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Hoi An and surrounds - one of my favourite places in the world.
25
items I spent 6 weeks in the area - here's what I recommend
Map
Sections
7
Stay
Eat local to Zest
Eat in Old Town
Spa
Tours, trips and activities
What to read
Stay
I initially booked into Zest for 7-nights, I ended up staying 30. The location is ideal, in between the Old Town and An Bang Beach. The hotel has a free shuttle or you can get a Grab (uber) to either cheaply. Breakfast is good. It's quiet, peaceful, ...
Zest Resort & Spa Hoi An
Opinion is very much divided on the Ba Na Hills and the merits of visiting. I stayed for two nights at the top and I loved it. It's hectic when the day trippers are there but when they've gone the scenery is amazing as the sun sets and you get to be ...
Mercure Danang French Village Bana Hills
Eat local to Zest
A short walk from Zest is Tok. Set alongside rice paddies the menu is modern and fresh.
tok. Bar and Restaurant
Located at the end of the Zest driveway the restaurant is run by a lovely young man. Food is good. Beer is cold.
BUFFALO HOME RESTAURANT COFFEE & BAR, Hoi An
The Lantern restaurant is a very short stroll from Zest. Run by Chef Thanh and his wife, the food is good and it feels a bit like you're eating in their house
Lantern Restaurant & Cooking Class
A bike ride or get a Grab from Zest to spend a few hours relaxing with a coconut coffee at this awesome spot.
Roving Chill house
Eat in Old Town
Reserve a table at sunset on the roof to enjoy a delicious meal while watching the river become flooded with lantern boats.
Morning Glory Signature
A great place to stop, rest and watch the hustle bustle go past you.
Uncle Huan
Down a little alley, a little hidden gem
NOSTALIFE, Hoi An
Spa
At the prices in Hoi An, why wouldn't you?
They don't just do head spas! They have an extensive spa menu to choose from, but the hair spa is AMAZING!
White Rose - Gội đầu dưỡng sinh hairwash - Head Spa Hoi An
Tours, trips and activities
Cycling is a great way to see the countryside as you get taken down all the little backroads you wouldn't go yourself. Morning is the perfect time to avoid the heat of the day.
Hoi An: Morning Countryside Tour by Bike
Hoi An Handicraft tours do a couple of great classes. Hoi An is famous for its lanterns, why not make one to take home. Coffee culture is huge in Vietnam. Learn how to make coconut coffee (the best in my opinion), egg coffee, salt coffee and more. Lo...
Hoi An: Lantern and Coffee Making Class
Every dreamed of being in M*A*S*H? Now's your chance. This half day tour takes you into the countryside to visit some of the locals who make sleeping mats, carve wood, farm fish and make ‘happy water’. You can also do a similar tour by moped.
Hoi An: Half-Day Countryside Tour on Vietnam Army Jeep
I loved this so much I've done it twice. Mr Cu is a local who has created this fantastic local tourism venture. You'll get picked up and taken to shop at a local food market. Next you'll ride in a basket boat without having to haggle or wonder if you...
Local market, Basket boat, crab fishing & cooking class
My Son an ancient site in Vietnam (similar to Angkor Wat). Well worth a visit and a tour is the easiest way. Go early morning or late afternoon to avoid the heat.
Hoi An: My Son Sanctuary Early Morning with Champa Food Brunch
For more trips and tips… check out my Hoi An blog
But first, buy a fan.
Whether you are a qualified diver or just want to snorkel, check out TigerFish Divers. I loved it, great day out, well looked after. Wetsuits provided.
Tiger Fish Divers - Amazing tour to Cham Island with Catamaran Boat
What to read
Shameless self promotion… read one of my books of course.
Terrific Tours Series
Another shameless plug. A romantic comedy drawing from my experiences as a tour manager in Europe.
What Goes On Tour: Laugh-Out-Loud RomCom
What to pack
In my opinion packing cubes are a no brainer. Who wants to be rummaging in their luggage. Organise your clothes with packing cubes.
Packing Cubes
Yes, you can get clothes tailerd in Hoi An. From the quotes I got for various items they didn't seem cheaper than buying from somewhere like Uniqlo. If there was only one shop allowed in the world it would have to be this one. Great clothes for trave...
Shop Womens Dresses & Skirts | UNIQLO US
Sunscreen is a must - having a tinted sunscreen just gives you that bit extra. Foundation often just slides off in the heat and humidity
SunnyDays™ Tinted SPF 30
I carry Immodium with me when I'm travelling always. Change in food and drink can lead to upset stomachs. There's nothing worse than not being able to explore because you're scared to be away from a bathroom.
Imodium
Keeping bugs out of your body is a battle when you're travelling. Wiping your hands before you eat, wiping chopsticks and cutlery before you use them, can help.
Sanitizer Hand Wipes
Obviously drinking the tap water is a no go in Vietnam. Because it's hot and humid you'll sweat, a LOT! Keeping hydrated is important so you can enjoy all the cool stuff there is to do and stay healthy doing it.
Electrolytes Powder with Collagen & Vitamin C