Things to do in Hoi An

A good way to see both these neighbouring cities is this full-day tour. You’ll start by visiting Hoi An in the morning before going for lunch at a local restaurant in Danang. From there, enjoy the Museum of Cham Sculpture near the Han River before relaxing on golden Non Nuoc Beach. The Marble Mountains are a stone’s throw away, and you'll go inside them to discover fascinating temples, altars and sacred sites before heading back to Hoi An.

Discover the secrets of mouthwatering Vietnamese cuisine on this half-day cooking class at the Red Bridge Cooking School. Your first stop will be Hoi An's buzzing market – meet the market traders and pick up some of the ingredients that will be used later in the class. Board the Red Bridge boat for a sedate river cruise to the cookery school. On arrival explore the herb and vegetable garden before beginning your two-hour lesson. You'll be able to sit down at the end and eat what you've created.

A leisurely walking tour is the perfect way to explore this historic and enchanting riverside city. Hoi An was a successful port with its peak during the 18th Century, considered by merchants at the time as the best trading spot in South-East Asia. It has been superbly preserved, with Japanese, Chinese and Vietnamese-style architecture and a beautiful network of canals. Head to the vibrant market and see the 400-year-old Japanese Bridge that historically linked the Chinese and Japanese communities.

Depart from Hoi An for this full-day tour of Hué, Vietnam’s historic former imperial capital. After arriving you’ll board a traditional dragon boat and cruise down the romantic Perfume River to visit one of Hué's most celebrated religious buildings – Thien Mu Pagoda. Head for lunch at a local restaurant before visiting the elaborate mausoleums of Emperors Tu Duc and Khai Dinh, plus the spectacular Imperial Citadel where the Nguyen Dynasty ruled between 1802 and 1945.

Depart from Hoi An and journey southwest to My Son Sanctuary, the capital and religious centre of the former Champa Kingdom. This spectacular UNESCO World Heritage Site has dozens of red brick towers and temples, dating from between the 7th and 13th Centuries and dotted in a lush green valley. You'll then return to Hoi An.