Photo Spots in Hoi An, Vietnam: 10 Places for the Perfect Travel Photos

1. Hoi An Yellow Walls

The yellow walls are probably the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Hoi An.

You’ll find them throughout the Ancient Town, particularly around streets such as Tran Phu, Nguyen Thai Hoc and nearby lanes. They work especially well for portraits because the warm yellow background gives photos that classic Hoi An look.

For cleaner photos, go early before the streets become busy. The soft morning light also gives the walls more texture without the harsh shadows you get around midday.

Best time for photography: 6:30 AM – 8:30 AM Best for: Portraits, couple photos, street photography Photo tip: Look for old doors, windows, bicycles and bougainvillea against the yellow walls.

2. Fujian Assembly Hall

The Fujian Assembly Hall is one of the best places in Hoi An for architectural photography.

The entrance gate, colourful details and traditional Chinese-style architecture give you plenty of options for both wide shots and close-up photos. The courtyard is particularly useful if you want to include the building's details without having too much background clutter.

Early morning is a good choice because the light is softer and the site is generally quieter. Around 8–9 AM, sunlight can also work nicely across the courtyard and architecture.

Best time for photography: 8:00 AM – 9:00 AM Best for: Architecture, traditional outfits, portraits Photo tip: Try a centred shot through the main gate before moving into the courtyard.

3. Hoi An Lantern Shop

If you want colourful photos, don't skip a traditional Hoi An lantern shop.

Rows of handmade lanterns create a completely different look from the yellow streets outside. You can use the lanterns as a colourful background, photograph details up close or take portraits surrounded by them.

For a more dramatic look, visit later in the day when the lanterns are illuminated. Lantern-filled streets and shops become particularly photogenic after dark.

Best time for photography: 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM Best for: Portraits, couple photos, colourful Instagram-style shots Photo tip: Use the lanterns close to the camera to create a colourful foreground.

4. Faifo Coffee

For a different view of Hoi An, head up to the rooftop of Faifo Coffee.

Instead of photographing the streets from ground level, you get a view across the old tiled rooftops of the Ancient Town. It's a simple way to add some variety to your Hoi An photo collection.

Late afternoon works particularly well here, when the light becomes warmer and softer.

Best time for photography: 4:00 PM – 5:30 PM Best for: Rooftop portraits, couple photos, cityscape photography Photo tip: Try both a rooftop portrait and a wide shot showing the old-town rooftops behind you.

5. Moments Hoi An

Moments Hoi An is a good option if you're looking for a more styled, café-inspired setting rather than another heritage building.

The idea here is to use the surroundings, décor and details to create lifestyle photographs. It works particularly well if you're planning an outfit-based photoshoot and want something different from the traditional yellow-wall backgrounds.

Best time for photography: Late afternoon, around 3:30 PM – 5:00 PM Best for: Lifestyle photography, couples and fashion-style photos Photo tip: Mix posed shots with natural sitting, walking and café moments so the photos don't feel overly staged.

6. Japanese Covered Bridge

You can't really make a list of photo spots in Hoi An without including the Japanese Covered Bridge.

This historic bridge is one of the city's most recognisable landmarks. During the day, however, it can become very crowded, which makes getting a clean photograph difficult.

For photography, early morning is your safest option. Another good window is around sunset, when the surrounding town starts changing from daylight to its evening lantern atmosphere.

Best time for photography: 6:30 AM – 7:30 AM or 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM Best for: Architecture, couple photos and landmark shots Photo tip: Don't photograph only the front of the bridge. Try side angles and views from the nearby riverside.

7. Mót Hoi An

The small Mót Hoi An herbal drink shop has become a popular stop for visitors looking for a simple but recognisable Hoi An street photograph.

The signature herbal drink, traditional décor and small shopfront make it easy to capture a quick lifestyle shot while exploring the Old Town.

Because it is located in the busy Ancient Town area, early morning is preferable if you want fewer people in the background.

Best time for photography: 8:00 AM – 9:30 AM Best for: Street photography, food photography and casual portraits Photo tip: Photograph the drink close-up first, then take a wider shot showing the shop and surrounding street.

8. Ba Mu Temple Gate

The Ba Mu Temple Gate is one of Hoi An's most recognisable photography locations.

The colourful traditional gate, open space and reflecting water create a strong composition, particularly for portraits. The reflection can also add another layer to the photograph when the water is still.

Morning is a good option if you want softer light and fewer people. Late afternoon can also work well for warmer tones.

Best time for photography: 7:00 AM – 9:00 AM Best for: Portraits, traditional outfits and couple photography Photo tip: Step back far enough to include the full gate and its reflection.

9. Cam Thanh Village

Leave the Old Town behind for a while and head towards Cam Thanh Village.

The area is known for its coconut-water forest and traditional basket boats, giving your photos a much more natural and rural feel. The narrow waterways surrounded by coconut palms are especially different from the architecture of central Hoi An.

Morning is a good time to photograph the area because the light is softer and the heat is more manageable. The filtered light inside the coconut forest can also work well later in the morning.

Best time for photography: 7:00 AM – 10:00 AM Best for: Nature, traditional Vietnamese lifestyle and couple photography Photo tip: Include the basket boat, palms and water in the same frame to give the photograph a stronger sense of place.

10. Thu Bon River

The Thu Bon River is where you should finish your photography day.

During the late afternoon, the river becomes a great place for wider landscape photographs, silhouettes and couple shots. As the sun goes down, the surrounding buildings and boats begin to reflect in the water.

Stay a little longer after sunset and you'll get a completely different atmosphere, with Hoi An's lanterns adding warm colour to the riverside.

Best time for photography: 4:30 PM – 6:30 PM Best for: Sunset, couple photography, boats and reflections Photo tip: Stay until blue hour for a mix of natural sky colour and illuminated lanterns.