After starting in Hanoi my best stop travelling Vietnam was Hoi An. A short flight to Da Nang and 30 minute taxi I was at my hostel.
Where to stay in Hoi An
I stayed at Wanderlust Hostel and would definitely recommend. The couple who run it are lovely and make sure you have all the information and recommendations you need to make the most of Hoi An. It’s located nearer the beach than the ancient town which is only a short taxi or bike ride away.
What to eat in Hoi An
Banh Mi Queen– best banh mi I had in Vietnam various different toppings and great prices.
MOT for Cau Lau (local dish) and herbal iced tea decorated with petals
Bikini Bottom Express– perfect for some dinner after a day at An Bang beach. I got the tacos which were delicious.
What to do in Hoi An
Light a lantern and place in the river to make a wish in the ancient town. Local vendors only ask for equivalent of 30p to £1 in Vietnamese Dong so might as well while you’re there!
Take a boat ride down the river to get an even better view of the gorgeous lantern lit Hoi An. Around 150k (£5) it was a lovely experience.
Make your own lantern with The Lantern Lady. A 2 hour workshop where you are taught to make your own lantern for only £5 it’s one of the best things I did when travelling. You’re always on the move, meeting new people, brain working overtime that to have a few hours to concentrate on some crafts was the perfect way to spend an afternoon. No need to prebook just turn up.
Get a dress made. Hoi An is known for great tailors with affordable prices. I got a classic white dress tailor made and it cost the equivalent of £70, I know I’ll keep it forever. I went to Wild Orchid and the whole experience of choosing a dress, fabric, fittings was excellent.
Ba Na Hills. To see the famous Golden Hands bridge you need to get a ticket for Sun World theme park at Ba Na Hills. The theme park itself is more buildings to look round than thrilling rides but the gondola to reach the theme park above the clouds is very impressive. I would say only go here if it’s a clear sunny day otherwise you’re not going to get a good view of the bridge.
Relax at An Bang beach. Many of the beach front restaurants let you use a subbed for free as long as you buy lunch/ drinks.
Party at Tiger Tiger. While Hoi An is picturesque it still has a thriving nightlife with Tiger Tiger being the main place to be if you want to have a drink and a dance. There’s also sometimes live music and beach parties at An Bang beach.
Top tips for Hoi An
Download Grab to book your taxis. Most widely used app in South East Asia. In Vietnam it’s monitored by the Government so you’re less likely to get any unwanted attention as a girl travelling on your own.
If getting clothes made do this on your first day as you may need to return the next day for a fitting before final adjustments are made.
If I went again I would stay one or two nights in the ancient town and a night or two nearer the beach to save ferrying back and forth between the two.