Hoi An Old Town: Backstreet Food Walk & Family Factories

Summary

Walk Hoi An’s quiet lanes taste Cao Lau learn noodle secrets

You’ll wander Hoi An’s backstreets with a local guide, tasting fresh bean sprouts and handmade Cao Lau noodles straight from family factories. Meet locals who shape daily life here, sample 5–7 Vietnamese treats with Chinese or French twists, and finish with coffee or tea in a favorite spot — all while learning stories you won’t find on your own.

What’s the experience like?

There was this sharp smell of bean sprouts the moment we ducked off the main street in Hoi An — not bad, just earthy and kind of sweet, like rain on old bricks. Our guide, Li, waved us over to a tiny doorway where an older woman was rinsing something in a metal bowl. “This is my aunt,” she said, laughing as her aunt grinned at us with only two teeth but a lot of energy. I tried to say hello in Vietnamese and got it completely wrong; Li’s aunt just patted my arm anyway. We watched her spin the sprouts by hand — it looked so easy until I tried it myself (my hands still smelled faintly green hours later). That’s when I realized how much these family businesses shape the day-to-day here.

We kept weaving through alleys — some so narrow my backpack scraped yellow walls — and stopped at what Li called the “oldest Cao Lau noodle spot.” The steam inside hit me right in the face, all star anise and pork broth. I’d heard about Cao Lau before but never tasted it like this: chewy noodles, smoky pork, crunchy greens. There was this moment when everyone went quiet around the table except for slurping noises and someone’s phone buzzing. It felt almost sacred (or maybe we were just hungry). After that came more stops than I could count: a market stall where a woman pressed rice crackers by hand, another place with French-style pastries that somehow fit right in.

Along the way Li pointed out rooftops shaped like Japanese bridges and doors painted red for luck — she told stories about old traders mixing their cultures here, which made me look at every building differently. At one point we walked past her family temple; incense drifted out in thin lines and mixed with the smell of frying garlic from somewhere nearby. The weather was sticky but not too hot, just enough to make cold bottled water taste amazing. By the time we reached Li’s favorite café (she insisted on buying us coffee), I felt like I’d been let into someone else’s childhood memories for an afternoon.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Old Hoi An and local flavors

• Walk through backstreets
• Visit local family businesses
• Learn organic bean sprout production
• See Cao Lau noodle factory
• Taste local specialties
• Walk local trails to family temple
• Discover market life and architecture
• Learn cultural influences on Hoi An
• Enjoy 5-7 local food treats
• Have relaxing drink at favorite spot

Top questions

How long does the Hoi An food walk last?

The walk around the outskirts is about an hour before starting the food tasting portion.

Are vegetarian or vegan options available?

Yes, vegetarian and vegan options are available if requested.

Is hotel pickup included for this tour?

The tour includes pickup; air-conditioned vehicle is provided.

How many food tastings are included?

You’ll enjoy about 5–7 different local Vietnamese treats during the tour.

Is this tour suitable for children or infants?

Infants can ride in a pram or stroller and must sit on an adult's lap.

Will we visit any markets during the tour?

Yes, you’ll stop at local markets to see daily life and try foods.

Does this Hoi An food tour include drinks?

Bottled water is included throughout plus coffee or tea at the end.

Can people with limited mobility join this walk?

The tour requires moderate physical fitness; not recommended for those with spinal injuries or poor cardiovascular health.

What’s included

Your day includes pickup by air-conditioned vehicle, bottled water along the way, several tastings of Vietnamese dishes influenced by Chinese and French cuisine (including handmade Cao Lau noodles), plus coffee or tea at a favorite local café before heading back.