Things to Do in Hoi An on a Rainy Day | Top activities

Hoi An in the Rain: Not as Bad as You Think

You’ve just arrived in Hoi An and it’s raining. Honestly, yes, it can be disappointing at first. You probably pictured bike rides through the rice fields, sunny beaches, and lanterns glowing at night… and now, everything’s wet.

But it’s not a disaster either. There are fewer people in the streets, less suffocating heat, and sometimes a calmer, almost timeless atmosphere.

So, what can you do in Hoi An when it rains? Actually, quite a lot. There are plenty of indoor activities worth checking out: cooking classes, museums, creative workshops, hidden cafés… and honestly, some experiences are even better in the rain.

Here are 7 ideas I’ve personally tried, to help you salvage or even enjoy a rainy day in Hoi An.

1) Visit the Precious Heritage Museum

This is hands down the best museum in Hoi An. And the best part? It’s entirely in French… and 100% free.

Housed in a former colonial building in the French Quarter, the museum spans 500 m². You can easily spend one to two quiet hours inside.

The visit is split in two parts. First, there’s a photo gallery showcasing the best work of Réhahn, a French photographer based in Hoi An. Some of his portraits have been featured in National Geographic, Géo, and Condé Nast Traveller, and it shows the images are powerful and stunning.

Then you move into the section about Vietnam’s ethnic groups. This is where it gets really fascinating. You’ll discover all 54 ethnic minorities, their traditional costumes, and everyday objects from their communities. It’s rich, educational, and easy to follow, even with kids aged 7 or 8 and up.

And recently, the museum added a children’s game: they have to find 10 hidden drawings around the space using a UV flashlight. It’s discreet, fun, and a smart way to keep them focused while learning.

• Address: 26 Phan Boi Chau Street, Hoi An
• Entrance: Free
• Suggested time: About 2 hours

A must-do, especially on a rainy day or when you need a quiet break.

2) Grab a Coffee

The second thing to do when it’s raining in Hoi An is simple: find a good café and stay dry. Luckily, there’s no shortage of great spots here.

One of my favorites is Mia Coffee (24 Phan Boi Chau), right next to the Precious Heritage Museum. It’s a real expat hangout, and for good reason: they roast their own beans on site, and honestly, it’s one of the best coffees in Hoi An.

If you’re already in the Old Town, I also recommend Chu An (136 Nguyen Thai Hoc). It’s well located, just two minutes from the Japanese Bridge, and the terrace is perfect for watching street life unfold, even in the rain.

And if you’re a digital nomad or just looking for a quiet place to work, head to SnapStay Coffee (16 Thai Phien). It’s probably the calmest café in Hoi An I know with reliable wifi, plenty of outlets, and zero distractions.

3) Take a Cooking Class

Rainy day in Hoi An? Perfect time to learn how to cook. If you’ve enjoyed Vietnamese food, you’ve probably thought: “I’d love to know how to make this myself.”

So yes, your outdoor plans might be on hold but take the opportunity to join a cooking class. It’s dry, fun, and hands-on, and you’ll go home with recipes you can actually use.

From what I’ve tested, Baby Mustard and Tra Que Water Wheel offer the best cooking classes in Hoi An. Both are located in the Tra Que vegetable village, and here, everything is fresh, local, and straight from the garden.

I’ve also written a full article about cooking classes in Hoi An if you want more details.

4) Make a Lantern

Tired of staring at the rain from your hotel window? Do something fun and creative: join a lantern-making workshop.

It’s one of the most popular activities in Hoi An, and it’s easy to see why. Lanterns are everywhere, walk a few minutes and you’ll understand why Hoi An is called the Lantern City. They’re hanging in the streets, on houses, cafés, temples… literally thousands of them.

I recommend the workshop run by Hoi An Discovery Tours. Unlike many others, here you build the lantern from scratch including assembling the frame, not just decorating or gluing silk on a ready-made base.

It’s a lot more satisfying than buying one off a market stand and kids love leaving with their own handmade lantern.

5) Get Tailor-Made Clothes

If it’s raining in Hoi An, it’s the perfect time to get some clothes tailor-made. The city is famous worldwide for custom tailoring, with over 200 tailors ready to create suits, dresses, shirts, or casual wear and often faster than you’d expect.

Prices are very reasonable, especially considering that the quality meets international standards. Expect to pay between €90 and €280 for a tailored suit, depending on the fabric and finish.

Once you’ve chosen the style, fabric, and options, they take your measurements and deliver your clothes within a few days, or even within hours if you choose the express service.

• Average turnaround times:
  • Suit: 2 to 4 days
  • Simple clothes: sometimes in half a day
  • Express service available (extra cost)

From what I’ve tried, you can go with confidence to Be Be Tailor, A Dong Silk, Kimmy Tailor, or the more unique Mr Xe (my personal favorite).

It’s a practical, personalized activity, and a great way to spend your time when the weather’s not cooperating.

6) Treat Yourself to a Spa

Instead of wandering around in the rain, why not take a break and get a massage or some self-care? Whether it’s a body massage, foot massage, facial, herbal steam bath, sauna, manicure, waxing, or even a hair treatment, Hoi An has plenty of options.

When it’s pouring outside, nothing beats relaxing and taking care of yourself. It’s also a great way to unwind, especially if you’ve been moving around a lot.

In Vietnam and especially in Hoi An, spa prices are very affordable. But be careful: spas have been popping up like crazy over the past two years, and quality really varies. Sometimes it’s a family member with no training giving massages.

To avoid disappointment, I recommend Citrus Spa (180 Ly Thai To). It’s clean, professional, and they use 100% natural products. A 60-minute traditional Vietnamese massage costs 360,000 VND (around €14.50), and it’s worth every dong.

7) Learn to Make Authentic Vietnamese Coffee

If you love Vietnamese coffee, why not learn how to make it yourself? It’s a short, original, and indoor activity, perfect for a rainy day in Hoi An.

During the coffee workshop, you’ll discover different local varieties, try out traditional methods (like the phin filter, egg coffee, condensed milk coffee…), and most importantly, you’ll learn the techniques to make real Vietnamese coffee at home. You leave with a solid understanding of ratios, tools, and often even your own phin filter.

Among the good options, I recommend the workshops offered by Hoi An Handicraft Tours, depending on the season. Expect to pay around 350,000 VND per person for a 2-hour session.

A tasty and educational break without getting wet.

8) Explore the Old Town in the Rain

If you don’t mind throwing on a raincoat, wandering the Old Town in the rain can be a great idea. The rain on the walls makes the famous Hoi An yellow stand out even more and honestly, it’s stunning.

The atmosphere is completely different. Fewer people, quieter streets, and you can really take your time and enjoy the place without the crowds.

And to be fair, most of your time is spent indoors anyway, ancient houses, temples, pagodas… so the rain isn’t that big of a deal. Just wear good shoes, take it slow, and you’ll be fine.

My Opinion

Sure, you don’t come to Hoi An for the rain, but honestly, it’s not the end of the world when it does rain. In fact, it’s a great opportunity to see the city differently with fewer crowds and a calmer, more peaceful atmosphere.

You just need to adjust your plans a little, grab a raincoat, and you’ll see there are plenty of things to do without forcing it.

Workshops, cafés, massages, museums, there’s more than enough to keep you busy. And sometimes, the best experiences are the ones you didn’t plan for.