中文 (中国)Photo Spots in Hoi An: The Ultimate Guide for 2025
Photo spots in Hoi An are legendary among travelers, Instagrammers, and professional photographers. With its lantern-lit alleys, riverside scenes, ancient houses, vibrant markets, and golden sunsets, Hoi An is truly a dream for anyone who loves capturing beauty. This guide from Heera Travel helps you discover the top places to snap the perfect shot—plus local tips for timing and creative inspiration.
📸 Why Photograph Hoi An?
Few places in Asia offer such a colorful and atmospheric setting. The combination of UNESCO-listed architecture, shimmering lanterns, rivers, and local life means every walk in Hoi An brings new photo opportunities. And with festivals, beaches, and villages just a bike ride away, you can fill your gallery with images that tell a real story.
🏮 1. Ancient Town Lantern Streets
The signature image of Hoi An is its lantern-lit Old Town streets. By day, pastel yellow houses and blue shutters shine in the sun. At night, the scene transforms into a glowing river of colors.
Best Photo Times: Golden hour (4:30–6:00pm) for soft light and just after sunset for lanterns.
Pro Tip: Visit during the Full Moon Lantern Festival for the most magical ambiance (see festival schedule here).
🌉 2. Japanese Covered Bridge (Chùa Cầu)
Hoi An’s most iconic structure, the Japanese Covered Bridge, dates back to the 18th century. The ornate wooden bridge, with its dragon statues and pagoda, makes a stunning photo by both day and night.
Best Photo Times: Early morning (before 8am) for empty streets, or blue hour (dusk) for reflections.
Pro Tip: Use a wide-angle lens to capture the bridge and its reflection in the canal.
🏠 3. Tan Ky & Ancient Houses
Step inside the Tan Ky Ancient House and other heritage homes for unique perspectives: dark wooden beams, antique furniture, and yellow courtyards. Local families often welcome photos if you’re polite.
Best Photo Times: Late morning or afternoon (soft window light).
Pro Tip: Play with leading lines—doorways, staircases, and sunlight through open windows.
🌺 4. Riverside & Thu Bon River
The Thu Bon River is a lifeline for Hoi An. Photograph colorful boats, local fishermen, and the sparkling water, especially at sunrise and sunset.
Best Photo Times: Sunrise for misty mornings and golden hour at sunset.
Pro Tip: Book a short boat ride for new angles and reflection shots.
🍜 5. Central Market & Street Life
Hoi An’s Central Market is a paradise for candid photography. Colorful fruit displays, busy vendors, and steaming bowls of noodles capture the town’s daily rhythm.
Best Photo Times: Early morning (6–8am) for action and light.
Pro Tip: Always ask before close-up portraits; most vendors are friendly and proud of their stalls.
🌾 6. An Bang & Cua Dai Beaches
Just a short ride from Old Town, An Bang and Cua Dai offer classic Vietnam beach scenes—fishing boats, golden sand, and blue water.
Best Photo Times: Sunrise for calm water and fisherman shots, sunset for golden sand and silhouettes.
Pro Tip: Cloudy days create dramatic, moody seascapes.
🚲 7. Rice Fields & Countryside
Hoi An’s rice paddies and country lanes (especially around Tra Que Village) provide endless inspiration—water buffalo, palm trees, farmers at work, and sweeping green fields.
Best Photo Times: Early morning or late afternoon when the sun is low.
Pro Tip: Rent a bike for access to hidden corners, and look for water reflections after a rain.
🔗 For More Hoi An Inspiration
Explore our in-depth Hoi An Travel Guide 2025: What to Do, Eat & Experience for all the best sights, food, and travel tips to complement your photo adventure.
- Lonely Planet: Hoi An Photography Guide
- The Crazy Tourist: Best Things in Hoi An
- Vietnam-Guide: Top Things to Do in Hoi An
🎒 Why Book with Heera Travel?
Heera Travel’s local experts know every angle, shortcut, and hidden gem in Hoi An. We organize private and group photo walks, golden hour tours, and hands-on lantern-making classes—helping you get the most iconic and creative shots. Want personal photo tips, or help connecting with local artisans? Let us make your photo journey easier, safer, and way more fun!
🌟 Hidden Gems: Unique Photo Spots in Hoi An
🧵 Cloth-Dyeing Alley (Alleyway off Tran Phu Street)
This tiny alley is famous among local photographers for its vivid blue walls and rows of drying cloth—perfect for portraits and creative angles.
