How to spend a slow travel day in Hoi An (a relaxed one-day itinerary)

Hoi An got really popular in the past decade, and as a result it can be one of the most highlighted, touristy and busy parts of Vietnam. Even though the atmosphere screams slow travel, many itineraries and 'things to do' blog posts make the idea of Hoi An sound overwhelming. If you are familiar with my posts, you know I love slow travel and experience even the most touristy locations at a laid back speed. So, as always, instead of a long must do or see list, I am bringing you an example of a slow travel Hoi An itinerary.

A quiet morning in Hoi An

When you travel to a place like Hoi An, how you move through it matters just as much as what you see. Rather than rushing between highlights, this slow travel day is designed to help you move gently, stay present, and truly soak in the atmosphere — even on a short visit. If you enjoy travelling with intention, my free Travel Wellness Routine Builder can help you weave small grounding moments into your day, with a printable checklist, gentle self-care prompts, and simple rituals to help you feel calm and centred wherever you are.

Grab your freebie

Getting around 

For a slow travel day and, to experience Hoi An at your own speed I would highly recommend renting a bicycle. You can of course always use Grab as a form of transportation, if you prefer this option, but renting a bike will allow you to integrate gentle movement into your day, making the whole experience even more mindful and intentional.

Solo travel safety

Vietnam in general is one of the best solo female travel safe countries to visit, and Hoi An is especially welcoming and cozy, even to explore alone. Getting around using English only isn't that much of a challenge. The town centre is small and walkable making it easy to navigate. But just like anywhere else, practise precautions and be aware of possible petty theft and transport scams. I never had any incidents in Vietnam, but I recently saw some videos circulating on social media about pretend Grab motorbike drivers, so make sure you only use the official Grab app and verify your driver before getting on.

Now, let me share my ideas on how to spend a slow travel day in Hoi An, Vietnam.

Start the day slowly at Naia Yoga + Cafe

One of my favourite things I did in Hoi An was attending a morning, gentle yoga class followed by a delicious, healthy breakfast. This specific spot I found accommodated for English speakers, so the class was easy to follow. The studio itself has a beautiful beach view, making the whole experience even more special. The place also offers delicious and healthy food, so after a yoga stretch, you can fuel up for the day. I would even recommend spending more time here, slowing down or journalling on the deck with the ocean view.

This is the perfect slow travel day location

Have a fresh and delicious lunch at Hoi An vegetable village, or even better, make it yourself

If you Google Hoi An Vegetable village, you will find a little island located by the North of Hoi An, where local farmers grow fruits and vegetables. Just the view itself is incredible. If you are short on time you can stop by for lunch, but if you want to make it into an experience you can join one of the many cooking classes offered. We opted for Tra Que Water Wheel Restaurant, but if you search the area you will see that there are many options to choose from. Cooking with local ingredients or having fresh, home made meals for lunch is certainly a slow and mindful travel day element.

Just walking through the vegetable patches is a unique experience in itself

Take your time wandering through Hoi An Central Market

I think one of the best ways to explore a culture is through its vibrant, local markets, and Hoi An is no exception. This town offers many different ones, but my favourite one remains the central market. To make it a slow travel experience allow yourself some extra time to walk around and get lost, as this part of town always gets more busy than others.

Expect vibrant colours!

Go for a massage or healing session

I opted for La Luna Spa, as it offered not just massage but also reiki healing sessions. The lady who led my session was very professional and spoke great English, the whole session was a very calming and reassuring experience. There are of course many other massage salons to choose from at a very affordable price, so definitely make it part of your slow travel day.

Getting ready for a massage (yes I ended up going back)

Cycle through the rice fields around sunset 

You can of course fit this into your day at a different time, but I found the rice fields to be the most magical while the sun sets. There aren't many others around as the rice fields are far stretched, so this can be a very calm and quiet experience.

One of the most special sunsets I have ever seen

Wonder around Hoi An centre in the evening, after the sun sets

Hoi An is the most magical at night, the lanterns that lit up the whole town make you feel like you are in a fairytale. The town doesn't go to sleep once the sun is down, quite the opposite. There are many people on the streets, night markets open up and the whole town is filled with warm and welcoming energy. Allow yourself to wonder around aimlessly for a little while, get a nice dinner with a street vide, so you get to watch people pass by. This is the slow way to experience the magic and energy of Hoi An.

The true essence of Hoi An: the lanterns

I visited in November, so there were some Christmas decors too!

And just like, a day in Hoi An goes by quickly. It is the perfect place for a slow travel day, and your itinerary can be just as packed or empty as you like. As always, only follow your own rhythm, don't feel under pressure to tick boxes or to do lists. Hoi An will allow you to do travelling on your own terms.