off the beaten path hoi an

Pure Paths: Off the beaten track - See 89 traveler reviews, 112 candid photos, and great deals for Hoi An, Vietnam, at Tripadvisor. Off The Beaten Path. Tours for Couples. Day 1: Arrival in Ho Chi Minh City. Day 2: HCM City - Morning Tour. Day 3: HCM City - Vung Liem (Mekong Delta) Day 4: Vung Liem - HCM City - Flight to Dalat. Day 5: Dalat - Trekking and Kayaking. Day 6: Dalat - Lake Lake - Buon Triet Lake. Day 7: Buon Triet Lake - Nam Ka. PURE PATHS OFF THE BEATEN TRACK About the tour: 3 Trekking. 1-familly trek. 2- Bach ma trek. 3- ethnic cotu trek. Located 95km away from Hoi An UNESCO heritage site, the national park of Bach Ma is more than 22,000 hectares in size. At its highest point at an altitude of 1450m, you will get a great opportunity to experience an exceptional Leute Aus Der Umgebung Kennenlernen App. Payments made by partners impact the order of prices displayed. Room types may good277Average47Poor13Terrible5FamiliesCouplesSoloBusinessFriendsMar-MayJun-AugSep-NovDec-FebAll languagesEnglish 1,107French 245Korean 162More languages Show reviews that mentionAll reviews rice fields water buffalo shuttle bus old town reception team our honeymoon away from the hustle and bustle free shuttle service breakfast buffet relaxing stay stayed for nights bike ride free of charge lovely staff anh lan vietnam RobWat4dWatford, United KingdomReviewed 2 October 2014 The resort was beautiful, less than a year old I understand and everything was spotless. We had the Palm View room and it was stunning, very big superbly decorated with a stand alone bath, probably the nicest hotel room I have ever stayed in. Pool was nice, breakfast excellent and the staff were all very friendly and helpful. The hotel is located out of town but not far from the beach and there is a shuttle bus that serves both so both easily tip The Palm View Villa is awesome Date of stay September 2014Trip type Travelled as a coupleLocationCleanlinessServiceAsk RobWat4d about Hoi An Ancient House Village Resort and Spa11 Thank RobWat4d This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn morning dear ROBWAT4D,After reading your lovely email, we cannot describe our surprise when receiving your wonderful review about your recent stay at our Palm View you very much for your compliments about the service, personnel, and overall design of the Village. Next time you travel to Viet Nam, allow us an opportunity to welcome you to Hoi An Ancient House Village Resort and Spa. We are having more plans for the coming time, and we will make sure to deliver even better wait to see you again, and we wish you all the best as always! BIG thank-you to you and your partner!LalafryerStillorgan, IrelandReviewed 2 October 2014 We really enjoyed our stay at this hotel. The location is great...only a short cycle to the beach 15 mins and a handy free shuttle to the town/ beach is provided. It is really quiet and has the feel of being out in the countryside. The rooms are fabulous, big size and great air con, nice shower and a laptop with internet staff are really great, lovely welcome, friendly and they surprised me with a cake and flowers for my birthday The pool is wonderful, really clean and good size. We had a massage and it was truly fantastic. We also eat at the restauarnt and the food was lovely. I really cannot say anything bad about this hotel. If you book you will not be of stay September 2014Trip type Travelled as a coupleSleep QualityCleanlinessServiceAsk Lalafryer about Hoi An Ancient House Village Resort and Spa12 Thank Lalafryer This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn morning dear LALAFRYER,First off, we need to say your review is so much lovely, and it does motivate us management and staff in providing better service. Thank you for your beautiful words about the complimentary shuttle and bike rental, room interior, pool, food and beverage, and beyond all the performance of all staff in the Village. Keeping in mind the focus of service should be laid on personnel, we are continuously training staff skills in all measures, so that the highest quality of service is you once again for your choice of making your stay at Hoi An Ancient House Village Resort and Spa. Also, we thank you for your kind recommendation to friends and travellers, which in turn gives us more excitement and warm wishes as always!Reviewed 28 September 2014 Spent 3 nights here and would highly recommend. The room was luxurious, with fantastic bathtub to soak in! There was a large shower, 2 sinks, balcony overlooking the pool, laptop in the room with internet connection, tea/coffee facilities, fruit, fridge - everything we could ever need. Don't be put off with this hotel being a little way out of Hoi An, there is a free shuttle bus into town and to the beach. We also used the free bikes to cycle down to the beach. Hoi An is very touristy so it was nice to stay in such a calm and luxurious hotel. The gardens were beautiful and the pool was very welcoming with views out over the paddy fields. We ate in the hotel a couple of nights and the food was excellent. Great stay, good of stay August 2014Trip type Travelled as a coupleValueLocationServiceAsk UkButton about Hoi An Ancient House Village Resort and Spa14 Thank UkButton This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn morning dear UKBUTTON,Thank you very much for having taken your