local crafts and daily life: fishing, weaving, and silkworm farming. Your Old Town ticket also includes live traditional music and dance performances, which makes the visit a bit more lively.

Sa Huynh Culture Museum

149 Tran Phu Street, Hoi An – Open 8 AM to 5 PM (closed every 10th of the month)

It’s a small museum, but interesting if you like archaeology. You’ll see artifacts from the Sa Huynh and Champa periods, some dating back to 1000 BC, tools, jewelry, weapons… It’s not very modern, and honestly, it’s the one I liked the least, but it’s still informative.

Temples and Pagodas to See in Hoi An

If you’re looking for a peaceful break and want to explore a bit more of Vietnam’s spiritual culture, I suggest visiting at least one temple or pagoda during your stay. Here are two spots you can easily reach on foot from the Old Town.

Quan Cong Temple

24 Tran Phu Street, Hoi An

This is one of the oldest and most symbolic temples in Hoi An, even if it’s quite small. It was built by Chinese merchants to honor Quan Cong, a legendary general known for his loyalty, righteousness, and courage.

The atmosphere is quiet, with an inner courtyard, a small pond, and Taoist symbols like the Yin-Yang surrounded by trigrams (water, fire, mountain, etc.). If you’re into Asian philosophy, it’s definitely worth a stop.

Inside, the main altar holds a large wooden statue of Quan Cong, surrounded by red pillars and golden inscriptions. The low lighting adds a bit of a mystical feel to the place.

Phap Bao Pagoda

Corner of Hai Ba Trung and Phan Chu Trinh Streets, Hoi An

A little away from the Old Town, Phap Bao Temple (also called Phac Hat Pagoda) is an active Buddhist temple, which means it’s free and open to everyone. Just make sure to dress modestly and remove your shoes at the entrance.

The exterior is striking, with guardian statues, a fountain, potted plants, and traditional rooftops adorned with dragons. The main prayer hall feels different from other temples in Hoi An, less red, more soft golds, and a calmer, more serene vibe.

It’s a great place to escape the crowds while still staying close to the center. Plus, there are some nice cafés nearby if you want to take your time.

Art and Cultural Spots to Discover in Hoi An

If you want a break from temples and old houses, you can check out a show or try a small creative workshop. Here are two places I visited, no sugarcoating.

Hoi An Traditional Art Theater

39 Nguyen Thai Hoc, Hoi An – Showtimes: 10:15 – 15:15 – 16:15

musee traditional art performance hoi an

This small theater lets you use one ticket from your Old Town pass to attend a traditional performance. It’s not very long, but you sit right next to the artists, and it’s a great way to get a glimpse of Vietnamese folk music and dance.

The shows are lively, sometimes funny, and the costumes are worth seeing. They often draw inspiration from local legends and iconic objects from Hoi An.

If you enter via 66 Bach Dang Street, you’ll walk through a traditional mask workshop. You can buy a mask or even paint your own for a small extra fee.

Xứ Đàng Trong

9 Nguyen Thai Hoc, Hoi An

This place used to be known for performances, but there are no regular shows anymore. However, if you’re curious or enjoy hands-on activities, you can make a lantern, paint a mask, or try henna body art.

It’s a large, charming wooden building, and the team also sells handmade souvenirs. Not a must-do, but a nice, relaxing activity if you’ve got a bit of free time.

Ba Mu Temple Gate

675 Hai Ba Trung, Hoi An

This is easily one of the most photogenic spots in Hoi An, especially since the gate was renovated. If you love taking photos, you’ll want to stop here, day or night.

The Ba Mu Temple was founded in 1626 and later moved to its current location, just outside the Old Town. It was once a huge complex dedicated to multiple deities: the sea goddess Mazu, a medical deity, 12 midwives, and 36 generals. Today, only the main gate remains, recently rebuilt but that’s more than enough to make it one of Hoi An’s top Instagram spots.

Behind the red-and-gold gate, there’s a lotus pond and a symmetrical structure with four openings. The whole thing was restored in 2018, with a moon-shaped symbol at its center. It still has a very majestic presence.

If you go in the evening, the soft lighting brings out the colors and creates beautiful reflections in the water. Great time for photos with fewer crowds.

Tran Family Chapel

21 Le Loi, Hoi An

I’m mentioning the Tran Family Chapel because it’s one of Hoi An’s officially recognized heritage homes. But honestly, I wouldn’t recommend it.

It sounds promising on paper, over 220 years of history, traditional architecture, and some antiques. But once you’re there, it’s all about selling souvenirs.

In less than five minutes, they’ll give you a quick talk about the building, and then walk you into a shop to try and sell you trinkets, antiques, or “lucky coins.” It doesn’t feel like a real visit more like a pretext to get you to spend money.

If you’re interested in visiting an old house in Hoi An, there are far better options.

My Opinion

Visiting the temples, pagodas, and old houses of Hoi An isn’t just about ticking off a list of landmarks. It’s about diving into the history of a unique town shaped by Vietnamese, Chinese, and Japanese influences.

Take the time to explore at least a few sites with your Old Town ticket. If you’re short on time, I recommend starting with Tan Ky House, Phuc Kien Pagoda, and the Precious Heritage Museum. These alone will give you a solid feel for the soul of the Old Town.

Got more time? Wander the alleys, push open doors, chat with the caretakers. Some places may feel a bit worn, others a bit too touristy… but there’s always a detail, a story, or a face that makes it worth it.

Enjoy your discovery of Hoi An.