Hoi An Old Town Ticket, Entrance Fees & Sites

Old Town Entrance Tickets

The Hoi An Old Town entrance ticket costs only 120,000 VND (5 USD) per person. So it’s a relatively low cost to visit the Old Town and its monuments. The fees go towards the maintenance and preservation of the city. Technically, the ticket is mandatory for entry to the Old Town. However, enforcement is inconsistent, and it is unlikely you will be asked to purchase one unless you are accompanied by a tour guide.

What Does The Hoi An Old Town Ticket Cover?

The ticket allows you walking access to the all the streets within the Hoi An Old Town district, and admission to a number of historic buildings, also referred to as sightseeing places, including heritage buildings, as well as museums and a theatrical performance. Therefore each ticket allows you entrance to five sightseeing places. After that, if you wish to visit more than five, you will need to purchase additional tickets. Most ticketed buildings or monuments will have official ticket collectors manning the entry.

When the ticket system was first introduced, tourists were expected to buy one ticket per person per day, for every day they spent in Hoi An’s Old Town. However, this being inconvenient and expensive for tourists, and difficult for the city to monitor, it’s now a common understanding that all visitors buy at least one ticket when they arrive in Hoi An, and this will be sufficient for the duration of their stay (even though the ticket states it is only valid for 24 hours).

Keep Your Hoi An Old Town Ticket With You At All Times

There may be times when you need to show your ticket at certain points around the city, or at different times of day. So it’s best to keep it on you even after you’ve used all your five sightseeing entries. However regular changes to regulations are very much the norm here and a part of everyday life in Vietnam. So, this could all change overnight and the ticket validity or requirements could change. Meaning it’s all a bit of a lottery, but nothing that needs to overwhelm you.

Hidden Hint: If you enter the Old Town with a Vietnamese guide or friend, expect to be stopped by ticket inspectors near the ticket stall entrances. The town Statute for Managing Tourist Activities in Hoi An City states tour guides are responsible for ensuring all visitors have a ticket.

Where to Buy Hoi An Old Town Tickets

Old Town tickets are only available for purchase at specific ticket stalls, and not at individual heritage sightseeing places. There are 11 ticket stalls located around the outskirts of Hoi An’s Old Town designated walking area. However they’re generally small yellow huts so, unfortunately, not so easy to spot. Primarily because they blend in with all the other yellow buildings and don’t have any clear writing or signage making them stand out. (For instance you may not even realise you’ve walked past one).

Locations of ticket stalls:

1. Nguyen Thi Minh Khai street and Hem 19 Hung Vuong street intersection, near Wellspring Cafe
2. Cong Nu Ngoc Hoa street, across the intersection from Cabanon restaurant
3. Duong Cao Hong Lanh street on An Hoi island, near Song Hoai Square Bridge
4. Duong Cao Hong Lanh street on An Hoi island, near An Hoi bridge
5. Phan Chu Trinh street and Hai Ba Trung street intersection
6. Tran Phu street (northwest end of the street), south of Phan Chu Trinh street intersection
7. Tran Phu street and Bach Dang street intersection, near the Japanese Bridge
8. Le Loi street and Tran Phu street intersection
9. Tran Phu street and Nguyen Hue street intersection
10. Tran Phu street and Hoang Dieu street intersection (Tourist Information Centre)
11. Bach Dang street and Hoang Van Thu street intersection

When you purchase a ticket, you should also receive a map indicating the location and sights around the Hoi An Old Town district.

Ancient Town Designated Areas

After being granted UNESCO heritage status, the city brought in a ticket system. This helps fund the restoration and upkeep of the designated heritage sights and buildings.

Hoi An was inscribed as a United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage Site in 1999 due to it being an extremely well-preserved example of a historic city. The Old Town contains numerous well-maintained heritage buildings, artifacts, documents, artworks, and shrines, that have been preserved to their near original condition.

Today, the Old Town area is the central hub of Hoi An and the location most tourists will visit. For instance the streets are picturesque with their historic yellow and wood buildings, whimsical hanging lanterns, and delightful narrow streets, as well as the many shops selling handcrafted wares. There is also an amazing range of restaurants and bars to suit everyone’s tastes.

