Hoi An Night Market: Street Food Tour & Ancient Town Walk

Summary

Hoi An after dark—street food, laughter & the glow of lanterns

You’ll wander Hoi An’s ancient streets at night with a local guide, tasting banh mi from a hidden bakery and rolling pulled pork in rice paper at lively market stalls. Savor chicken rice and delicate white rose dumplings before ending with Vietnamese coffee or beer by the river—lanterns glowing all around. Every step feels like part of Hoi An’s nightly rhythm.

What’s the experience like?

We ducked under the first string of lanterns just as the night air started to cool. Our guide, Minh, waved us over with a grin and handed out tiny bottles of water—he joked we’d need them once the chili hit. The streets around Hoi An Ancient Town were humming but not rushed; scooters zipped past, and somewhere close by someone was frying garlic (I swear you could smell it before you saw the stall). I kept thinking how different everything looked at night—colors felt deeper, the river lights almost too bright to be real.

The first stop was this bakery tucked behind a yellow wall—I nearly missed it. Minh ordered banh mi for us, and I tried saying “cam on” (thank you) to the baker. She smiled so wide I probably said it wrong. The bread was crusty and warm, stuffed with pork and herbs that tasted way fresher than anything back home. We ate standing up, elbows bumping as people squeezed past, then wandered through the market where vendors called out prices and kids darted between stalls selling dragonfruit and sticky rice sweets.

I didn’t expect to laugh so much over pulled pork wrapped in rice paper—Minh showed us how to roll it tight, but mine fell apart anyway. He just shrugged and said that’s how you know it’s homemade. We sat down later for chicken rice and those white rose dumplings (delicate little things), all while Minh told stories about his grandma’s cooking. There was this moment when everyone went quiet except for the clink of chopsticks—honestly, I still think about that silence sometimes.

The tour ended at a bar near the river where we tried Vietnamese coffee (strong enough to keep you up until sunrise) or beer if you wanted. Lanterns floated by outside. It wasn’t fancy or anything—just good food, easy company, and Hoi An showing off after dark. Hard to explain exactly why it stuck with me but yeah… I’d do this again in a heartbeat.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Evening food and walking tour

• Meet guide at designated point
• Visit local bakery for bahn mi
• Feast on pulled pork in rice paper
• Browse stalls at Hoi An market
• Enjoy Vietnamese specialties at restaurant
• Conclude with coffee and beer at bar

Top questions

What foods are included on the Hoi An night market street food tour?

You’ll try banh mi from a local bakery, BBQ pulled pork rolled in rice paper, chicken rice, white rose dumplings, plus dessert.

Is this Hoi An food tour guided?

Yes, you’ll be led by an English-speaking local guide throughout the evening.

How many people are on each tour?

The group is limited to 12 people for a more personal experience.

Does the tour include drinks?

You get one bottle of water plus your choice of one beer or one Vietnamese coffee at the end.

Where does the street food tour take place?

The tour explores Hoi An Ancient Town’s markets and restaurants after sunset.

Is transportation included in this Hoi An night market tour?

No hotel pickup is included but public transportation options are nearby for easy access to the meeting point.

Are vegetarian options available?

The main dishes feature meat; check directly with your guide for any dietary needs before booking.

What time does the street food tour start?

The experience begins in early evening to avoid daytime heat and enjoy illuminated landmarks.

What’s included

Your evening includes all listed street foods like banh mi, pulled pork rolls, chicken rice, white rose dumplings with dessert; one bottle of water; your choice of beer or Vietnamese coffee at a riverside bar; plus guidance from an English-speaking local who knows every shortcut through Hoi An Ancient Town’s night markets.