time to post a review about your recent stay at Hoi An Ancient House Village Resort and Spa. Your high words about the room interior and amenities, complimentary shuttle and bike rental service, and especially our high quality food at the Field are totally thrilled to know that you enjoyed the three nights with your partner, and that you will recommend us to more travellers. We do not have enough words to thank you for your kindness and sharing. Next time you plan your trip to Viet Nam, please inform us and we will try our best!With warm wishes as always!40something69Edinburgh, United KingdomReviewed 26 September 2014 I recently stayed here for 4 nights when travelling through Vietnam with my brother. We opted for a more 'upmarket' hotel and this hotel more than surpassed our expectations. We had originally booked 2 double garden view rooms, but as the hotel was quiet September is the start of the off rainy season - that said we had fantastic weather we were upgraded at no extra charge to a 70 sq/m villa each for the same price of £40 a night! The rooms are simply stunning with luxury showers, a free standing bath and enormous super comfortable beds. The staff were exceptionally welcoming and when I caught a bit of a cold at one point during my stay they sent me a large pot of spicy ginger and lime tea to my room which was a lovely touch. The breakfast is served in a beautiful room near the pool and the food is outstanding - there was every sort of food available covering all tastes. They also provided airport pickup and there is a hotel bus into the town every hour or so last one is but the nightlife is quiet in Hoi An so this is normal. The hotel is situated about 15 mins outside the town but we liked that as the hotel is an oasis of calm and its nice to be away from it all, but with the option of free bikes or mini bus to take you to town in no time. Highly recommended - one if the nicest hotels I've ever stayed in for a bargain tip All the rooms looked pretty fabulous but go for the villa for the most space, private garden and luxury Date of stay September 2014Trip type Travelled with familyValueCleanlinessServiceAsk 40something69 about Hoi An Ancient House Village Resort and Spa9 Thank 40something69 This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn morning dear 40SOMETHING69,Thank you for your generous and lovely review about your recent stay at Hoi An Ancient House Village Resort and Spa. We remember you and your brother very well, and we are more than happy to know you totally enjoyed the room upgrade with comfortable beds, breakfast buffet, and complimentary shuttle and bike all, we shared with you the difficult time you had a cold, and we found it our duty and pleasure to offer the best natural treatment to you. It also tells that our staff have gone out of their way to provide the best you and we look forward to welcoming you again to the Village. Whenever you have a plan to return to Viet Nam, please write us an email, and we will arrange the best accommodation for you and the family. Thank you for your kindness in sharing your the best as always!Reviewed 22 September 2014 As Hoi An is increasingly becoming a increasingly touristy not sure where this is gonna end, we decided to stay a bit outside of the city between city and beach and found the Ancient Village Resort and Spa. This is the 5 time in Hoi An and I can only say, I am sad I only found this place now. The hotel itself is beautiful, with one of the nicest designs I have seen so far. The room is one open space with a great view over the rice fields and the garden on the other side, lovely bath tub and shower and generally great Vietnamese design. It is so nice not to be in the city and have this calm surrounding while only taking 15 minutes to Hoi An. The shuttle service is really handy, but a taxi also only costs around 4 USD and bikes are available for free. I have not yet checked out the private beach shuttle inclusive but I bet it is wonderful too. It is not the main season so there are almost no people in the hotel and it is super quite and of stay September 2014Trip type Travelled as a coupleValueRoomsServiceAsk DowntownHanoi about Hoi An Ancient House Village Resort and Spa8 Thank DowntownHanoi This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn afternoon DOWNTOWNHANOI HANOI,This is Viet Tien writing from Front Office of Hoi An Ancient House Village Resort and Spa. Thank you very much for your lovely review about your recent stay with your partner at the you for having given us the opportunity to serve you, as we understand how much you love Hoi An, and how much fun and peace you had during your days at the Village. Thank you for your compliments for the overall design, room interior, location, as well as the complimentary shuttle service to Ancient Town and our private time you travel Viet Nam, please keep us informed, and it would be more than happy to know you plan to return. Thank you once again!Cheers,View more reviews Planning your Vietnam itinerary? Find out how you can score 1-for-1 deals and up to 50% off transport, activities, and other travel essentials from now till 14 Oct 2022 — more at the end!Having already been to Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh, I thought I’d already tried all the straw hats and egg coffees on offer. Little did I know of Central Vietnam’s extraordinary attractions — a bizarre bridge that shoots actual fire, a three-storey arcade hidden in a cave, and a lantern festival on the river straight out of a Disney flick!By stepping away from the mainstream, you’ll learn some new things — how buffalo hair feels like, how prone to motion sickness you really are, and what duck foetus feathers taste like spoiler crunchy.Get crazy on this 5-day Central Vietnam itinerary where you’ll explore off-beat Da Nang, historical Hue, and colourful Hoi An, for the quirkiest, coolest Vietnam trip ever!Psst* Klook is celebrating its 8th birthday with deals for a different destination each day from 30 September to 14 October — Vietnam is on day 7 6 Oct! Expect 1-for-1s and up to 50% off deals — more about this later!Pre-trip EssentialsGetting around in Vietnam We got an airport pickup ~S$ for three pax which brought us to our accommodation in Da Nang. On days two and three Da Nang and Hue, we recommend a 12-hour private charter ~S$ to cover the city’s many attractions. For everything else, the Grab app Southeast Asia’s Uber comes super connected We collected our pre-booked 6GB 5G SIM Card 30 days ~S$ directly upon arrival at Da Nang International Airport. Flights to Central Vietnam It’s easiest to fly in and out of Da Nang International Airport, with direct flights from Singapore from just ~S$ Flights to Da NangCheck flights from Singapore to Da Nang Vietnam Itinerary RouteWe enjoyed two days in Da Nang before travelling north to spend two days in Hue. We then travelled down to Hoi An for one day. From Hoi An, it’s a 45-minute drive back to Da Nang International 1 Lose Yourself in Ba Na Hills, Da Nang’s Odd UtopiaStart your trip at Da Nang, a laid-back coastal city known for its strong food scene, backpacker culture, and one of Asia’s best beaches. New attractions like Ba Na Hills tips Da Nang as the next big holiday destination, so better visit before the crowds do!Have a Blast at Ba Na HillsIf “extra” is your middle name, you’ll love Ba Na Hills, undoubtedly Da Nang’s craziest attraction. Sitting atop the Truong Son Mountains, this humongous theme park is full of surreal surprises that’ll keep you entertained all Ba Na Hills’ record-breaking cablecars over waterfalls and lush forest. You’ll soon arrive at the Golden Bridge, modelled like two giant hands holding a delicate golden thread. With rolling clouds in the background, it’s definitely among the most awesome sights I’ve ever another cablecar to Ba Na Hills’ French Village, complete with its own cathedral, village square, and quaint cafes — very romantic!Grab lunch at Arapang Hall, for a huge international buffet spread 225,000₫ that left us spoilt for choice.*Pro-tip Come before 12PM to avoid the tour groups and get first dibs on food!Let your lunch settle before taking a ride on the Alpine Coaster, a luge ride that gives you complete control over the brakes and speed! If you intend to zoom down at the top speed of 40km/hr, let the ride attendant know and he’ll be sure to clear enough distance between you and the previous to the Alpine Coaster is another unusual sight — a three-storey arcade tucked inside a cave! The largest indoor arcade in Vietnam, Fantasy Park boasts free VR rides, a free drop-tower, free rock-climbing, free bumper cars, free arcade games… okay, basically it’s all free!Our favourites were the classic SEGA racing machines, and the genuinely scary 360° cinema horror show Fear Train be warned jump-scares aplenty!. For the old-school romantics, there are also traditional carnival games like ring toss and beanbag throws, at 100,000₫ for three fee ~S$ incl. round trip cablecar Opening hours 8AM – 530PM, closes 730PM on SatHow to get there From Sun World Ba Na Hills Gateway, take the Toc Tien–L’Indochine cablecar line, which brings you to the Golden Bridge. Alternatively, a Ba Na Hills package tour covers everything from transport and admission to the buffet also Ba Na Hills Guide — Vietnam’s Breathtaking Hidden PlaygroundDinner at Quan Pho HongEnd the day with affordable and authentic pho at Quan Pho Hong. We recommend the classic beef pho 55,000₫ and tasty fried prawn and meat spring rolls 160,000₫ for 10 rolls.Cost From 55,000₫ ~S$ a bowlOpening hours 7AM – 9PMAddress 10 Ly Tu Trong, Thach Thang, Hai Chau, Da Nang 550000Day 2 Experience Water and Fire in Da NangEat Like A Local At Cồn MarketDespite what its name suggests, you’re not gonna get conned at Cồn Market. It’s the perfect place to start your day like a local, and soak in authentic Vietnam vibes!Cồn Market’s food street hosts tiny stalls selling unidentifiable meats — no thanks to the lack of translated signs — a sight that’ll make you feel nothing like a regular tourist. We managed to snag grilled pork and veggies in paper-thin rice rolls topped with a dollop of peanut dipping sauce for 100,000₫ — completing our local lunch!Wander down the neighbouring lanes and spot interesting sights like garlic cloves decorated to look like Christmas trees, bare-bones manicure stations and trendy banana-print tees that go for ~100,000₫ ~100,000₫ ~S$ for a meal for two paxOpening hours 7AM – 7PMAddress 290 Hung Vuong, Vinh Trung, Hai Chau, Da Nang 550000Catch Waves at My Khe Beach — the US Marine’s Favourite Surf SpotSpend the afternoon at My Khe Beach, one of the most beautiful and historically significant beaches in Vietnam. During the Vietnam War, this charming paradise