However the designated Old Town area isn’t so clear when you’re physically walking the streets in Hoi An. So it’s not obvious where the Old Town begins or ends, or which streets are included.  Signs mounted in various locations around the town indicate the area. Town maps or brochures from the ticket stalls indicate it also. But one of the biggest signs of being in the designated areas is the lack of motorbikes.

Getting Around Hoi An’s Old Town

Travelling by bike or walking is the best way to explore the Old Town area. Because from 8:30 – 11 am and 3 pm – 9 pm (extended to 9:30 pm in summer) scooters and motorbikes are prohibited through the streets of the Old Town.  The streets are cordoned off with large, movable signs preventing vehicles from entering due to heavy foot traffic at these times.

Ticketed Sightseeing Places in Hoi An’s Old Town

The Centre for Culture and Sports of Hoi An City has deemed a number of heritage buildings and structures as sightseeing places that require ticket entry. So each Old Town ticket gives you access to five places. However note that opening hours differ between each place and many will close for lunch.

A number of these heritage buildings are private homes, assembly halls, temples, and museums. Traditional Vietnamese, Chinese, and Japanese, architectural styles and cultural values, can be seen throughout the historic structures in the Old Town, representing the city’s multi-ethnic history. For instance, oriental design philosophies often combined in one building, such as the triple beam structure, representing heaven, earth, and humans. Also the five blocks honouring the five natural elements—metal, wood, water, fire, and earth.

Old Houses

There a number of old houses in Hoi An, which are private family residences that have been well-preserved through the centuries and are now open to share with the public.

Trần Family’s Chapel

Address: 21 Le Loi – Hours: 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., daily

This is one of the oldest houses in Hoi An, built at the beginning of the 19th century by the Tran family. Originally commissioned by a prominent mandarin Tran Tu Nhac for worshipping family ancestors and honouring family traditions. The house, designed and built using traditional rules of Feng Shui, sits amongst a garden of ornamental plants, including fruit trees and flowers. The home contains relics and items of historical interest, such as an original sword and seal, and remaining in similar condition to two centuries ago.

Old House of Đức An

Address: 129 Tran Phu – Hours: 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., daily

The current owner is a direct descendant of the founding family, maintaining the home in superb condition. Keeping the original furnishings and antiques, but resisting the typical tourism approach of using the family home to sell souvenirs. The family has lived on the land for centuries, though the current structure was built in the 1850s. Early on, a prominent bookseller in the region, selling foreign philosophical texts, as well as local Vietnamese and Chinese literature. Later, used as a medicinal dispensary and a central meeting point for various political groups through the decades.

Nguyễn Tường Family’s Chapel

Address: 8 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai – Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., daily

This place of worship was built in 1806 and is a combination of Chinese, Japanese, and Vietnamese architectural styles. Commissioned by Nguyễn Tường Van, Headmaster of the Royal Army. Still maintained and managed by a descendant of Nguyễn Tường Van. Containing relics and historical items, a home to a selection of rare books, with souvenirs for sale.

Old House of Phùng Hưng

Address: 4 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai – Hours: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., daily

Built in 1780, the style is typical of a commercial house of the era when Hoi An was flourishing. The ground floor of the building used to be a shop space, trading in popular items such as silk, ceramics, and spices. The second floor of this building is still used as a space to worship ancestors. The building also holds many historical records documenting trade and business in the region throughout the decades.

Old House of Quân Thắng

Address: 77 Tran Phu – Hours: 9:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., daily

This private residence was home to well-to-do Captain Quân Thắng. Built over 150 years ago, this historic house is extremely well preserved. Many of the wooden beams and furniture throughout the building display details of incredibly skilled wood carving. Exhibiting traditional Chinese style architecture and decoration. A fantastic example of how wealthy merchants lived in previous centuries.