Best Time: Early afternoon for the richest colors.
Pro Tip: Visit during market hours to catch locals at work.
🏮 Lantern Workshops
Head to the backstreets off Nguyen Thai Hoc or visit Ha Linh Lanterns to see (and photograph) artisans handcrafting silk lanterns.
Best Time: Morning for good natural light.
Pro Tip: Ask to join a short lantern-making class for candid action shots.
⛩️ Chinese Assembly Halls
The Fukian (Phuc Kien) and Cantonese Assembly Halls are architectural masterpieces—bold colors, dragon mosaics, and smoky altars.
Best Time: Late morning or just after rain for fewer crowds.
Pro Tip: Respect worshippers; avoid flash during prayers.
🚤 Cam Kim Island
A quick ferry ride from the Old Town, Cam Kim Island is all about authentic rural Vietnam. Find stilt houses, wooden boatyards, and riverside scenes that most tourists miss.
Best Time: Sunrise for mist and quiet, or late afternoon for golden rice paddies.
Pro Tip: Bring a zoom lens for candid shots of daily life.
🌅 Best Sunrise & Sunset Photo Spots
- Sunrise: An Bang Beach, Cam Kim Island, rice fields near Tra Que, and the Thu Bon River docks for early-morning fisherman shots.
- Sunset: Thu Bon riverside (from Cam Nam Bridge), Japanese Covered Bridge (with lanterns lit), and rooftop cafes like Faifo Coffee for Old Town panoramas.
📊 Photo Spots in Hoi An: Quick Comparison Table
| Spot | Best Time | What to Capture | Pro Tip | Vibe |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lantern Streets | Sunset & Festival Night | Colorful lanterns, crowds | Tripod for night shots | Romantic, vibrant |
| Japanese Bridge | Early Morning, Blue Hour | Bridge, canal reflections | Wide-angle for drama | Iconic, serene |
| Central Market | 6–8am | Street life, vendors | Ask before portraits | Busy, authentic |
| Beaches | Sunrise & Golden Hour | Boats, silhouettes, sea | Cloudy days = mood! | Peaceful, natural |
| Rice Fields | Sunrise/Sunset | Buffalo, green landscapes | Use polarizer for sky | Rural, lush |
| Assembly Halls | Late Morning | Altars, courtyards | No flash, respect rituals | Spiritual, ornate |
| Cam Kim Island | Sunrise/Late PM | Villages, boats | Take ferry at dawn | Rustic, local |
👫 Real Traveler Stories: Getting the Perfect Hoi An Shot
| Traveler Type | Favorite Spot | Best Shot | Advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Solo Instagrammer | Lantern Festival Night | Floating lanterns on the river | Go early, use manual mode for night |
| Couple | Faifo Coffee Rooftop | Old Town panorama at sunset | Arrive 1 hour before sunset |
| Family | Central Market | Kids trying tropical fruits | Bring wipes for sticky hands! |
| Professional | Rice fields near Tra Que | Farmer with buffalo at sunrise | Scout location a day before |
❓ FAQ – Photo Spots in Hoi An
Are tripods allowed in Hoi An’s Old Town?
Tripods are generally allowed but use them with care in busy areas, especially during festivals. Always be mindful of foot traffic and avoid blocking doorways.
What’s the best time for photos with few people?
Arrive just after sunrise (6–7am) for empty streets, markets, and soft golden light. Lanterns are still glowing before shops open!
Can I use drones in Hoi An?
Drones are not permitted in the Old Town or near major tourist sites, but can be used on beaches and rural areas with respect for privacy and local rules.
How do I get permission for commercial shoots?
Contact Hoi An local authorities or work with Heera Travel for help with permits for fashion, wedding, or brand shoots.
How to respect locals when taking photos?
Always ask before portraits, especially in markets or temples. A smile and a thank you (cảm ơn) go a long way!
🎒 Capture the Best of Hoi An – The Heera Travel Way
At Heera Travel, we don’t just show you photo spots—we help you unlock Hoi An’s creative spirit. From secret alleys to lantern workshops, golden hour rooftop views to custom portrait sessions, our team helps you get the images you dream of.
Plan your adventure with us or see our Hoi An Travel Guide 2025: What to Do, Eat & Experience for more inspiration and travel support.