was a beloved recreation spot for the US Marines — and it’s easy to see Khe Beach is a lovely stretch of white sand with sparkling turquoise waves perfect for casual surfers surfboard rentals at 100,000₫/hour. With a backdrop of misty mountains, beach bars, cheap parasailing 500,000₫, and very few tourists, My Khe Beach has it fee FreeOpening hours 7AM – 9PM, 5AM – 630PM in Winter Nov – AprHow to get there Take an 11-min Grab ride/taxi from Cồn Market public transport will be too complicated for non-Vietnamese speakersDinner at Burger Bros Da Nang’s history as a base for US Marines resulted in some of Vietnam’s yummiest Western food. We don’t normally recommend non-local food, but for the buttery, juicy goodness at Burger Bros, we’ll make an ravaged the NN Burger 110,000₫, which came stuffed with bacon and avocado, and the double-pattied Mykhe Burger 140,000₫. Judging by the hundreds of rave reviews online, the other options are excellent your meal extra satisfying by adding fries/coleslaw and a drink we loved the homemade lemonade ranging from 30,000₫ to 50,000₫, based on your drink of From 70,000₫ ~S$ per burgerOpening hours 11AM – 2PM, 5PM – 9PM or until sold outAddress 30 An Thuong 4, Bac My An, Ngu Hanh Son, Da Nang 550000*Pro-tip Visit at least an hour before closing time, as they sell out pretty fast!See a Fire-Breathing DragonPhoto credit CNNThe longest bridge in Vietnam is also its most badass A 666m-long golden dragon!Opened in 2013 for the 38th anniversary of Da Nang’s liberation from the war, the bridge is a symbol of prosperity and power. Visit after sunset to see the bridge light up in a dazzling display of changing colours. On weekends, the dragon even spits actual fire!Cost FreeShow times 9PM on weekendsHow to get there Head to the waterfront along the Han River, where you’ll find eateries offering great views of the Dragon BridgeDay 3 Immerse Yourself in Hue’s Historical LandmarksGetting From Da Nang to Hue We took a 12-hour private charter for the ~2-hour drive from Da Nang to Hue, followed by a day of is filled with royal monuments and gorgeous architecture from its history as Vietnam’s former capital from the 17th to the 19th century, during the Nguyen Dynasty. This grand city is also your gateway to the marvellous caves at Phong Nha-Kẻ Bàng National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage the Royal Tomb of Khai DinhOf the six royal tombs around Hue, King Khai Dinh’s is the most impressive. A real testament to the controversial Nguyễn Dynasty emperor, this majestic mausoleum took 11 years to build with three gorgeous levels to fee 150,000₫ ~S$ hours – 5PMHow to get there A 30-minute drive Grab/cab from Hue. Do note that if you’re not on private transfer/motorbike, you’ll need to ask your cab to wait for you as cabs aren’t readily available from the on Hue Specialties at Quán Cơm Hến 03At the cosy Quán Cơm Hến 03, try Hue’s specialty, com hen clam rice, which tastes satisfyingly buttery, salty, and spicy all at once. Pair the iconic dish with another Hue fave, nem lui — grilled skewers of finely-ground beef and pork, wound around stalks of lemongrass. The friendly owner will even teach you how to eat nem lui like a local!Cost ~185,000₫ ~S$ for 3paxOpening hours 7AM – 10PMAddress 3 Han Mac Tu, Vy Da, Thanh pho Hue, Thua Thien HueWander around Hue’s Imperial CityDive into ancient history at Hue’s Imperial City, the site of Vietnam’s former capital. There’s an actual moat, and ten grand gates guarding the lavish remains of a palace, tombs, and gardens. Walking through the royal ruins, it’s easy to imagine the grandeur and glory back in the days of ancient Vietnam’s Nguyễn fee ~200,000₫ ~S$ hours 630AM – 530PM in summer, 7AM – 5PM in winterHow to get there Take private charter or bike parking at the east exit costs 25,000₫, ~S$ to this central location within the Sunset at Thien Mu PagodaThe seven-storied Thien Mu Pagoda The Pagoda of the Celestial Lady is the unofficial symbol of Hue city. Sitting just outside the city centre, the pagoda is in a perfect position overlooking the Perfume the vicinity, you’ll also spot the car that once belonged to Thich Quang Duc, the Buddhist monk who set himself on fire in protest against President Diem’s discriminatory fee FreeOpening hours 8AM – 6PMAddress Huong Hoa, Thanh pho Hue, Huong Hoa Thanh pho Hue Thua Thien Hue 532761Beef Noodles at Bun Bo Hue My TamEnjoy some bun bo Vietnamese rice noodle dish with sliced beef or pork knuckles for dinner in the city where it originated! Like a punchier-tasting version of the classic pho, Bun Bo Hue My Tam generously heaps beef tendon, pork ribs and juicy pork balls on top of soft vermicelli. Hot tip to eat like the locals do dip the free baguette slices into the yummy soup!Cost 40,000₫ ~S$ hours 315PM – 2AMAddress 3 Tran Cao Van, Vinh Ninh, Thanh pho Hue, Thua Thien HueDay 4 Day Trip to Phong Nha’s Crazy Caves Spot Magical Creatures among Phong Nha’s Magnificent FormationsSpend the day adventuring at Phong Nha-Kẻ Bàng National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage caves can be quite a pain to get to, as they’re a 4-hour drive each way from Hue. It’s well worth it though — there’s something surreal about standing amongst caves that are over 400 million years old. To make the journey a little easier, book an all-inclusive Phong Nha Cave tour ~S$57 per pax, which comes with roundtrip transfer, entrance fees, and lunch along the are different caves to explore in the area, including the adventure-filled Tra Ang Cave and tragic 8 Ladies Cave. We loved the Paradise Cave — aptly named for its breathtaking stalagmites and magically cool temperature of 17° – 19°, no matter the season!Don’t forget to put your imagination to the test by spotting outlines of gnomes and other fantastic creatures amongst the karst limestone fee 250,000₫ ~S$ hours 7AM – 4PMHow to get there A 4-hour drive each way, it’s easiest and most cost-efficient to get to Phong Nha-Ke Bàng National Park via private charter.