Old House of Tấn Ký

Address: 101 Nguyen Thai Hoc – Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 5:45 p.m., daily

This house is a great example of a typical merchant’s home in the 18th century and was one of the first three buildings to be certified as a national heritage building. The structure displays historical Chinese, Japanese, and Vietnamese styles of architecture, and has been well maintained over the centuries to preserve the original materials. There are four small areas in the house, including a traditional courtyard, which display many lovely antique items and furniture.

Museums

Managed by the Centre for Cultural Management and Preservation, each of the museums require an Old Town Entrance ticket to visit. Hoi An has four museums displaying a range of artefacts detailing the rich history of the region. For an in-depth review about Hoi An museums, click here.

Hoi An Museum

Address: 10B Tran Hung Dao Street – Business hours: 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily

The Hoi An museum is home to artefacts from the past 2,000 years. Organised into three areas: history and culture, revolutionary history, and Hoi An’s ascent from hardship.

Museum of Trade Ceramics

Address: 80 Tran Phu St. – Business hours: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; closed on the 15th of every month

The Museum of Trade Ceramics displays a collection of antique ceramics dating from the 16th to 19th centuries which are housed in a restored wooden building dating back to 1858.

Museum of Folklore

Address: 33 Nguyen Thai Hoc St. – Business hours: 7:00 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. daily; closed on the 20th of every month

This museum is within a large two-storey historic house and displays artefacts about traditional folk arts, handicrafts, fishing, weaving, and silkworm farming practices. The entry ticket also includes a performance of traditional Vietnamese folk dance and music.

Museum of Sa Huỳnh Culture

Address: 149 Tran Phu – Business hours: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily; closed on the 10th of every month

This small museum provides a glimpse into the lives of the ancient Sa Huynh and Champa cultures. In addition the museum exhibits a range of artefacts from 1000 B.C.E. to 300 A.C.E, including tools, jewellery, bowls, and weapons.

Temples & Pagodas

Quan Công Temple & Quan Am Pagoda

Address: 24 Tran Phu

Originally built in 1653, this temple honours Quan Cong, a high-profile mandarin of the Han Dynasty. Built as a place of worship, where merchants came and paid their respects to their ancestors, and prayed for luck. The temple is home to two 10-foot high statues, one representing Quan Cong and his adopted son, as well as many other detailed statues and ancient artworks. The building, with multiple rooms in traditional Chinese architectural style, has been kept in amazing condition over the centuries. It looks very much it would have originally looked.

Arts Centres

Hoi An Traditional Art Performance Theatre

Address: 39 Nguyen Thai Hoc – Hours: 10:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., daily – Showtimes: 10:15 a.m., 3:15 p.m., 4:15 p.m.

This small theatre holds live performances three times a day, showcasing a range of traditional folk dance and music. Your old town ticket allows you to attend one of the sessions using one of the five entries to sightseeing places. You watch the performances up close and enjoy traditional music while the performers reference various relics and legends of Hoi An.

Entering from 66 Bach Dang, you can admire the handicrafts at the Timing Masks workshop. Here traditional theatre masks are created and painted.  So try your hand at painting a mask for an extra fee. In addition, read our in-depth article on craft workshops here.

Xứ Đàng Trong

Address: 9 Nguyen Thai Hoc

Although listed in the information brochure, this venue no longer provides a ticketed performance experience. The building itself is large and traditional Vietnamese-styled with dark wood decor. In addition they sell designer wares and souvenirs, and for a fee, they conduct lantern making and mask painting workshops for those who may be interested. They also offer henna body art.

This bridge is one of the most popular attractions in Hoi An and is also known as Cau Chua Pagoda. Originally constructed in the 1590s, the bridge is a lovely example of traditional Japanese architecture. Built to connect the Japanese and Chinese quarters of the city. The roof on the bridge was added so the structure could also be used as a shield from both sun and rain. There’s also a shrine inside the bridge dedicated to the god of weather, Tran Bo Bac De, where sailors, merchants, and locals, came to worship against inclement weather and natural disasters.

Communal Houses

In previous centuries, communal houses were used in Hoi An as administrative centres and meeting places, as well as places of worship. Cultural activities held at communal houses,  sometimes included people from neighbouring villages. Making them important hubs of communication. The architecture and artefacts within the communal houses tell the story of cultural exchange and commercial business trading in the area. Hoi An has a number of communal houses, two of which have been classified as sightseeing places in the old town district.

