Hoi An, Honestly
We make custom suits. We also live here. This is the page we wished existed when our friends visited — a real, locally-sourced answer to every small question tourists actually ask, written by people who'd give the same advice over coffee.
No affiliate links. No fluff. Just the truth, with prices in 2026 dong and the local context that turns "it depends" into a real answer.
Money & Tipping
Tipping isn't traditionally Vietnamese. Tourism brought it. Here's what's actually appreciated vs. expected — and the local wages that put it in context.
Most service workers here earn 5-8 million VND per month (roughly $200-320). A 50,000 VND tip ($2) at a sit-down restaurant is genuinely generous — that's about a quarter of a day's wages for a server. 100,000 VND ($4) is a memorable kindness. Tipping is appreciated, not expected.
If a check totals 500,000 VND ($20) and you leave 50,000 VND ($2), you've already tipped 10% — strong by Vietnamese standards.
Not required. The fare is the fare. If they helped with luggage or took an unusually long trip, rounding up by 10,000-20,000 VND (under $1) is friendly. Most locals don't tip drivers.
Yes, this is the one place tipping is genuinely customary. For a half-day private tour, 100,000-200,000 VND per person ($4-8) is standard. For a full-day private tour, 200,000-400,000 VND ($8-16) per person. Group tours: 50,000-100,000 VND ($2-4) is fine.
At spas (especially the ones in An Bang or near the Old Town): 50,000-100,000 VND ($2-4) on top of the price is generous and appreciated. The therapist usually only sees a fraction of what you paid the spa.
10,000-20,000 VND per day (under $1) left on the pillow with a note is a small gesture that means a lot. Many guests don't tip at all and that's culturally fine — but the housekeeping team will remember if you do.
Cash for street food, markets, taxis, and most small shops. Card is fine at sit-down restaurants in the Old Town, hotels, and our shop (we accept Stripe). ATMs are everywhere — Vietcombank and BIDV machines are reliable. Carry small bills (10k, 20k, 50k VND) for daily expenses.
Best rates are at gold shops (look for signs reading 'Tiệm vàng' or 'Vàng bạc' in the Old Town) — they typically beat bank rates by 1-2%. Avoid airport exchange counters. ATMs from Vietcombank, BIDV, or Techcombank give you the bank rate plus a small fee. Bring USD or EUR in clean, unmarked bills.
Backpacker comfortable: $30-50/day (homestay, banh mi lunches, beer, occasional tour). Mid-range comfortable: $80-120/day (boutique hotel, restaurant meals, day tours, a couple of cocktails). Luxury: $200+/day (5-star resort, drivers, fine dining). Hoi An is one of the most affordable places in Vietnam — your money goes far.
Old Town & Tickets
The Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The ticket system is famously confusing. Here's the truth.
Officially yes, in practice it's loosely enforced. The ticket is 120,000 VND ($5) for foreigners and gives you entry to 5 of the 22 protected heritage sites (ancient houses, assembly halls, the museum). You can wander the streets, eat, shop, and take photos without one — but if you want to enter any historic building, you'll need it. Buy it from the booths at the main entry points.
It's worth it. Tan Ky house and the Phuc Kien assembly hall alone justify the $5. The ticket is valid 24 hours.
It reopened in late 2024 after restoration. You can walk across it for free. The interior shrine inside the bridge requires the Old Town ticket. Sunset is the best time for photos — the light hits the structure from the river side.
Every day from roughly 7am-9am and 4pm-9:30pm, the central Old Town streets close to motorbikes and cars. This is when you want to be there. The lantern-lit night atmosphere from 6pm onwards is what people come for.
Every full moon (the 14th-15th day of the lunar month). Electric lights in the Old Town are switched off and only lanterns illuminate the streets. The Hoai River fills with paper lanterns released on the water. It's beautiful, it's also extremely crowded — book restaurants in advance.
The Hoi An Night Market on Nguyen Hoang Street (across the river from the Old Town) runs roughly 5pm-11pm daily. Lanterns, street food, souvenirs. The food stalls along the riverbank in the Old Town start setting up around 4pm.
Food & Drink
Hoi An is one of the great food cities in Asia. Three dishes are local specialties — and the street food is mostly safe to eat. Here's how to do it well.
No. Tap water in Hoi An is not safe for drinking — even locals don't drink it unboiled. Bottled water is everywhere, costs 10,000-15,000 VND for a 1.5L bottle. Use bottled water for brushing teeth too if you're sensitive.
