We arrived in the Hoi An area planning to stay for one month, this extended to two, we loved it so much! These are our top picks for families in this vibrant area!
- LANTERN MAKING Hoi An is known for its colourful lanterns so learning how they are made and doing this process yourself, is an unforgettable experience. We booked a class to make a foldable lantern from scratch. Our materials were laid out for us when we arrived and the friendly lantern makers were very hands on (particularly with the kids!) We got to choose our material and tassle from the numerous vibrant patterns and designs. It was amazing to start our lantern with one piece of bamboo and finish with a colourful lantern to hang in our home one day. Some parts of the process were difficult for our kids (6 and 8) but the staff were always on hand to assist. Worried about getting it home? The lanterns are designed to fold easily so they can fit in your suitcase!
- AN BANG BEACH We stayed in this little beachside village and would do so again, in a heartbeat! The beach is great for a swim, has umbellas (for a small fee or purchase from the restaurant) and mainly clean sand for the kids to play in. There are so many dining choices right along the beach, our favourites being Luna for authentic Italian, Seascape for chilled out vibes and Soul Bar for cocktails and live music.
- THE MARBLE MOUNTAINS These mountains lie down the road from An Bang Beach in Danang. It’s an interesting experience with a series of cave systems with temples built into them. There’s a lower cave with interesting off-shoots where you can descend into ‘hell’ or rise (climb up small steep rock stairs) to ‘heaven.’ Note, if you’re travelling with small children you may want to skip the ‘hell’ part or risk nightmares! You can also take the elevator to the top level where you can walk through many temple and cave areas. I suggest this level is really only for people who can handle a lot of stairs and try to visit in the early morning or late afternoon as the midday sun may be too much! We did it on our own but it would be helpful to have a bit of history and context to some of the sites you see. You can book tours to discover Marble Mountains.
- ROOFTOP POOLS This is a great accompaniment to a hot and sweaty day at Marble Mountains! There are a number of rooftop pools open to the public in Da Nang, overlooking the beach and Da Nang skyline. We visited Vivid Bar and Pool which is part of the Radisson Hotel, they provide towels and a bathroom to wash up. It felt so good to relax with a well-deserved cocktail and watch the sunset. A perfect end to the day!
- MY SON This was the only day tour we took from Hoi An and we were glad we did. It was a relief to be picked up from our accommodation and relax in an air conditioned van as we drove to our first stop, a local home to learn how to make rice paper. This was a highlight for our kids and was a great hands-on experience to break up the car journey. Continuing on to the UNESCO World Heritage site, My Son, we enjoyed walking through the cluster of 4th to 14th century Hindi temples with our fantastic guide. We also enjoyed a traditional Cham dance performance. Upon return to Hoi An we stopped by a local home for an authentic Vietnamese lunch and later swapped our van for a traditional boat, arriving into Hoi An town on the Thu Bon River. Book your tour here.
- VIETNAMESE COOKING CLASS This was one of our highlights from the two months in Hoi An. The lovely family-run business was well worth the money and we were lucky enough to have a private class which was ideal with two young kids using knives! The cooking class is held outdoors under a bamboo roof along the river and next to the family’s working restaurant. Such a unique environment to learn how to make fragrant Vietnamese dishes! We created BBQ shrimp/chicken in wrapped banana leaf (our daughter’s favourite), Vietnamese pancake with dipping sauce (my favourite), Green Papaya and Mango salad and Eggplant Hotpot. Of course we got to sit and enjoy the peaceful surroundings while eating these amazing dishes for lunch, made using organic produce from their garden. The added bonus to this cooking class is that they take you out on the river in a basket boat (without all the tourist crowds!). See this experience in action
- DRAGON BRIDGE If you’re visiting Da Nang make sure you do it on the weekend as you don’t want to miss this is impressive sight, the 2,185 foot bridge shaped like an undulating golden dragon over the Han River. On Saturday and Sunday nights at 9pm the dragon comes to life with a spectacular fire and water show. Be sure to get there early to get a good position as it does get very crowded.
- HOI AN AT NIGHT Hoi An is famous for its colourful nightly lantern display, so much so that there’s a horde of tourists that visit to witness this spectacle. I would suggest visiting during the day if you hate crowds, but the night does have a certain charm as the sun goes down and people feel like emerging from indoors. We chose to eat outside of the main river area, our recommendations are Little Paris and Pause and Enjoy, afterwards we would stroll along shops and markets admiring the lanterns. A word of warning, the bridge and river area can be really crowded which can take away from the beauty of it unfortunately.
- BAMBOO CIRCUS This performance combined culture, history and acrobatics and was one of a kind. We particularly enjoyed the tribal music and singing. I’d recommend it for your kids if they can sit still in a dark space for at least one hour. It was held in a beautiful air conditioned, domed theatre and was a great escape from the afternoon heat! Book your tickets here.
- DRIFTWOOD VILLAGE I loved the design of this space featuring local artists’ handmade wooden pieces. It offers an intimate market which was a lovely community and family-friendly event. Held twice a month, the Interactive Art Fair showcases local artists offering workshops, combined with food stalls and live music. Our kids made dream catchers, a paper rose bouquet and a hand-chiseled wood carving. They serve alcohol in the bar so it’s a great chill out afternoon spot! They also offer private tours of the village, book your tickets here.
See our visual diary of Hoi An and the surrounding area. We love its unique charm and the people are so kind and welcoming. We hope you enjoy it as much as we do!