Cẩm Phô Communal House / Cẩm Phô Temple

Address: 52 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai

Built in the shape of a Chinese character over 200 years ago and restored in 1817. This communal house has a large courtyard and magnificent Banyan tree. It is humble yet interesting and much quieter than the other attractions.

Minh Hương Communal House / House of Tụy Tiên Đường

Address: 14 Tran Phu – Hours: 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.

A communal house, built by Chinese settlers in the late 18th century to worship ancestors who founded the Minh Huong village has undergone restoration five times to the present day. Chinese people acquired Vietnamese citizenship in order to worship their heroic ancestors here.

Chinese Assembly Halls

When the Chinese migrated to Hoi An and other regions in Vietnam, they built assembly halls as places to conduct business, socialise, and keep Chinese traditions alive. Similarly they usually followed similar architectural design and layout. For instance including monumental gates, delightful gardens filled with ornamental flora, a large central hall, and an altar room honouring the particular gods and goddesses of that community. Likewise the buildings contain many antique items.  Elaborately decorated with murals, statues and ornate artwork. The four assembly halls, all along Tran Phu street, in Hoi An’s Old Town, are all ticketed sightseeing places.

Quang Trieu (Cantonese) Assembly Hall

Address: 176 Tran Phu – Hours: 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Built in 1885 by Cantonese merchants, this brightly decorated impressive ornate structure contains a peaceful courtyard, in stark contrast to the busy streets outside, and an impressive traditional dragon statue.

Phúc Kiến / Fukian / Fujian

Address: 46 Tran Phu – Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Constructed in 1757, this is one of Hoi An’s grandest and most famous assembly halls. Initially built for social reasons, then later changed into a temple in honour of the Fujian goddess of the sea, Thien Hau, who protects sailors from danger.

Triều Châu / Chaozhou Assembly Hall

Address: 157 Tran Phu – Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Constructed in 1887, this decorative assembly hall honours a water god.  In contrast to the other halls in the Old Town – it’s suitably understated –  but with some gems inside. The skill and craftsmanship of the woodwork is breathtaking. In addition there’s a delightful miniature water garden tucked away that’s worth hunting down.

Hải Nam / Hainan Assembly Hall

Address: 10 Tran Phu – Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Built in 1875, this assembly hall honours Chinese merchants mistaken for pirates and wrongfully killed; and, as a result, granted deity status.

Hidden Hoi An’s thoughts

In conclusion, Hoi An’s Old Town is essentially a walk-through museum. It requires constant maintenance and upkeep.  However this is not cheap, and with the number of tourists flocking to Hoi An, the small cost of a ticket goes a long way to preserving this lovely old town for future generations.

Hidden’s Pick of Historical Sites Covered in Hoi An’s Old Town Ticket

• The Japanese Bridge is a 16th-century gem,  a majestical beauty with an interesting history, don’t miss it.
• If you had to choose just one of the old houses go to Duc An’s – it’s the least touristy with the added bonus of a direct family member being on site.
• Cam Pho is our pick of the communal houses. Its understated design is intriguing plus it’s also quiet here, providing some respite from the crowds at other sites.
• We recommend you make it to the Hoi An Museum.  It has the best all-encompassing collection, and the 360-degree view from the top floor over Hoi An is stunning.

Above all, it’s quite remarkable how Hoi An has remained unchanged over the past couple of centuries, and that so many of these old structures and sites are still around for you to enjoy today.  So drift back to times past, surrounded by this fascinating mix of cultural architecture, which both tells the history of the town and acts as a perfect backdrop for some unforgettable holiday photographs. After that, submit your photographs to be part of Hidden Hoi An’s

To enjoy more beautiful sightseeing in Vietnam by your eyes, you can see some itineraries below Halong Bay Cruises – Hanoi Tours – Phu Quoc Tours – Vietnam Tours – Sapa Tours – Package Tours – or book a private car to Ha Giang to discover where ever you want to enjoy the Vietnamese taste.