Yes, in any restaurant or cafe targeting tourists. Vietnamese ice is industrially produced from filtered water — you can recognize it by its uniform cylindrical shape with a hole through the middle. Avoid only if it looks like crushed irregular blocks (rare these days).
Yes — and you should. The rule: eat where it's busy and high-turnover. If locals are queueing, the food is fresh and the cooking is hot. Avoid stalls with food sitting in the sun. Banh mi, cao lau, mi quang, com ga (chicken rice) are all generally safe and excellent from street vendors.
(1) Cao Lau — thick noodles with pork and herbs, only authentic when made with water from one specific Hoi An well. (2) White Rose — translucent shrimp dumplings, made by one extended family in town who supply every restaurant. (3) Mi Quang — turmeric noodles in a small amount of broth with shrimp, pork, and peanuts. All cost 30,000-60,000 VND ($1.20-2.40) at local spots.
Best banh mi: Banh Mi Phuong (made famous by Anthony Bourdain) and Madam Khanh (the Banh Mi Queen). Both are walkable from the Old Town. Expect to queue.
Plenty. Hoi An has a strong Buddhist vegetarian tradition — look for signs reading 'Cơm chay' (vegetarian rice). Minh Hien and Thien Phuoc are excellent. Most restaurants in the Old Town can prepare any noodle or rice dish vegetarian on request.
Not in the Old Town — it's tourist-priced. Locals eat in An Hoi (south of the river) and in the streets running east-west away from the Old Town. Look for plastic-stool stalls full of Vietnamese people at lunchtime. Average price for a local meal: 30,000-60,000 VND ($1.20-2.40).
Vietnam takes coffee seriously. Try cà phê sữa đá (iced coffee with sweetened condensed milk) — a national treasure. Specialty third-wave shops worth visiting: Faifoo Coffee, Hi Coffee, Phin Coffee. Old Town egg coffee at Reaching Out Tea House is a wonderful experience.
30,000-50,000 VND ($1.20-2) at most local spots. Larue, Tiger, and Saigon are the standard Vietnamese beers. Bia hơi (fresh draft beer) is sold for 5,000-10,000 VND on plastic stools and is a wonderful afternoon ritual.
Bargaining & Shopping
Bargaining is normal in markets, never in cafes or restaurants. Done politely it's part of the culture. Done aggressively it's just rude.
At the central market and street stalls: counter-offer at 50-60% of asking price, settle around 70-75%. So if a vendor says 200,000 VND, offer 100,000 and expect to land around 140,000-150,000. Smile throughout. The dance is part of the experience for them too.
Restaurants, cafes, supermarkets, fixed-price boutiques, and most modern shops with marked prices. If there's a price tag, the price is the price. Bargaining at a restaurant for your meal is offensive.
If a vendor's first price is more than 3x the realistic price, they're trying their luck. Realistic Hoi An prices: a basic cotton T-shirt is 80,000-150,000 VND ($3-6), a pair of sandals 200,000-400,000 VND ($8-16), a silk lantern 100,000-300,000 VND ($4-12). When in doubt, walk away — they'll often call you back at a fair price.
Custom clothing (the city's signature — see the tailoring section below), silk lanterns (genuine local craft), real ceramics from Thanh Ha pottery village, leather goods from local workshops, ground coffee, authentic conical hats, and lacquerware. Avoid: anything that says 'I LOVE HOI AN' on it (made in China) and 'antique' coins (almost certainly fake).
Smile. Make eye contact. Treat it as a game, not a negotiation. If they say 'no,' that's their final price — accept it gracefully or walk away. Never get angry. A kind 'cảm ơn' (thank you) when you leave, even if you don't buy, leaves a good impression.
Transportation
Hoi An itself is small and walkable. Getting to it from Da Nang Airport, getting to the beach, getting to nearby sights — all worth thinking through.
Three options: (1) Grab car ($14-18, 35-45 minutes). (2) Pre-booked private transfer ($15-25, fixed price, the driver waits for you). (3) Hotel shuttle (often free or cheap if you booked direct). Skip the airport taxi rank — they overcharge. Open the Grab app the moment you land.
Most rentals are 100,000-150,000 VND/day ($4-6). Honest answer: only if you have prior scooter experience and a current motorcycle license at home. Vietnamese traffic looks chaotic but follows its own logic; tourists who haven't ridden before can get hurt. If you do rent: always wear a helmet (it's the law), don't drink anything before riding, and stay off Highway 1 between Hoi An and Da Nang.
