Have you tried cycling around Hoi An? A bike ride through Hoi An’s travel map
Hoi An, the ancient city quietly resting by the Thu Bon River, has long been a popular tourist destination due to its rustic beauty, simplicity, and unique cultural values. It is even referred to as “the most beautiful picture” in Asia by CNN and is recognized as a World Cultural Heritage site by UNESCO.
Your journey to explore Hoi An will be even more complete if you travel by bicycle. Rolling along narrow streets, weaving through ancient neighborhoods, you will have the chance to fully immerse in the peaceful rhythm of local life and admire old moss-covered houses, curved rooftops, and roads filled with the scent of ripe rice. Here are some tips for exploring Hoi An’s travel map by bike—perfect if you want to “touch” the ancient town in this special way!
When is the best time to cycle around Hoi An’s ancient town?
Hoi An, with its charming and romantic streets, has become even more appealing with the sight of bicycles cruising through its lanes. Since 2021, the city has started to transform into the “town of bicycles,” creating a peaceful and environmentally friendly space. The restriction on motorcycles and cars not only enhances safety but also allows tourists to fully enjoy the unique beauty of the ancient town.
The ideal time to cycle in Hoi An starts early in the morning, with the soft glow of sunrise filling the streets (before 6 AM is the best). If you can’t wake up that early, the hours between 9:00 AM and 11:00 AM are also perfect for leisurely rides down streets like Nguyen Phuc Chu, Tran Phu, Nguyen Hue, or Cong Nu Ngoc Hoa, where you can experience the simple, everyday bustle of the ancient town. As the sun rises, the streets get busier, but thanks to the ban on motorbikes, the roads retain their tranquility, offering great opportunities for unique food experiences and shopping.
In the afternoon, from 4:00 PM onwards, is also an ideal time to continue your exploration. Pedestrian streets like Phan Chu Trinh come alive with sparkling lights and lively chatter. The sunset view by the Hoai River and the roadside eateries serving traditional dishes create a picture-perfect, enchanting Hoi An scene.
Cycling in Hoi An is not just a way to get around but a chance to immerse in the slow-paced, peaceful rhythm of the old town. Every street, every corner holds a story waiting for those who love Hoi An to explore and experience.
Exploring Hoi An’s Ancient Town on Two Wheels
Visiting Ancient Houses
Hoi An’s ancient town, part of the city, spans just 60 km², making it small enough for tourists to explore by bike. The streets here are rich in history, with centuries-old landmarks, narrower than the modern parts of the city. According to Travelsense, visitors can easily navigate the ancient town by bike without worrying about traffic jams during peak hours, adding a unique charm to the travel experience. Cycling through the old town not only opens the door to discovering its unique architecture but also offers a gentle and comfortable way to explore, minimizing any leg fatigue. Some century-old houses worth visiting include:
- Tan Ky Ancient House – 101 Nguyen Thai Hoc, Minh An Ward, Hoi An
- Tran Family Chapel – 21 Le Loi, Minh An Ward, Hoi An
- Phung Hung Ancient House – 4 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, Minh An Ward, Hoi An
- Duc An Ancient House – 129 Tran Phu, Minh An Ward, Hoi An
- Quang Thang Ancient House – 77 Tran Phu, Minh An Ward, Hoi An
- Diep Dong Nguyen Ancient House – 80 Nguyen Thai Hoc, Minh An Ward, Hoi An
- Thai Phien Ancient House – 104 Thai Phien, Minh An Ward, Hoi An
Vibrant Bougainvillea
No trip to Hoi An is complete without seeing the vibrant bougainvillea that adds a romantic and poetic touch to the ancient streets. Bougainvillea, simple and rustic, yet full of vitality, has become a signature flower of Hoi An. Unlike other places, bougainvillea in the ancient town is not planted in pots but is allowed to grow down the rooftops and house facades, creating beautiful “flower curtains” that add life to the streets.
The bougainvillea in Hoi An is typically a bright pink, but can also blend with white, creating a harmonious and eye-catching scene. Whenever the wind blows, the petals gently flutter as if greeting visitors. To capture the best photos with the flowers, consider visiting streets with lush bougainvillea, such as Tran Phu, Bach Dang, or Phan Chu Trinh.
Bougainvillea not only adds beauty but also symbolizes good luck, wealth, and happiness, making it an essential part of your Hoi An cycling journey.
