Top Photography Locations in Hoi An (With Tips for Stunning Shots)

Hoi An, Vietnam, is a dream location for photographers. With its lantern-lit streets, ancient architecture, and riverside charm, it offers countless opportunities for stunning photos. 

Here's a breakdown of the best photography spots in Hoi An, including locations, advantages, disadvantages, and tips for beautiful photos:

1. Hoi An Ancient Town

Location: Center of Hoi An
Advantages:

• Iconic yellow-walled buildings
• Traditional shophouses, lanterns, temples
• Pedestrian-only zone (less traffic)

Disadvantages:

Gets crowded, especially in the evening

Photo Tips:

• Shoot early in the morning for soft light and fewer people
• Use the golden-yellow walls and lanterns as colorful backdrops
• Play with symmetry and leading lines in alleyways

2. Japanese Covered Bridge (Chùa Cầu)

Location: West end of Tran Phu Street

Advantages:

• Historical and architectural icon
• Reflections in the canal offer interesting compositions

Disadvantages:

• Always busy with tourists
• Hard to get a clear shot during the day

Photo Tips:

• Capture at blue hour or nighttime when it's beautifully lit
• Use a tripod for long exposure to blur the crowds
• Wide-angle lens to include both the bridge and reflection

3. Thu Bon River & Riverside Walk

Location: East of Ancient Town, along Bach Dang Street

Advantages:

• Great for sunset and boat shots
• Lantern-lit boats at night are magical

Disadvantages:

• Street vendors can clutter the view

Photo Tips:

• Go during sunset for warm tones and golden light
• Use slow shutter speeds to capture the glow of moving lantern boats
• Candid street photography of locals and tourists interacting

4. Lantern Market (Nguyen Hoang Night Market)

Location: An Hoi island, across from the Ancient Town

Advantages:

• Dense concentration of colorful lanterns
• Night scenes bursting with color

Disadvantages:

• Very busy, especially after 6 PM

Photo Tips:

• Use a prime lens with a wide aperture (f/1.8 or lower) to blur the background
• Shoot in RAW to better handle bright lights and shadows
• Ask permission before photographing vendors for better interaction shots

5. Rice Fields (Cam Chau) & Coconut Village (Cam Thanh)

Location: ~15 minutes from Ancient Town

Advantages:

• Peaceful, rural scenery
• Unique round basket boats (Thúng chai)

Disadvantages:

• Requires travel (bike/taxi)

Photo Tips:

• Drone photography works great here for patterns in the fields or boats
• Capture sunrise for beautiful misty fields
• Use a polarizer to reduce glare from water

6. Hoi An beaches (An Bang, Tan Thanh, Cua Dai, Ha My)

Location: ~ 5 - 8 km from Ancient Town

Advantages:

• Seaside golden hour shots
• Driftwood, palm trees, and local fishers

Disadvantages:

• Not as iconic as other spots

Photo Tips:

• Capture silhouettes at sunrise or sunset
• Use long exposures to soften waves
• Include people for a sense of scale

7. General Photography Tips for Hoi An:

Whether you're using a DSLR, mirrorless camera, or just your phone, Hoi An offers incredible scenes to capture. To make the most of your time, keep these general tips in mind:

7.1 Timing is Everything

• Golden hour (sunrise or sunset) offers warm, soft lighting that's perfect for capturing the yellow buildings and glowing lanterns.
• Early mornings are best to avoid crowds, especially in the Ancient Town and at the Japanese Bridge.
• Blue hour (just after sunset) adds a dreamy tone—ideal for river and lantern photos.

7.2 Scout Locations in Advance

• Explore on foot or by bicycle during the day to find hidden alleys, textured walls, or local moments you want to revisit for better lighting.

7.3 Use a Variety of Angles

• Shoot from low angles to emphasize architecture.
• Capture reflections in puddles, rivers, or polished surfaces for creative compositions.
• Try framing your subject with doorways, windows, or lanterns to add depth.

7.4 Play with Color and Contrast

• Hoi An is famous for its bold yellows, deep reds, and glowing lanterns—enhance these with vibrant color settings or edit afterward to make them pop.
• Keep an eye out for contrasts, like bright clothing against pastel walls or lanterns against a blue sky.

7.5 Include People for Storytelling

• Locals in traditional dress, cyclo drivers, or vendors add authenticity and life to your shots.
• Ask for permission if doing close-ups, especially in markets or temples.

7.6 Phone Photography Tips

• Use portrait mode for subject-background separation.
• Enable HDR mode for balancing bright skies and shadows.
• Keep a lens cloth handy—humidity can fog lenses quickly.

7.7 Bring the Right Gear

• Wide-angle lens for architecture and tight streets
• Telephoto lens for candid street photography
• Tripod for low-light or night shots (especially for lantern boat scenes)
• Spare batteries and SD cards—you'll take more photos than you think!

7.8 Watch the Weather

• Bright midday sun creates harsh shadows—use shadows creatively or take a break and shoot indoors.
• Light rain? Don’t worry—wet streets reflect lantern lights beautifully at night.

Conclusion: Capture the Soul of Hoi An

From the golden glow of ancient walls to the twinkle of lantern-lit nights, Hoi An is a photographer’s paradise brimming with character, charm, and color. Whether you're wandering through quiet alleys at sunrise, chasing reflections on the river, or capturing the buzz of the lantern market after dark, every corner tells a visual story.

With the right timing, a bit of patience, and these photography tips in hand, you'll not only snap beautiful images - you'll preserve the spirit of Hoi An in every frame.

So pack your camera, charge those batteries, and get ready to fall in love with one of Vietnam’s most photogenic towns. Happy shooting!