Meaning “peaceful meeting place” in Sino-Vietnamese, this coastal city was once a prolific port with a strong textile industry, as evidenced by the series of canals weaving inland. It’s still a mainstay of tailoring services, with many coming here to have bespoke suits and clothing made to measure. There’s much visual contrast to be enjoyed as you wander the streets and lanes of Hoi An; Chinese wooden shophouses and temples mingle with French colonial buildings, Vietnamese tube houses and a famed Japanese Covered Bridge with its pagoda. Be sure to catch a water puppet show and taste some authentic local dishes while you’re in town too.
Four Seasons Resort The Nam Hai
Perched on the perfect white sands of Hà My Beach, this exotic property is surrounded by lush tropical gardens with over 4000 coconut trees. Guests are accommodated across 100 villas, some with pools, private courtyard entrances, butler-service and spacious outdoor areas. The world-class resort offers many activities with children’s programmes, a cookery school, tennis courts, a library and watersports. The Heart of the Earth Spa has treatment rooms perched on lily ponds and a paradisical infinity-edge pool is flanked by palms and loungers. There are multiple dining options, including Asian tapas, fusion cuisine, seafood and theme nights.
Anantara Hoi An Resort
Beside the Thu Bon River, the Anantara Hoi An Resort is a low rise development. Each of the 94 bedrooms has space for two adults and two children, with its own balcony or terrace including an outdoor daybed, a living area and original Rehahn artworks; the colour palette employs bright teals, whites, greys and dark wood. The brand provides personalised spa and wellness journeys and river cruises offered from the hotel’s private jetty. The main restaurant overlooks the water, but guests can also eat at art space (a modern bistro cooking up wood-fired pizzas), in the private dining pavilion, take breakfast at Lanterns and enjoy light bites at the pool bar.
Palm Garden Resort Hoi An
This suburban resort benefits from its own private area of the beach and is surrounded by vast landscaped gardens with over 400 types of palm (hence the name). Pretty teak wooden bridges pass over large lily pad covered ponds and the soft green grass runs all the way down to the sand. Guests are accommodated in 216 rooms and bungalows – all with balconies or terraces – displaying an ancient architectural style. All bookings include daily breakfast at the Terrace Restaurant, welcome drinks, flowers and treats, as well as access to a free shuttle into town. Table sports and tennis can be played onsite and there’s a gorgeous swimming pool.
Victoria Hoi An Beach Resort and Spa
This resort echoes the experience of visiting the country’s leading UNESCO listed town, with Japanese, French and Vietnamese accents, little streets, ponds and accommodation finished with clay-tiled roofs. Interiors are colonially inspired, while the exterior revolves around a large pool, overlooking the ocean. International cuisine is served at L’Annam Restaurant, with live music in the Cham Bar, sports in the Elephant Bar and beachside refreshments in the Faifo Bar. Guests have access to complimentary bike and bodyboard hire, a kids’ club, airport transfers and sidecar rides into the ancient town.