Also known as the Venice of Vietnam, Hội An is a magical ancient town and a UNESCO World Heritage Site that I can assure it will give you an unforgettable experience. So far is my favorite city in Vietnam!

Hội An is a relatively small town but so delightful where a few days (3 could be enough) are perfect to relax in a very chill atmosphere specially if you are coming from other cities in Vietnam.

I want to share with you some tips and things you should know if it’s your first time visiting or maybe change your mind if you don’t have Hội An on your bucket list yet 😉

How to get there?

If you are flying the closest airport is DaNang International Airport then you can take a bus, private car, shuttle or taxi to get to Hội An. The easiest and fastest way is by taxi or private car/shuttle either way is not expensive and it takes around 40-60 minutes to get to Hội An depending on the traffic.

I used a service called get your guide, it was super reliable with really good prices. I took the private shuttle and cost me only 137,454 VND ($6), they picked me up at the airport on time and dropped me at my hotel in Hội An.

*Remember to check if you require a visa to visit Vietnam before you go (Costa Rica citizens need one).

Currency , ATMs, credit/debit cards

The currency in Vietnam is the Vietnamese Dong (VND) and is around 22,740 VND for every $1 and 27,825 VND for every 1€. Some places take cards but is better to carry cash with you all the time. Hội An is very safe so you don’t have to worry about that just be careful like in any other place.

Where to stay?

As I told you before Hội An is a small town so it won’t be difficult to move around (the best way is renting a bike!). I’d recommend you to stay close to Old Town, from there you can go pretty much everywhere cycling. There’re plenty of places to stay, Airbnb has a lot of options for every budget and in general the accommodation in Hội An is very cheap. I stayed at Eden Homestay it was really pleasant and it had a great location.

Things to do

Besides eating pho everyday 😛 here are some of the things you should do in lovely Hội An:

• Hội An Lantern Festival: This is the thing you can’t miss in this town, it’s so magical! It takes place only once a month in the full moon so try to be there around those days and you will have an incredible night full of magic and amazing energy. You can light up your own candle and make a wish while your lantern goes away in the river with hundreds more!
• Rent a bike and explore the city: You can rent a bike for really cheap or there’re free bike tours. The best way to see it is definitely ciclyng and getting lost in this beautiful town.

• Take a Vietnamese cooking class: Everybody knows Vietnamese cuisine is deliciousss so what better way to learn to cook a local dish than from a local. There are a lot of places where you can choose from, just ask your homestay/hotel and see which one sounds better for you.

• Visit The Marble Mountains in Da Nang City: Located around 40 minutes from Hội An you can find Da Nang City and here you can see The Marble Mountains. It’s a half day trip that I really recommend, you can go by yourself or there’re tours available, the place is really cool and the view is stunning. You can find more about The Marble Mountains here.

• Go to the beach in Hội An:  Yes, there’s a beach in Hội An! Go enjoy a drink in Cua Dai beach, is really close to Old Town and you can get there by bike. 
• Discover Old Town by day and by night: Going to Old Town in Hội An is one of the main things to do. It’s really beautiful and magical with its fairy tale surroundings and the cutest souvenirs and handicrafts, I went everyday day while I was there! Make sure to cross the Japanese Covered Bridge and take lots of pictures. By night almost all the lights go down and only some lamps and candle lights are on which make it look amazing besides all of the famous lantern shops lightning up the streets!

Hội An makes you fall in love with Vietnam even more and makes you want to go back again really soon! I hope this little guide helps you if it’s your first time visiting.

Thanks for reading and would love to hear if you have been to Hội An before or if it’s in your plans. Leave a comment below and let’s talk!

Happy adventures 😀

Photos by me