*Pro-tip Wear comfortable walking shoes as the hike up to the cave entrance gets pretty also 2-Week Vietnam Itinerary — Heart-Pumping Experiences through Northern and Central Vietnam from Hanoi to Da NangDinner at Nina’s CafePhoto credit Buffalo TripEnjoy authentic local dishes at this popular family-run restaurant. Have a spread of Nina Cafe’s signature items, including squid with lemongrass and chili 85,000₫, steamed rice cakes 40,000₫, and banana flower salad 70,000₫.Cost From 40,000₫ ~S$ hours 10AM – 930PMAddress 34 Nguyen Tri Phuong, Phú Hoi, Thành pho Hue, Thua Thien Hue 530000Day 5 Spin Through Hoi An’s Coconut Forest Round off the trip with some colour and culture at Hoi An, a former trading port that blends together architecture styles from the Chinese, French, Japanese, and Vietnamese. This lovely town features quaint cafes, lantern-lit streets, and a gorgeous river that comes alive at on a Family-run Coconut Tour This super-cute tour through the Coconut Forest is non-stop excitement, beginning with an actual buffalo ride in the countryside!We then cycled through scenic paddy fields, lush vegetation, and beside shimmering streams. Along the way, our guide pointed out interesting sights and even crafted us our very own grass hats and accessories!Once we reached the coconut forest, the real highlight of the tour began. Hopping onto a round basket boat — a creative concoction of oil and bamboo — we paddled out on the river and right into the middle of a be brought to the river’s designated party spot with boomboxes blasting energetic music, while a friendly paddler spins the boat round and round and round. One of us actually puked — just like a Friday night at Zouk!On a serious note, you might want to skip this if you have bad motion sickness or prep some pills beforehand.Other highlights include a chance to try net fishing, and learn more about this interesting aspect of local life. For example, the coconut forest used to be an area of frequent bombing during the Vietnam War. Our guide’s father — our basket boat paddler — even fought in the war, and showed us pictures to prove all that spinning and adventure, we enjoyed a local spread of fried spring rolls, banh xeo Vietnamese egg pancakes, and of course, fresh coconut!I can’t recommend this tour enough — the English-speaking husband-and-wife team were amazing guides who went above and beyond to give us a fun time and even helped us take great ~S$34/pax for a 3hr tourTour timings 9AM, 2PM Meeting point Hotel pick up within central Hoi An availableExplore Hoi An’s Colourful StreetsWhether on foot or by bike, spend an afternoon exploring Hoi An’s quaint streets and cosy visited the White Rose Restaurant, founded by a Fujian-Vietnamese couple and named after their iconic white rose dumplings, with a secret recipe they fiercely guard. What’s not-so-secret though is getting to see ladies skilfully filling and shaping the dumplings into flowers. It’s also no coincidence that all the staff look alike — only family members are allowed to make the food!Apart from the white rose dumplings 70,000₫ for ~10 pieces, try the one other menu offering, fried wanton 100,000₫ for ~7 pieces, which are topped with tomato roulade, shrimp, black mushroom, and other veggies. Resembling a tortilla, the soft and crunchy snack is also known as “Hoi An Pizza”.White Rose RestaurantCost From 70,000₫ ~S$ hours 730AM – 830PMAddress 533 D. Hai Bà Trung, Phuong Cam Pho, Hoi An, Quang NamAnother cool spot is Phai Pho Cafe meaning “Faded City”, a vintage-looking cafe in Old Town. Get a cup of their strong, sweetened coffee 15,000₫ and drink it the Vietnamese way — one sip of coffee followed by one sip of their complimentary tea, and repeat. The delicious beans from Da Lat give the coffee a distinct, chocolatey Pho CafeCost 15,000₫ ~S$ hours 7AM – 10PMAddress 59 Phan Chu Trinh, Phuong Minh An, Hoi An, Quang Nam*Pro-tip You’re allowed to bring in your own food to enjoy with the you’re feeling more adventurous, go on a guided bike tour, where you’ll brave busy streets to sample Hoi An’s best-kept culinary secrets. We went through narrow alleyways and even found ourselves on a tranquil farm and in locals’ homes for home-cooked Vietnamese entire way, our knowledgeable guide told us everything we needed to know about the food, and even accompanied us to try street-side balut fertilised duck egg!Bike and Bite TourCost ~S$55/pax for a 5hr tourTour timings 330PMMeeting point 567 Hai Ba Trung St, Son Phong, Hoian, Quang NamLight Up the River at Hoi An’s Lantern Festival Hoi An’s romantic streets become even lovelier at night, as the riverside lights up with the rainbow glow of paper lanterns and decorated can even make a wish on your own little lantern, and set it afloat along the river 20,000₫ each!While the tradition has become so popular that it now happens every night, it’s still most beautiful on the eve of the full moon each month, when the lights of the town are shut off at 8PM to create a truly magical timing From sunset to around 9PMHow to get there Walk to the riverside in the centre of Hoi An’s Old Town*Pro-tip Arrive just before sunset around 6PM to catch the gorgeous pink sky and watch the river slowly light at Madam Khanh the Bahn Mi QueenWithout a doubt, the owner Madam Khanh deserves her title as the Bahn Mi Queen. These bahn mi short baguette with savoury ingredients from Madam Khanh the Bahn Mi Queen were the best Vietnamese sandwiches I’ve ever had. My favourite was the Mixed Bahn Mi 20,000₫, which came stuffed with vegetables, pork, ham, eggs, pate, and egg sauce on a crisp yet chewy From 20,000₫ ~S$ hours 6AM – 7PM, opens 12PM on TueAddress 115 Tran Cao Van, Phuong Minh An, tp. Hoi An, Quang NamGetting from Hue to Hoi An It’s a 2hr 40min drive to Hoi An. As Hoi An is best explored on foot or via unique local tours, we took an inter-city transfer ~S$ for three pax. Leave Hue by 6AM if you intend to take the Coconut Forest Tour 9AM – 12PM and the Bike and Bite Tour 330PM – 8PM on the same day. Otherwise, leave by 2PM to catch the afternoon Coconut Forest Tour 2PM – 5PM.Getting from Hoi An to Da Nang Airport Take a 45-min airport transfer ~S$ for three pax to Da Nang International Around Central VietnamWe loved the flexibility of customising our day and itinerary, free to continue exploring or move on from each attraction throughout Central Vietnam as we 12-hour private charter ~S$ made this possible directly from touchdown. Having our own car was a godsend especially when exploring quirkier attractions like the local market and Khai Dinh’s tomb, which aren’t central areas frequented by most tourists and harder to get to via public transport!.That said, we also opted for the following full-length tours as they included great add-ons like lunch or admission fees, with knowledgeable guides who gave us insight on Vietnamese history and hidden gems– Ba Na Hills and Golden Bridge Custom Day Tour incl. Buffet Lunch ~S$65– Phong Nha Cave Exploration Tour ~S$57– Hoi An Coconut Forest Tour ~S$34– Hoi An Bite and Bite Tour ~S$55Personally, I’m already itching to return to these underrated cities, especially Da Nang’s My Khe Beach. So try something new with our itinerary and head to Central Vietnam for a colourful getaway like no other!Read also 7 Adventurous Day Trips from Hanoi – Halong Bay, Sapa, Ninh Binh, Trang Vu and moreEnough to inspire you for your next trip? Check flight prices from Singapore to Da Nang here!1-For-1 Deals and Up to 50% off Vietnam Travel EssentialsCelebrating their 8th birthday, from 30 September – 7 October 2022, Klook will be releasing daily deals for a different destination each day. If you’re planning your Vietnam itinerary, set an alarm for 6 Oct!How this works at 8PM each day, there will be a code released for 18% off for that featured destination — that means 18% off your train passes, activities, accommodations, and other travel essentials!And if you’re planning to add Sun World Asia Park Da Nang to your Central Vietnam Itinerary, enjoy an extra 100,000₫ voucher as part of the 8PM flash deal for Vietnam!More savings for your Central Vietnam itineraryOn top of daily destination-specific deals, log into the app daily between 30 Sep – 14 Oct to spin the Joy the three coins to spell J-O-Y and you’ll stand a chance to win one of 88 attractive prizes! Prizes include a Resorts World Cruises 5-Night Sail Package, Royal Albatross Tickets, and Klook e-Gift Cards to book any experience you’ve been dying to try.*Pro-tip Existing DBS/POSB Cardmembers can score an $80 off sitewide code so look out for that when you’re checking out!Know any other quirky activities in Vietnam that we should include? Let us know in the comments!This post was brought to you by what you see? Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube for more travel updates! We decided to move away from the beach resorts and stay closer to the town our last two nights in Hoi An and Marina Hoian Resort did not disappoint. We paid for the pool villa and it was definitely worth it. The amenities feel new and the place had a clean, sleek modern design. Located right on the river, our room had a great view of our private plunge pool, the beautiful gardens, AND the river. The room was designed like a suite with lots of space, a separate living room, bedroom, and "outdoor" bathroom, which was my only real bathroom is designed to be outdoors for a more "nature-y" feel, but honestly it just got hot and musty as there wasn't any airflow. The bathroom had a separate toilet, shower, double sinks, and a bathtub. What it was missing was perhaps the most important thing towel hooks! There was a giant wooden wall of planks to hang towels right about the tub, but it was hard to reach and not convenient though good for drying clothes. I found it a bit annoying but honestly it was no big deal considering all the hotel had to offer. The room was also missing a DVD player, but the friendly staff found one and came to set it up within 15 minutes. There's only one restaurant, and we only had breakfast there, but it was decent, no-frills simple, but fresh. Lastly, the staff was friendly and kind, but could receive some