Check-in at Hoi An’s Icons
Besides exploring ancient houses, tourists can also check off landmarks from their Hoi An travel map by cycling to some of the town’s iconic spots, such as:
- Japanese Bridge (Chua Cau): A symbol of Hoi An, built in the 17th century with a unique architectural blend of Vietnamese and Japanese styles.
- Hoai Riverbank: A perfect place to enjoy the beautiful views of Hoi An’s ancient town.
- Aging Yellow Walls: Seek out houses with aged yellow walls and green or brown wooden windows, perfectly blending into the surroundings. A good spot for photos is at the Faifo Café, where you’ll find a lovely golden alley across from it.
- Lantern Street: A must-see at night when hundreds of colorful lanterns hang everywhere, creating a magical, unique atmosphere.
- Charming Cafes: The cafes in Hoi An are designed with traditional architecture, using vintage items like ceramics, which create a warm, nostalgic ambiance.
Hoi An Bike Tours
If you’re unsure about how to explore Hoi An’s travel map, don’t worry! Hoi An Memories Land offers two exciting bike tours that you can try:
Self-guided One-Hour Bike Route – The Green Path
Just 5 to 10 minutes from the ancient town, you’ll escape the hustle and bustle and immerse yourself in the peaceful atmosphere of rural Hoi An. This easy route is suitable for all ages, including children. Starting from Ly Thai To Street, you’ll cycle through rice fields, reach Cam Ha village, and then return via Hai Ba Trung Street, one of Hoi An’s main roads.
When you reach Cam Ha village, don’t forget to visit the imposing Vạn Đức Temple. If you’re lucky, a local might guide you through the temple.
As you continue, you’ll pass by Jeep Club Café, the perfect stop to enjoy a refreshing drink and beat the heat of the sun. From here, you can either turn right to explore smaller lanes or continue along the main road.
The ride ends at Sessions Under the Bridge, a bar and restaurant by the river. Here, you can either turn left to reach An Bang Beach (just 5 minutes away) or turn right to return to the Ancient Town.
Along the way, you’ll be able to admire vast rice fields, the simple homes of locals, and children playing on porches. You might also catch glimpses of fishermen casting nets or boats drifting on the water.
Tip: Start your ride around 3:30 PM to enjoy the stunning sunset over the Thu Bon River. You’ll also avoid the midday heat and have more time for photos.
For the True Cyclists – The Yellow Path
This bike tour takes you away from Hoi An’s ancient town, offering stunning views from the top of Cua Dai Bridge. You’ll then wind through local villages and the countryside, where cows and water buffalo graze peacefully in the fields.
This route is longer than the previous one but remains mainly flat. Starting from Hoi An’s Ancient Town, you’ll follow the riverbank and cross Cua Dai Bridge. From here, head upstream toward the west, crossing several bridges until you reach Cam Kim. Afterward, you can easily cycle back to An Hoi and then to Hoi An’s center.
You can follow the suggested route or freely explore bridges using Google Maps: Cua Dai Bridge → Truong Giang Bridge → Duy Thanh Bridge → Thu Bon Bridge → Cam Kim Bridge. From here, you can head to any destination you like in the town.
Advice:
- It’s best to cycle in the late afternoon (around 2-3 PM) to experience the lively rhythm of local life. You may encounter schoolchildren singing and dancing after class.
- The people of Hoi An are very friendly and open. You might come across locals gathered for a game of Chinese chess or enjoying music from portable speakers.
How much does it cost to rent a bike to explore Hoi An?
Both tourists and locals love using bicycles to explore the ancient town, and it’s common to see bikes everywhere on the streets of Hoi An. So, you don’t have to worry about finding a bike when you visit. Many rental shops are offering affordable bike rentals. Most hotels and homestays in the area provide free bike rentals or offer discounted prices for their guests.
The rental price for a bike in Hoi An typically ranges from 20,000 to 40,000 VND per day. With such an affordable price, you can comfortably explore the ancient town without spending too much. If you stay at the Hoi An Memories Resort & Spa on Hoi An Memories Island, the resort offers free bike rentals for guests to explore the ancient town.
READ MORE:
- Top 5 Amazing Cities for Cycling in Vietnam
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- Vietnam Ranks Among the Top 20 Most-Loved Countries Globally by Tourists
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