Hoi An

Hoi An reviews

Backchat from the Travelfish community

• Hoi An is nice place to visit

  My friend and i went to Hoian in April 2011. We booked a hotel and car pick up and tour..... by Yourlocalbooking.com . Everything is great , nothing to say worse !We stayed at Hoian Beach Resort, we did enjoy max to spend our vacation night there! Best service we've ever experienced. Would stay here again if ever in the area. As an example of the service quality, they checked with airline before our departure to make sure all was in order and came across an issue where my husband's booking wasn't found. We didn't have the reservation code but they somehow got access to the records and were able to sort it out so we were all set to depart smoothly. Not sure any other hotel would go this far, particularly without being prompted to do so!

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  By lelee123 (dabbler)
  Written on 13th March, 2012 after a visit to Hoi An in April, 2011

  
  

• They say stay - I say day trip

  I'm going to agree here - but disagree that it is still a great place to base yourself out of (See my review of Da Nang). If you've been to Chiang Mai, Luang Prabang, Lijiang, etc - then you know what to expect form Hoi'an and I'm sure a stay for one or two nights will be fine. However, I didn't find the place that photogenic, and the while the bars on the beach are nice, the beach is a lot dirtier than the one in Da Nang, which probably gets cleaned more often and has fewer tourists leaving garbage behind. Most of what you'd buy here you should haggle like crazy for, and really - are you coming to an 'old town' to shop for crafts/crap? If the answer to that is yes - then you'll like it here, but I found the three cities I mentioned above far more photogenic and less crowded than Hoi'an (Save for Chiang Mai to be honest, though I found that had a better overall traveller scene).
  
  All that said, you can find some interesting shops, and a place to sit down for a beer. If you're headed north or south with your own bike you may as well stop for a night here before moving on. Though, I think you'd enjoy basing out of Da Nang more and just spending a day here. Maybe I'm just tired of going to the 'same city' over and over again, and if you are just visiting and as the review says ''know what you're getting into'' then you probably will find this a pleasant place to stay.

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  By caseyprich (dabbler)
  Written on 1st February, 2012 after a visit to Hoi An in January, 2012

  Also reviewed by caseyprich: Battambang, Can Tho, Champasak, China Beach, Da Nang, Don Dhet, Gili Meno, Hue, Kampot, Kawah Ijen,

• An enigma

  Hoi An is an enigma. On the one hand, it's a charming, extremely photogenic place with nice, friendly locals and good food/accommodations. The nearby beach is an added plus.
  It is quite beautiful at night as all the shops start to light up their windows.
  I thought the sellers were fine and friendly. Obviously, they try to get you to go in their shops, but they weren't too oppressive (to me).
  On the other hand, it is an overt tourist trap. While you can probably get some nice handmade clothes made, most of the 'shops' carry what clearly look like mass-produced factory products from China.
  If you do some shopping you should visit Lifestart - an NGO helping the disabled and disadvantaged around Hoi An. They actually make a lot of handmade and unique items (scarves, notecards, jewelry etc.). The nice thing is that the products are handmade locally, unique and of a very high quality. Much better option than buying a factory-made doodad.

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  By Andrewjmarino (dabbler)
  Written on 24th October, 2011 after a visit to Hoi An in October, 2011

  Also reviewed by Andrewjmarino: Banteay Chhmar, Phimai, Surin,

• Hoi An

  As the above two reviews but somehow it retains its charm. I considered staying 3 nights but having got round it in a day and a half I'm leaving after 2 night's. But it is quaint and pretty. Bikes and motos abound but having arrived here from a 6 day Easyrider tour I wanted to walk around ! Enjoy this pretty little town.

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  By Prettyfish16 (dabbler)
  Written on 31st July, 2011 after a visit to Hoi An in July, 2011

  Also reviewed by Prettyfish16: Kampot, Kanchanaburi,

• So so

  Hoi An is so so. As long as you know what you're getting into, you'll have fun.
  
  Pros: You get to experience an "old town" and walk along the narrow streets, enjoying the riverside and (sort of) countryside. Check out The Cargo Club (or whatever it's called) -- really good chocolate croissants at a fair price for something so delicious, the coffee is good too. If you escape town on a bike/motorbike, it's great to see what life is like away from so many Westerners. But then again, if that's what you want to do, you shouldn't come to Hoi An in the first place.
  
  Cons: Extremely overpriced and without a currency exchange that will buy VND back (I was told by a number of local banks that I needed to change my VND back in the US). When you pay for your room, if your price is quoted in dollars, you will likely pay 21,000 VND per dollar, rather than the market price of 19,000 or so. Additionally, eating here is (relative to the rest of the country) extremely expensive -- e.g. six spring rolls for 45,000 rather than 18,000 in HMC. Finally, the town is flooded with Westerners, something I note as a Con, but something that might make others feel more comfortable and safe.
  
  So like I said, overall, as long as you see everything coming in advance and know what to expect, Hoi An is a pretty cool little town.

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  By oldsole00 (dabbler)
  Written on 27th January, 2011 after a visit to Hoi An in January, 2011

  
  

• Hoi An is well worth a visit

  Hoi An is well worth a visit. Easily accessible, can walk, hire a bike, ride a cycle or catch a taxi if necessary. Exactly as described above. Today is raining so it is not as fun but great opportunity to go to Cooking school. I am enjoying watching the passing traffic and seeing who is wearing the most creative rain wear.
  last night at high tide the river front had risen over the bank in one section but one only needed to walk to the next block to gain access to restaurants.
  Have noticed a couple of rats in one restaurant but guess this is part and parcel of living close to river and providing an abundant food supply for these rodents. Anyone else got a similiar story? This was a place recommended in guide books and seemed very clean otherwise.
  
  Towards the end of town there is a new (?)swanky place called ''Brothers'' - lovely garden setting. plenty of riverside tables, lunch and dinner and have yet to try the food.
  
  Repetitive range of shopping options, fabric, tailors, shoes, eating but this is a tourist town. Enjoyed the heritage buildings. Highlight for me is watching ordinary people trying to earn a living and seeing such industry for so little return which is what I suspect applies in the embroidery shop I saw yesterday.
  
  I am actually here early January but this PC's time setting is out of whack and could only go as far as Deember.
  Hoi An is well worth a visit. joyV2

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  • I'll be back (or not)

  By Joyvee2 (dabbler)
  Written on 4th January, 2011 after a visit to Hoi An in December, 2010

  
  

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