Is Hoi An good for kids?

Yes. The Ancient Town is compact and largely walkable, and children usually love the lanterns, the boat rides on the Thu Bon River, basket boats in the coconut forest and simple local food like banh mi and chicken rice. Plan sightseeing for the cooler early morning and late afternoon.

When is the best time to visit Hoi An with children?

February to May is usually the most comfortable, with drier weather and warm but not extreme heat. June to August is hot, and October to December is the rainy season, when the river can rise and flood low-lying streets of the Ancient Town.

Where should a large group stay in Hoi An?

A private villa is usually easier than several hotel rooms. Anamoi Hoi An Pool Villa Riverside has 7 bedrooms for up to 16 guests, a pool and a riverside BBQ area, and is a 3-minute ride or about a 15-minute walk from the Ancient Town.

How do large groups get around Hoi An?

The Ancient Town is best explored on foot. For longer trips, book a private van that fits the whole group, or split into several 7-seat cars on the Grab app. Bicycles are a fun way for older children to reach the rice fields.

How far is Hoi An from Da Nang Airport?

Roughly 45 minutes to an hour by car. Book directly with Anamoi for 3 nights or more between 3 November 2026 and 31 January 2027 and your airport pickup to our Hoi An villa is free.

Hoi An Guide

Hoi An with Kids & Large Groups: Practical Travel Tips

By Ngo Thu Thuy (Jenny), founder of Anamoi Villa · Updated 4 Nov 2026

Hoi An is one of the easiest places in Vietnam to travel with family and friends: the Ancient Town is small and walkable, the food is simple and delicious, and there is plenty to keep children busy on and around the river. Travelling with ten or fifteen people — some of them small — still needs a little planning. These are the tips we share with the families and groups who stay with us.

The short answer

Go between February and May for the most comfortable weather, see the Ancient Town early in the morning and late in the afternoon, book one vehicle for the whole group for longer trips, and stay together in a private villa with a pool and a kitchen a short walk from the old town — so the kids can rest in the middle of the day while the adults relax.

When to go with children

February to May: usually the most comfortable months, with drier weather and warm but manageable heat.
June to August: hot and sunny — plan outings for mornings and late afternoons and keep the middle of the day for the pool.
October to December: the rainy season. The Thu Bon River can rise and flood the lower streets of the Ancient Town, so keep plans flexible and check the forecast.
Around Christmas, New Year and Tet: busy dates; larger villas for groups are booked first, so reserve early.

What kids love in Hoi An

Lanterns and a boat on the river

After dark the Ancient Town glows with silk lanterns, and a short boat ride on the Thu Bon River, where you can float a small paper lantern on the water, is a favourite with children. Hold small hands near the riverbank — the edges are open and the streets get crowded in the evening.

Basket boats in the coconut forest

A short drive from town, the coconut-palm waterways of Cam Thanh are famous for round bamboo basket boats. Rowers spin and splash them for fun, and most children think it is the best part of the trip.

Cycling to the vegetable village

Older children can cycle out to Tra Que, a village of vegetable gardens and herb fields, on quiet roads. It is an easy, flat ride and a good morning out before the heat builds.

A day at the beach

An Bang beach is a short drive from the old town, with beach restaurants and loungers. In the rainy season the sea can be rough, so only swim where it is calm and keep children close.

Making something to take home

Lantern-making workshops and Hoi An’s tailors are popular with families. Many groups order matching shirts or dresses for a family photo — ask how long the tailor needs, as this varies from shop to shop.

Getting around as a big group

On foot in the Ancient Town: streets are narrow and best explored walking. Agree a meeting point — for example the Japanese Covered Bridge — in case anyone gets separated.
One vehicle for longer trips: for day trips or the airport, a private van that fits everyone is easier than several taxis. Otherwise, split into 7-seat cars on the Grab app.
Strollers: a lightweight, foldable stroller or a baby carrier is easier than a large stroller on crowded old-town streets.
Split up in the evening: a big group moving together is slow at night. Let the energetic ones explore the night market while others head home early.
Stay connected: a group chat makes it easy to share pins and plans during the day.