more training in terms of if you're in for a change from the mega-beach resorts, definitely give Marina Hoian a chance. It's a great find! Hoi An is a historic city in Vietnam that has been largely untouched by the development of the rest of the world. The way of life here has not changed for many years, so you will feel yourself travelling back in time, as you absorb the beauty and culture of this city. This charming old town is well-known for its beautiful beaches, distinct architecture, amazing traditional Vietnamese food and talented tailors. The authenticity of the city has been preserved from when it was just a small fishing village hundreds of years live amongst the hustle and bustle of Saigon, so I often find myself pulled towards the serenity of Hoi An. Whenever I need to clear my mind or just have a bit of time to myself and Hoi An is the perfect destination for me, and even though I have been multiple times, I am already planning my next trip!Top places to stay in Hoi AnThe best place to stay in Hoi An is close to the canal directly behind the ancient town because it is only a walking distance to the heart of the ancient town. This area is also more peaceful and offers different ranges of accommodation to view from my balcony at Lantana boutique hotel towards the ancient have stayed in a number of different accomodations around this area, and from experience I would recommend 'La Residencia Hotel' and 'Lantana Hoi An' as I was very impressed with their exceptional customer Residencia Hotel 35 Dao Duy Tu StreetLantana Hoi An 9 Thoai Ngoc Hau StreetTop Things To Do in Hoi AnTo get the most out of your time in Hoi An you should hire a local guide, who will already know the best places to visit and will accommodate to all your Wander around the ancient townDuring the day, you can explore most of an old town walking at a leisurely pace, or even hire a cyclo so that you can see the sights faster and spend more time shopping! The cyclo drivers will be happy to help you with any requests or questions that you have. Observing life in the city can also be done by hiring your owns bikes, picking up a map and setting An ancient town is UNESCO world heritage site which bears all the hallmarks of traditional Chinese and Japanese towns thanks to its heritage and remarkable preservation which has stood the test of An is far more tranquil than the other bustling cities of Vietnam as it experiences much less traffic and the people here live a much more relaxed real beauty of Hoi An comes out as the sun goes down. Once night dawns the lanterns all around the closely knit streets come alive and light up old town. Around the canals, people float small lanterns on the water for good luck and make a wish. This traditional event is a vivid spectacle and one that you will remember for the rest of your night, when you are standing on the Japanese Covered Bridge, looking down the river, the entire ancient town looks like it has been plucked straight out of a Ride a bike to Cua Dai BeachCua Dai beach is one of the places you need to tick off your list if you are in Hoi find it most enjoyable to rent a bike and ride past the rice fields to the coast which is only 5kms Dai beach has been consistently voted one of the best beaches in Vietnam. Crystal clear water, extended soft sand beach and peaceful ambience are some of the features that lure travellers to come Dai beach is about 5 km from the ancient Shop for handmade productsAll bikes frames are made from bamboo at Mekong bike you are into shopping, you can stop by one of many local handmade shops offering everything from handbags, suitcases to bamboo bikes. All the products here are locally made so buying products here is also a way to support the local economy. I bought a leather wallet here, and the quality did not disappoint me, although buying items in the centre of town can be a little expensive due to its touristic nature. I found shopping in the outskirts of old town was a lot cheaper, especially if you visit the flea market or the pop-up Tailor your clothesAnother thing that visitors come here for is to have their suits or dresses tailored. Suits made here are praised for their high quality and only at a fraction of the cost of branded ones. One of the things that I learnt when I was here is that you should plan your tailor-made clothes as soon as you arrive. Although you can have the clothes made overnight, the quality and the embroidery are not as high if they are in a rush, so if possible try to give them a bit of time to perfect Visit the local marketThe best thing to do in Hoi An for me is to wander around Hoi An market and see how the local people live their life. Although the town has changed dramatically and many locals have moved out of town giving rooms for new shops and restaurants. However, they still come to Hoi An market for food and other daily supplies. So don't miss the chance to walk around the market to see the bustle part of town and taste the many delicious street off the beaten path in Hoi AnFrom viewing the sunset from a hidden rooftop to drinking tea served by hearing impaired staff, you should get off the beaten path and explore the hidden charm of Hoi Row a boat at Cam Thanh Coconut IslandI had a great time rowing one of the boats together with a local. We rowed deep into the coconut island to catch some crabs. Whilst one the boat I was