Yes — and for getting around Hoi An itself this is the best option. Many hotels include bikes free. Rental shops charge 30,000-50,000 VND/day ($1-2). The Old Town and the route to An Bang Beach (4km) are flat and easy.
60,000-90,000 VND ($2.50-3.60). It's a 10-minute drive. Going to Cua Dai Beach is about the same. Grab is everywhere in Hoi An — usually a car arrives within 3-5 minutes.
Both are popular day trips. My Son (Hindu temple ruins, 1 hour west): join a half-day group tour for $10-15 per person, or hire a private car/driver for $40-60. Marble Mountains (between Hoi An and Da Nang): easier — Grab there, walk around, Grab back, total cost around $20-25.
Very. Hoi An is one of the safest tourist destinations in Southeast Asia. The Old Town is busy and well-lit until 10-11pm. After that, side streets are quiet but not dangerous. Stick to lit areas, keep your phone in a zipped pocket, and you'll be fine.
Tailoring (Our Specialty)
We are tailors. We're not going to pretend to be neutral here. But the advice is honest — including things that work in our competitors' favor.
Look for: established Google reviews (we have 420+), responsive online communication, transparent pricing in writing, and a physical address you can verify on Google Maps. Avoid: shops with no online presence at all, anyone pressuring you to decide on the spot, vague pricing where the final number 'happens' at the end. Important nuance: it's normal and fair for a tailor to charge extra if you ask for changes mid-process — extra buttons, a different lining, swapping fabrics, a customer-requested style tweak after the first fitting. That's a legitimate add-on, not a scam. The red flag is unexplained surprise charges for things you didn't request. Walking out is always an option.
Traditional in-person Hoi An tailoring is 24-48 hours with one or two fittings. For remote customers ordering online from abroad, production takes roughly 3-4 working days once your order is in queue, then shipping (~2 weeks for international tracked delivery). Total time from order to your door is about 3 weeks. If you're visiting Hoi An in person, a 2-day stay is enough — get measured day 1, fitting and pickup day 2.
Quality two-piece suit in good wool: $150-300. Premium Italian wool or cashmere blend: $300-500. Anything under $80 is a synthetic fabric — fine for a costume, not for a suit you'll actually wear. Anything over $700 from a Hoi An tailor is overpriced unless it's pure cashmere or vicuña.
Yes, always. A Pinterest screenshot, an Instagram post, a photo of a suit from a magazine — all welcome. Tailors here are excellent at recreation. Communicating with images solves 90% of the language ambiguity around things like lapel width, button stance, and fit preferences.
Beach & Day Trips
Hoi An is 5 km inland. The beach is ten minutes by bike. The mountains and historic sites are an hour away.
An Bang. Cua Dai has been badly affected by erosion over the last decade — most of the beach is gone in front of the resort strip. An Bang (just north) is cleaner, livelier, and has the better restaurants and beach clubs. Free entry; loungers are 50,000-100,000 VND ($2-4) if you buy food or drinks.
Soul Kitchen for sunset and live music. Salt Pub for casual drinks and games. Deckhouse for upscale food. The Pier for a more local feel. Sun loungers free with a drink purchase at all of them.
Yes, very. It's also genuinely fun and only takes a couple hours. The 'palm-tree forest' is the coconut palm wetlands. Guides spin the basket boats for tips. $10-15 per person from a local agency, $5-10 if you book directly at the dock.
Yes if you have any interest in Cham culture or Khmer-style ruins (think mini Angkor). The ruins themselves are partial — many were destroyed by US bombing during the war — but the setting in the jungle is atmospheric. Go early (7am tour) to beat the heat and the crowds.
Hoi An is the cooking class capital of Vietnam. Red Bridge Cooking School, Morning Glory, and Ms Vy's are the established ones. Expect $25-40 per person for a half-day including market visit, cooking, and the meal you make.
Health & Safety
Hoi An is among the safest places in Vietnam. A few things worth knowing.
Yes, especially after rain and during the wet season (Sept-Dec). Use repellent at dusk. Dengue fever exists but is uncommon for short-stay tourists. Hotels supply mosquito coils for outdoor areas. Long sleeves and long pants in the evening solve most of it.
