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Visiting Southeast Asian countries had always been on our wish list but honestly, it was a little intimidating. Eastern vs Western culture, language barriers, food differences, etc. So it felt like fate when we received information from our friends at Intentional Travelers that they were going to be hosting a small group tour exploring Hoi An, Vietnam. As true digital nomads, Michelle and Jedd have spent a lot of time living and working there and fell in love with it so much that they wanted to share it with others.
The trip made us fall in love with the city of Hoi An, Vietnam and we wanted to share our experience in the hopes it will open your eyes to the possibility of putting this little gem on your “must see” list.
Your initial view of things may look a bit chaotic...
When we first arrived in Vietnam, it was hard not to notice traffic going in every which way, motorbikes carrying 2, 3, 4 people and everyone beeping their horns constantly. Bicycles, motorbikes, cars, buses, trucks all zooming in truly whatever direction they need to go. But as we sat back and really watched what was going on, I realized….they are calmer/better drivers than Americans. And with seemingly fewer rules!
Understanding transportation in Vietnam is crucial. The majority of traffic consists of motorbikes, which navigate through the streets at a moderate pace in various directions. The frequent honking serves as a signal to other drivers, indicating presence (not frustration), often from behind. Instances of speeding are rare. Motorists focus on the road ahead and exhibit high levels of attentiveness while driving.
Walking across the street doesn’t seem like it should work, but it does!
Walking across the street in Vietnam, particularly in bustling cities like Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City, can seem like a silly endeavor. The streets are often look like a chaotic symphony of motorbikes, cars, and buses, all moving in what appears to be a strategic dance of near-misses and horn honking. The concept of simply walking across such streets might strike one as absurd, akin to stepping into a real-life game of Frogger where the objective is to navigate a river of relentless traffic. Yet, this is the everyday reality for pedestrians in Vietnam, who have mastered the art of timing and confidence, stepping out with a steady pace and a faith that vehicles will flow around them as if by some unspoken rule of the road. It's a practice that can seem silly or even harrowing at first glance, but is just another part of the vibrant street life in Vietnam. Here’s how to do it:
Remain calm
Look both ways and take your first step
Continue to walk confidently and calmly across the street.
Remain at a slow and steady pace. It is very important you do not change your pace, stop, turn around, back up or change course. The traffic around you is like a flowing river and is anticipating your next move. Make sure you remain predictable!
Our friends Jedd and Michelle posted a great video showing exactly how this works. Check it out here.
Be sure to explore the alleys
Not something often advised in travel (especially here in the US) but in Hoi An, it’s where you will find hidden gems of the city. Shops and restaurants are part of almost every home in the city with their only advertising being maybe a small sign and an open door.
One man's trash is another man's treasure
Another thing we quickly noticed walking around town was that there was a lot of food wrappers, discarded rice and candy found all over the ground. Whie this may seem like simple trash at first, it’s actually part of a much deeper ritual.
Most Vietnamese have a religious practice of ancestor worship and will often/daily pray, burn incense and put out offerings for their ancestors. Their belief is that the deceased continue to live in another realm in the afterlife and the living must care for the needs of the ancestors.
We often saw small tables/alters outside homes and businesses in the evenings where people would burn incense and paper. The paper representing money. You will also see offerings of food (rice, candy, fruit).
Don't miss an after dark walk through Old Town
The streets of Old Town are closed to vehicles after a certain time in the evenings and the lanterns begin to glow. The crowds are much thicker at night but it’s worth walking around for the photography opportunities alone. The streets and river come alive with restaurants, souvenir shops and beautifully colored lanterns.
Don't miss an early morning walk through Old Town
Early morning in Old Town gives you a very difference perspective. The streets are quiet and the shops have yet to open so again this is a great time to capture photos of the river, the boats and the iconic yellow buildings. You can also get a great view of the Japanese bridge and iconic pedestrian bridge.
Nearby you can venture into the busy market area where most of Hoi An will be shoulder to shoulder, buying their meats, herbs and produce for the day. It’s a little hectic making your way through the crowds but worth the experience to see all the different types of fresh food available.
Ride a bike through the rice paddies
This activity ranked among our favorites. It proves quite relaxing, allowing one to observe the daily life within the gardens and rice paddies. The delightful aroma of the rice fields remains unforgettable. Now, when I smell rice cooking, memories of our walks and bike rides through Hoi An's rice paddies always come to mind.
There are numerous places to rent bicycles and motorbikes throughout the city. Your homestay, hotel or Airbnb will likely have them available for you too.
If you go for a bike ride earlier in the morning, you’ll beat the heat and see more people out tending the crops.
Vietnamese cooking classes
So many of the restaurants in Hoi An offer cooking classes and it’s really a great introduction to the culture of the cuisine. From here come many internationally known dishes like cao lau (fresh rice noodles with pork and greens).
We had the pleasure of visiting the market with our instructor Mi from Bong Hoi An’s Cooking Class & Eco Tour to buy fresh ingredients for making our spring rolls and chicken slaw salad. The food was so good and it was so much fun working with Mi in her family’s restaurant kitchen.
Exploring the countryside with a motorbike tour
Our motorbike tour was definitely another highlight of our trip. There are many motorbike or Easy Rider tour drivers available all over town that can take you out into the countryside. We were lucky to have Phu and his amazing crew of drivers from Hoi An Motorbike Tour Adventures take us through the small villages, fishing areas and even to visit the My Son ruins.
Fast facts for first time tourist in Vietnam
The currency is the Vietnamese Dong, but prices in USD are common. $1 USD is about 25,000 Dong
The Vietnam War, known locally as the American War, remains a subject of great interest for tourists and travelers, particularly those from nations such as the United States or Australia that participated in the conflict. To the Vietnamese, the war is "in the past" and you witness a nation that has not only endured but also prospered following the war's end.
Nearly everyone has to get a Tourist Visa before traveling to Vietnam. However, obtaining a Vietnam Tourist Visa is fairly easy, as the Vietnamese government allows tourists to apply either online or on arrival, through a facilitated process.
Haggling in Vietnam, like in many other places, is often expected and even appreciated. A few tips on this:
Approach the negotiation with a friendly attitude and know the general price range of the item you want to buy. Vendors often mark up prices significantly, so don't be afraid to start with a price much lower than what you're willing to pay. This gives you room to negotiate and still end up at a price you're comfortable with.
Be ok with walking away: Sometimes, vendors will refuse to meet your price. Don't be afraid to walk away if you feel like you're not getting a fair deal.
Cash is king in Vietnam, especially when haggling. Vendors are more likely to give you a better deal if you're paying in cash, as it saves them from credit card fees.
While haggling can be fun, it's important to know when to stop. If you've reached a price that you're happy with and the vendor is unwilling to go any lower, it may be time to accept the offer and make the purchase. Remember that vendors are trying to make a living, so be reasonable with your offers. If you feel like you're getting a fair deal, don't push too hard for an even lower price.
Driving in Vietnam is not very advisable except maybe by bike or motorbike. It is very congested and chaotic. Here’s a great article I found that explains things much better than I can.
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Have you been to Hoi An? What was your experience? Share with us in the comments below
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