captivated by the stories she had to tell and it really made me appreciate the interesting people who lived here. She talked about her life as a fisherwoman, and then becoming a local guide to provide her with extra you want to get a taste of how the locals live, you can buy tickets and go to Cam Thanh Coconut Island where you can experience how to row a boat and catch crabs just like locals do. Although rowing the boat is good fun, it is much harder than it looks and the locals may end up having a little giggle at you!2. View sunset from rooftop cafeOne of the hidden gems of Hoi An is the rooftop of Faifo coffee at 130 Tran Phu where you can view the entire town. If you are a photographer and want to capture the sunset, the view from here will not disappoint rooftop is an ideal place to view sunset and looking over to the whole is the local's favorite spot for a wedding photo Read a book at a teahouseAnother one to check out is a cosy quite tea house called Reach Out. What makes this shop special is that you are served by friendly staff, who all suffer from hearing impairments. The staff who are deaf always greet you with their smiles make you feel always welcome. This is the best place to enjoy the quietness or to read a book. You communicate with the staff through writing or small cubes with actions such as "hot water", "bill" etc...I was so intrigued by the system of using blocks with writing on to communicate with the waitress served us with a big smile on her Explore the local fishing villageNot too far from Hoi An market along the Hoai river bank, there is a fishing village where you can walk around to see the local fisherman catch their daily products and explore the surrounding local farms. The best time to see the local activities here is in the early in the morning or late in the local foods in Hoi AnHoi An offers many great Vietnamese cuisines. The signature dishes are Com Ga Chicken rice, Cao Lau Pork noodle Hoi An style and Banh Mi which all combine a range of flavours to produce a delicious Cao LauOne of Hoi An's signature dishes is Cao Lau, a pork noodle dish served with fresh vegetables. It is native of the region so is difficult to find elsewhere, so I recommend you try it while you can! The stall at 26 Thai Phien is the local favourite so you can be guaranteed a good meal if you eat Chicken riceCom Ga chicken rice is another local specialty that you cannot miss out on. Shredded free range chicken is served with Vietnamese coriander and special yellow rice cooked from chicken broth. This dish is a favourite of mine although I have tried many other dishes around Hoi An. My favourite chicken rice restaurant is Com Ga Ba Buoi on 22 Phan Chu Trinh Ga Ba Buoi from the frontThis shop has been in Hoi An for more than 30 years, all the way from the current owner back to his Grandma. What makes the chicken rice here special is the free range chicken that comes with homemade chili sauce. The cosy ambience and the shop itself is in a authentic old house make the experience more special. On top of all this the price is very reasonable, around $4 per special dish so you have no excuses not to try it!3. Banh MiAlthough Banh Mi can be found anywhere in Vietnam, Hoi An is the home of two world famous Banh Mi stalls. Banh Mi Phuong, 2B Phan Chu Trinh, which was Anthony Bourdain’s favourite, when he visited Vietnam. Another famous stall is Banh Mi Madam Khanh aka The Banh Mi Queen on 115 Tran Cao roll of banh mi Phuong, which is balanced and rich in Che Vietnamese dessertIf you have a sweet tooth, head into the ancient town and indulge in the Vietnamese dessert called Che, sold by many street vendors. I find Che “Hat Sen” or lotus seed Che to be the most refreshing and appetising dessert to sate your desire for Fine diningAlthough I prefer street food in Vietnam, from time to time I treat myself to a nice meal in nice restaurants where the food preparation is an art. In Hoi An, a good example of one of these kinds of restaurants is Mango only do they have an open kitchen where you can see the food preparation process, but they also have one of the best view in town. If you are on a date night, this is the perfect place where you can get a view of the whole street over the balcony, whilst enjoying your romantic to visit avoid November and DecemberHidden gems Faifo coffee, Banh Mi Madam Khanh, Banh Mi Phuong, Reach Out teahouseRestaurants Com Ga Nga 8 Phan Chu Trinh, Com Ga xi 47/2 Tran Hung Dao.Things to do Bike ride, wander around ancient town, visit Cua Dai beach, have tailored to get here The only way to go to Hoi An is from Danang. As Danang central Vietnam is a big city, flights are frequent and take about 1 hour. Alternatively, coaches are available and take about 20 hours from Saigon or Hanoi to Transportation The town is about 30 kms from Danang city centre. You can buy a shuttle bus ticket directly from the airport for around $20. Alternatively, you can always use taxis. Taxis fare is around 250,000 VND but you can always negotiate with the drive for the fix price. An acceptable one is from 200,000 to 250,000 VND $12 USD. If you plan to stay in Danang, you can rent a motorbike and ride there. The road is straight forwards and is a local insider living in Saigon. He was born in Saigon and grew up in Australia. Alex is passionate for travelling and has been to 26 countries.

off the beaten path hoi an