Hoi An is one of Vietnam’s most visited destinations and a perfect spot to know what port life was like in the 18th century. Hoi An is smaller and a little more provincial than Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi. Situated in central Vietnam, in Quang Nam Province, Hoi An is an ancient town, and was once used in Southeast Asia as a trading port. With foreign traders being mostly Japanese, Chinese, and the West, the city boasts architecture with Chinese, Japanese, and Vietnamese designs. Apart from the incredible architecture, Hoi An is famous for its delicious street food. With unique things to offer, Hoi An is definitely an ideal destination to explore, and are the ten things to know before visiting the town.
10 Cycling Is The Cheapest Way To Get Around
The easiest and most affordable way of getting around Hoi An is cycling, especially if one is touring the ancient town. Travelers will rarely find roads busy, and they remain closed from 8:30 to 11:00 in the morning and 15:00 t0 21:30 for cars, taxis, and motorcycles. Most of the hotels in town offer rental bikes, but if one is struggling to get one, they can always check outside the hotel, in the many available rental shops. Cycling tours are available and offer incredible opportunities of exploring the rice paddies, fishing villages, Buffalo fields, and the surrounding countryside.
- Cost of renting a bike: $1
- Cost of renting a motorcycle: $5
9 Hoi An Is Full Of Restaurants And Street Stalls, But Not For Good Quality Food
Visitors will find street stalls and restaurants on almost every corner of the town. It is always hard to tell what these stalls sell as all the signs are written in Vietnamese, so it's important to conduct some research, and then maybe put down the names of the dishes in writing before traveling. The most affordable street food is found at the Central Market and Japanese bridge in the late evenings and at night.
- Price of street food: 20, 0000 VND
Looking for good quality food? Maybe try out some places in the center, most of which don't serve large portions, and one may need to order two or more to feel satisfied. Keep in mind that these places serve Vietnamese and western dishes and tend to be more expensive than street food.
- Price of Vietnamese food: 50,000 VND
- Price of western food: 100,000-120,000 VND
8 Cao Lau Is Hoi An’s Definite Dish, And You Don’t Want To Miss Trying It
Cooked with croutons, rice noodles, Chinese barbequed pork slices, and fresh herbs, Cao Lau is a delicious dish no one would want to miss. This Hoi An’s definite delicacy is only found in the town since the chefs prepare the noodles using the ancient Cham wells, and the locals source the greens from Tra Que Vegetable Village. Visitors can find this dish in any Vietnamese restaurant in Hoi An. Some restaurants add their own ingredients, including rice crackers, lime, peanuts, and chili jam.
7 Gold And Jewelry Shops Give The Best Rates When Exchanging Currencies
Gold and Jewelry shops are the perfect places to exchange currency once in Hoi An as they give the most favorable rates. Banks offer cheaper rates too, but not like jewelry shops. Exchanging currencies in hotels and restaurants is workable, but the rates are not as favorable. One may also exchange currency at the airport once they land. It is advisable to exchange just a small amount when one arrives at the airport and then find a jewelry shop and exchange the rest.
6 A Ticket Of $5.18 Allows You To Explore Five Interesting Places
There are impressive sights to explore in the Ancient Town of Hoi An, and travelers should buy a ticket for $5.18 to see at least five of these places. The authorities cut off a coupon from travelers' passes every time they visit a place. It is essential to keep the ticket even after exhausting all the coupons. One can still walk around the streets - and will most likely be asked to produce the tickets at the town's center.
5 Hoi An Central Market Is Not Just Perfect For Shopping, But A Great Place To Experience Authentic Vietnamese Life
When in Hoi An, the Central Market is one of the must-visit places. Nestled along the Thu Bon River banks, the Central Market is the ideal spot to experience authentic Vietnamese life. The market operates throughout the day, with travelers and the locals trading different commodities, including vegetables and fruits, handicrafts, spices, and street snacks. This place is also famous for offering affordable silk tailoring services.
- Location: Nguyen Hue and Tran Phu Streets, Hoi An, Quang Nam Province, Vietnam
- Opening Hours: 5:00 am – 4:00 pm every day
4 Generally, Vietnamese Don’t Speak Fluent English, So Don’t Be Surprised
Vietnamese rarely speak good English, and Hoi An is not an exemption. The hotels and restaurants' staff may speak fluently, but not the typical Vietnamese. Once outside the restaurant, travelers will experience a significant drop in the English of the locals. Even simple words like "how much" are confusing and most of them will remain to stare. This is why it is crucial to learn a few Vietnamese words to use, especially at the Central Market.
3 Vietnamese Are Not As Pleasant As The Thais, Except In Less Touristy Areas
Vietnamese don't smile more often than the Thais. In some cases, they might dismiss you when trying to buy some stuff from their shops or restaurants. If they are too busy to serve someone, they will automatically dismiss them. But outside the touristy areas, the locals are actually more pleasant, and the level of hospitality is higher. Visitors should travel to Hoi An prepared for this kind of attitude and not get surprised when they meet such locals.
2 Tourism Is Not A New Thing, And Some Locals Get Surprised Seeing White People Walking The Streets
Visitors will see tourist offices and street stalls, and while there are locals willing to take travelers on tours and boat trips, others will be surprised to see white people walking the streets. Outside the city center, tourism is a new thing to the locals, and in most cases, they will pass by without a cheerful greeting.
Vietnamese in Hoi An are not used to meeting tourists in skimpy clothing, so try and be decent. Don't wear too revealing clothes.
1 The Best Time To Visit Hoi An Is February To April
The weather in Hoi An is cool and splendid from February to April, making this the best time to explore the ancient town. Visiting before Lunar New Year may also be a good time as the weather is hot in the South and cold in the North. Beach lovers can enjoy their time in Hoi An during the hot season, between May and July. Sunbathing along the beaches like Cua Dai and diving to enjoy the view of the coral reefs are some of the most impressive activities at this time of the year.