Food the whole family will enjoy

Hoi An’s local dishes are a gentle introduction to Vietnamese food for children. These are places our team recommends to guests:

Banh Mi SUM (Tran Hung Dao Street) — Vietnamese baguette sandwiches, easy to take away for a picnic
Com Ga Hien (Hai Ba Trung Street) — Hoi An chicken rice, mild and filling; served from 4 PM
White Rose Restaurant (Hai Ba Trung Street) — delicate “white rose” dumplings that children usually love
Cao Lau Thanh (Thai Phien Street) — cao lau, the noodle dish you’ll only find in Hoi An

For a big group, booking a table ahead in the evening saves a long wait. Many families also enjoy at least one night in: a BBQ at the villa means the children can play while dinner cooks.

Staying together: a villa for families and groups

For a group with children, one house is far easier than several hotel rooms: a kitchen for snacks and early dinners, a place for naps, a pool for the hot afternoons, and room for the adults to sit together once the kids are asleep.

Anamoi Hoi An Pool Villa Riverside

Anamoi Hoi An Pool Villa Riverside is a river-view villa a 3-minute ride or about a 15-minute walk from the Ancient Town. The whole house is reserved for your group.

7 bedrooms, 8 beds and 6 en-suite bathrooms, for up to 16 guests
Baby cots and toys for young children, on request
A swimming pool, a pool table and a large-screen projector for family film nights
A riverside BBQ area and a fully equipped kitchen with a long dining table for the whole group
Washer-dryer and private parking
Check-in from 2:00 PM, check-out by 11:00 AM; quiet hours 9:00 PM to 7:00 AM
From 7,000,000 VND per night for the whole villa

Good to know for families: bedrooms are spread over three floors, so expect stairs, and the villa sits beside the river — please keep a close eye on young children around the water and the pool. Baby cots and toys for little ones are available — tell us your children’s ages when you book and we’ll have everything ready before you arrive.

Prefer the beach? Anamoi Jacuzzi Pool Villa in An Thuong, Da Nang

Indoor pool at Anamoi Jacuzzi Pool Villa in An Thuong, Da Nang

If your group would rather be near the sea, Anamoi Jacuzzi Pool Villa in An Thuong has 6 en-suite bedrooms for up to 12 guests, an indoor pool that works in any weather, a rooftop jacuzzi and a 100-inch TV, and is a 4–5 minute ride from My Khe beach. An elevator serving floors 1 to 4 makes it a good choice for grandparents and families with strollers. Hoi An is about 45 minutes away for a day trip. From 7,800,000 VND per night.

Booking direct

When you book directly at anamoivilla.com, early check-in and late check-out are free, subject to availability — very welcome after a long flight with children. For our Hoi An villa, stays of 3 nights or more booked between 3 November 2026 and 31 January 2027 also include free pickup from Da Nang Airport.

Still choosing an area? Read where to stay in Hoi An. Travelling on to the north or the islands? See where to stay in Hanoi with a large group and our Phu Quoc area guide.

Frequently asked questions

Is Hoi An good for kids?: Yes. The Ancient Town is compact and largely walkable, and children usually love the lanterns, the boat rides on the Thu Bon River, basket boats in the coconut forest and simple local food like banh mi and chicken rice. Plan sightseeing for the cooler early morning and late afternoon.
When is the best time to visit Hoi An with children?: February to May is usually the most comfortable, with drier weather and warm but not extreme heat. June to August is hot, and October to December is the rainy season, when the river can rise and flood low-lying streets of the Ancient Town.
Where should a large group stay in Hoi An?: A private villa is usually easier than several hotel rooms. Anamoi Hoi An Pool Villa Riverside has 7 bedrooms for up to 16 guests, a pool and a riverside BBQ area, and is a 3-minute ride or about a 15-minute walk from the Ancient Town.
How do large groups get around Hoi An?: The Ancient Town is best explored on foot. For longer trips, book a private van that fits the whole group, or split into several 7-seat cars on the Grab app. Bicycles are a fun way for older children to reach the rice fields.
How far is Hoi An from Da Nang Airport?: Roughly 45 minutes to an hour by car. Book directly with Anamoi for 3 nights or more between 3 November 2026 and 31 January 2027 and your airport pickup to our Hoi An villa is free.

Tell us your dates, how many adults and children are travelling, and the children’s ages — we’ll suggest the best villa for your group.

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