Standard advice: be current on routine vaccines (MMR, tetanus). Hepatitis A and Typhoid are recommended for Vietnam. Check with your travel doctor 6 weeks before departure. No yellow fever required unless you're arriving from a yellow-fever country.
Pharmacies are everywhere — look for green crosses. Most pharmacists speak basic English and will sell common medications over the counter (including some antibiotics) at very low prices. For anything serious: Hoi An Hospital (Tran Hung Dao Street) handles minor issues; Family Medical Practice in Da Nang is the international-standard clinic, 45 minutes away.
Yes, very. Vietnam in general — and Hoi An specifically — is one of the safest destinations in Asia for solo female travel. Standard precautions apply (don't walk alone in unlit areas late at night, keep your bag closed in crowds). Locals are warm and helpful.
Yes. The sun is stronger than it feels because of the humidity. SPF 50, applied properly, every 2 hours when at the beach. Bring sunscreen from home — local options are limited and expensive.
Weather & When to Visit
The micro-climate matters more than the macro one. Hoi An has distinct seasons.
February through May. Warm but not punishing, low rainfall, blue skies. June through August is hot and humid (35-38°C / 95-100°F). September through December is the rainy season — flooding is common in October and November. January is cool, often grey, occasionally cold by tropical standards (15-18°C / 60-65°F).
In October and November, yes — sometimes seriously. The Hoai River breaks its banks and the Old Town can have ankle-to-knee deep water for a day or two at a time. Locals just put on rubber boots and continue. Hotels move guests to upper floors. Don't book ground-floor rooms in these months.
Light, breathable clothing (cotton, linen) almost year-round. A light rain jacket if visiting in the wet season. One pair of nicer clothes for evenings out. Comfortable walking shoes you don't mind getting wet. A swimsuit. Modest clothing (shoulders covered, knee-length+) for visiting temples.
Yes, despite some rain. Cooler weather (22-26°C / 72-79°F), beautiful light for photos, and Christmas/New Year decorations in the Old Town. The rain comes in short bursts rather than all-day downpours. Just book hotels with pools that are heated or covered.
Etiquette & Culture
Hoi An locals are gracious. Returning the gesture goes a long way.
Always at homes, temples, and homestays. Most boutique shops you don't need to. Look for shoes piled at the entrance — that's the signal. When in doubt, ask or imitate.
Better not. Most temples have a sign requesting covered shoulders and knees. Some lend sarongs at the entrance. Out of respect, change before you go.
Ask first, especially older people. A smile and gesturing at your camera works fine. If someone says no, don't take the photo. If they let you, offering to show them the result is a kindness. Children can be photographed casually, but never solo without a parent's awareness.
'Xin chào' (sin chow) is hello. 'Cảm ơn' (gam un) is thank you. 'Tạm biệt' (tam biet) is goodbye. Vietnamese will be charmed if you use them — perfect pronunciation not required.
Generally very accepting. Vietnam has no laws against same-sex relationships and Hoi An's tourist-driven economy means same-sex couples are welcomed everywhere. Public displays of affection of any kind (including straight) tend to be modest by Vietnamese cultural norms.
Practical
Logistics. SIM cards, WiFi, electricity, scams, language.
Yes — it's transformative. Viettel, Mobifone, or Vinaphone. 200,000-300,000 VND ($8-12) gets you 30 days with plenty of data. Buy at the airport (slightly more expensive but easy) or at any official store in Hoi An (cheaper). Bring your passport.
Generally excellent. Almost every cafe and restaurant has free WiFi and the speeds are good. Hotel WiFi is reliable. Mobile data via local SIM is fast enough for video calls anywhere in town.
Vietnam uses Type A, C, and F sockets at 220V/50Hz. Most hotels accept all three. US travelers need an adapter (US two-pin sometimes works in Type A but unreliable). Check that your devices accept 220V (most modern electronics do).
Cyclo drivers quoting one price and demanding more at the end (agree firmly upfront and pay the agreed price only). Fake antiques (almost everything 'antique' in tourist areas is fake — buy if you like the object, not for investment). Tailors quoting low and charging extra (we covered this above). Restaurant menus without prices (always ask before ordering). The vast majority of Hoi An interactions are honest.
In Hoi An's tourist core: enough for any normal interaction. Restaurants, hotels, shops — all functional in English. Outside the Old Town, much less. A few words of Vietnamese (greetings, thank you, numbers) help anywhere.
Anything we missed?
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Written by people who live here · Updated April 2026