BUDGET TRAVEL GUIDE TO HOI AN, VIETNAM

One of the things that we love most about Vietnam, is that every place you visit carries its own unique charm. From astounding landscapes in the north, beautiful beaches in the South, fascinating yet utterly chaotic cities and a vibrant culture throughout, it’s certainly an exciting country to explore. Thankfully it’s also one of the cheaper countries to travel in SE Asia, and can be a backpackers paradise for those of us travelling on a shoestring budget. Here is your budget travel guide to Hoi An.

Hoi An is one of the more remarkable places we visited during our 6 weeks in Vietnam. And despite the mass tourism that resides there, this quaint little city has managed to maintain it’s elegance and charm. However, where there are tourists, there are money making opportunities. And it would be easy to spend more money than is really necessary. Of course, being the bargain-hungry backpackers that we are, we set out to find how we could enjoy this beautiful city without splashing the cash!

Hoi An Vietnam – Budget Travel Guide

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Things to do in Hoi An on a Budget

Here are some of the top things to do in Hoi An on a budget!

Watch the Sunrise over the Rice Fields

The rice fields are worth visiting at any time of the day, however, there is a magical golden glow at sunrise, that make the early morning start more than worthwhile. The easiest way to get there is by bicycle, which is available to rent all over the city. However, most guesthouses provide them free of charge to guests. If you are using google maps, search for Nguyen Trai Street to find the nearest rice fields, and then cycle around to find your perfect spot.

RICE FIELD MAP LOCATION

Go on a Photo Spree

There is no question that Hoi An is one of the most instagrammable cities throughout SE Asia. Tourists literally queue for pictures with the iconic lanterns or the Instagram famous ‘Hoi An Vibes Only’ wall; however pretty much anywhere in the old town makes for a good photo. (Are you following us on Instagram? Follow us here!)

Tip – For those who are interested, the HOI AN VIBES ONLY wall can be found in an interior design store called SUNDAY. It’s free to visit. Although they don’t ask you to buy anything in order to get your picture, it is a nice gesture if you do. It’s actually a really nice store so you shouldn’t struggle to find something that you like.

SUNDAY MAP LOCATION

Explore the Ancient Quarter

The ancient quarter, a UNESCO world heritage site, is an absolute joy to walk or cycle around. The historical & mystical architecture, combined with blooming flowers & charming lanterns make this place feel like something out of a fairy tale. Go early in the morning to admire the beauty of the old town before the crowds hit. And in the evening, enjoy a drink by the canal & witness the pretty lanterns glow into life.

Entrance Fee: To simply meander the old town is free of charge, however, if you wish to enter any of the sights such as the temples, old houses etc. then you will need to purchase a ticket for 120,000 VND.

ANCIENT QUARTER MAP LOCATION

Take a Free Bike Tour

Discover the unexplored countryside in Hoi An with www.freetour.com – A group of local university students who offer free bicycle tours around some of the local villages.

COST: They do not provide the bicycles FOC, however, they have them available to rent for 30,000 VND if required.

Relax on the Beach

Yes, Hoi An is one of those cities where you also have the privilege of a beach nearby. So when you’ve had enough of the hustle & bustle of the city, why not head to An Bang or Cua Dai for an inexpensive day of relaxing on the beach.

COST: Free

BEACH MAP LOCATIONS

Where to Eat in Hoi An on a Budget

Here are all the best places to eat in Hoi An on a budget.

Claypot

Best For:  Local Food

This beautiful little restaurant offers an extensive menu of local food, however, their speciality is the incredible Claypot (hence the name). There is a 30-minute wait that they pre-warn you of, but once the sizzling hot plate is served, I can guarantee you will not regret your decision. Simply delicious! They also serve White Rose here – a yummy local dish of Shrimp Dumplings – A must try when in Hoi An!

Price Range: Between 70,000 – 100,000 VND

CLAYPOT MAP LOCATION

Minh Hien

Best For:  Vegetarian Food

If you are looking for spectacular vegetarian food, then this place is not to be missed. They offer a huge choice of dishes including soups, curries, noodles & rice – all utterly delectable in taste.

Price Range: Between 40,000-70,000 VND

MINH HIEN MAP LOCATION

Ganesh

Best For:  Indian Food

We are suckers for a good Indian and after experiencing the incredible sister restaurant in Hue, we couldn’t resist giving this one a try as well. It isn’t the cheapest compared to other restaurants in Hoi An, however, it is probably one of the best Indian’s we have ever had – so for us, it was completely worth it.

Price Range: 100,000 – 140,000 VND

GANESH MAP LOCATION

Hoi An Night Market

Best For: Street Food

Cheap & Delicious street food from 5 pm. There are restrictions in place within the old town that restrict vendors selling street food;  however, there is plenty to be found at the daily night market. We thoroughly enjoyed sampling all of the best street food in Hoi An, with favourites being the Bahn Mi and Bahn Xeo.

NIGHT MARKET MAP LOCATION

Where to Stay in Hoi An on a Budget

We recommend – Thien Tan Homestay. Conveniently located halfway between the beach and old town, we have nothing but good things to say about this homestay. For an extremely reasonable price, we had a huge room with a kingsize bed, modern en-suite bathroom and a fridge. The inclusive breakfast was delicious and there were a good variety of options to choose from.

For more places to stay in Hoi An, check the latest prices here.

How to Get to Hoi An on Budget

The cheapest and most reliable way to get around Vietnam is by bus. We recommend 12go.asia,  the buses are clean and comfortable.

More on Vietnam

Planning a trip to Vietnam? Check out our other articles to help plan your trip.

• THE ABANDONED WATER PARK IN HUE
• TOP 15 INSTAGRAM SPOTS OF VIETNAM – ULTIMATE GUIDE
• CHEAP EATS & CAFES IN HANOI, VIETNAM
• HA GIANG MOTORBIKE LOOP – TRAVEL GUIDE
• DINING IN THE DARK DINNER DATE, HO CHI MINH

Did you enjoy our budget guide to Hoi An in Vietnam?

Well, that concludes our budget guide to Hoi An in Vietnam.  We hope you enjoy your time in this magical country. If you have any questions or feel we have missed anything, please reach out to us in the comment section below, through our contact us page. Don’t forget to follow us on Instagram here where we share further travel advice & inspiration.

Stay adventurous and Happy travels.

Charlotte & Natalie x

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