Dates Visited: July 10 2023 – July 16 2023

Tour Agencies/Guides/Fixers

For the most part, a tour guide/fixer is not necessary in Vietnam but you might find it useful to have a private driver. For my group of 13, I hired private drivers for day trips via TSM Tours (WhatsApp: +84 97 494 02 69) – since I can speak Vietnamese, communication with the drivers or any locals was never an issue. The drivers were reasonably priced for a large group and I have no complaints about the service either.

Arriving

Da Nang International Airport (DAD)

This is Vietnam’s newest and most modern airport – expect prices to be expensive – even rivaling U.S. airport prices for concessions. The airport is clean, efficient and meets Western standards. There is one Priority Pass lounge that has a decent hot food buffet for international departures.

Immigration/Customs

Uneventful, all that is needed from you is your Passport and eVisa (if necessary for your nationality) – expect an easy stamp-and-go experience.

Currency

The Vietnamese Dong is the main currency you’ll use in Vietnam – U.S. dollars are accepted at tailor shops in Hoi An for large-scale purchases but otherwise the dong is de facto. There are about 5-7 currency exchange counters located right outside the exit of DAD airport – the rates seem to be the same and each counter is eager for customers shouting (in Korean) at prospective customers. I would say, just pick at random.

Credit cards are only accepted at major shops, restaurants and hotels – expect to pay cash for small stalls and mom and pop restaurants.

Taxis/Rideshare/Local Transportation

Grab is your best friend here, download the app, link a credit card and try a GrabBike too. I didn’t use local transportation/buses. If you want to have a private driver for the day on day trips from Hoi An to Hue or Da Nang, I recommend hiring a driver from TSM tours. Private drivers are inexpensive and save you a lot of time and hassle. For short trips within Hoi An or another city, Grab will do.

SIM Cards/Wi-Fi

SIM cards are available at baggage claim within the DAD airport, the vendors take cash or credit card since at this point you won’t have Vietnamese dong yet. I recommend Viettel, Mobifone or Vinaphone. Do not get Vietnam Mobile by any means. The plans are reasonably priced and have unlimited data.

WiFi is available at hotels and restaurants but speeds may not be great. The WiFi at my hotel was slower than the 4G connection from Viettel.

Sightseeing

Hoi An

Coconut Boat Ride (with Coconut Garden Tours)

This is one of the most-popular tourist activities in Hoi An, you’ll take a ride down a coconut forest in a circular basket boat. There are many vendors offering this activity but the best and most reliable is Coconut Garden Tours (coconutgardentours.com or +84 76 669 4840 on WhatsApp) – she speaks multiple languages and her prices are very reasonable. She can also help arrange a driver because there is a known scam where Grab drivers will redirect you to another coconut boat agency that will pay them commission instead of the one you originally intended to go to. This activity also involves a fishing demonstration, boat spinning show, and more. You can even volunteer to be spun around in the boat if that’s your fancy – not for me though, I get motion sickness quite easily. I believe there is also a cooking class for a local meal possible as well if your group opts for that option.

Night River Lantern Boat Ride

Along the river in the old town of Hoi An, you can hire a boat to take you out at night to release a paper lantern. Tickets are sold by the river, cash only and were reasonably priced – I don’t recall the exact prices. Lanterns are bought from the vendors for about 10 thousand dong each. It’s a nice romantic activity to do at night.

Old Town

Full of cafes, restaurants, spas, and tailor shops – the old town of Hoi An is a walkable destination full of picture ops everywhere you go. I recommend spending a few hours walking through this area getting a sense of Hoi An as you go.

Da Nang

Lady Buddha

A very large Buddha complex and Buddhist temples and pagodas near it.

Han Market

Crowded, packed, market catering to both tourists and locals where you can buy souvenirs or foods.

Sunworld Ba Na Hills

A massive theme park complex built into the side of a mountain, requires a cable car ride to get here, lots of activities, food, and things to do if you’re into theme parks.

Cho Dem Son Tra

Vietnamese night market near the center of Da Nang, good for shopping and walking around at night sampling food and drink.

Hue

Làng hương Thủy Xuân – Cô Hoa Incense Village

Thuy Tien Lake Water Park

Restaurants

Hoi An

The Streets Hoi An

A nice local Vietnamese sit-down restaurant for large groups, expect to be the only tourists here though. There is an English menu available.

Madam Khanh

A banh mi sandwich shop, expect no-frills service and limited seating.

Banh Mi Sum

A banh mi sandwich shop, expect no-frills service and limited seating. My favorite for the meat and fillings but the Banh Mi Phuong shop has better bread.

Banh Mi Phuong

A banh mi sandwich shop, expect no-frills service and limited seating. My favorite for the bread itself – Anthony Bourdain went here and made it famous so expect a queue (15-20 minutes). They churn out the sandwiches quite fast though.

Quan Cao lau Ba Le

Sit-down hole in the wall joint down an alleyway serving up a Hoi An specialty noodle dish – cao lau.

Phở mười an hội cs2

Hole-in-the-wall pho place for breakfast, a giant bowl with every topping is only 50k dong. Great deal. No English menu or English speakers here so come prepared with Google Translate.

HOME Hoi An

Upscale Vietnamese restaurant, a bit on the pricier side but a nice environment. Their grilled beef on hot stones is delicious.

Bun Dau Ha An

Roadside stall serving “bun dau”, fried tofu, pork belly, pork innards, with vermicelli noodles and a very strong fermented shrimp paste (acquired taste)

Nhà Hàng Hải Sản Gió Biển, Cửa Đại, Hội An

Along the beach, this restaurant serves live freshly caught seafood prepared however you want it. Seafood is generally sold by the kilo.

Bún Đậu Mắm Tôm _PơTao

Roadside stall serving “bun dau”, fried tofu, pork belly, pork innards, with vermicelli noodles and a very strong fermented shrimp paste (acquired taste)

Hue

Hue Cuisine

A nice sit-down place to sample some of Hue’s local cuisine like noodles and savory filled cakes.

Da Nang

Banh Xeo Ba Duong

Chaotic, very local, hole-in-the-wall for Vietnamese fried crepes (banh xeo) – not the most sanitary or cozy place but well worth the visit for the food.

Accommodation

Silkotel Hoi An

Where we stayed in Hoi An – a very humble four-star hotel that has both rooms and villas. Staff is very friendly and the location is nice. No complaints.

Four Seasons Resort, The Nam Hai

Visited here for a day pass ($55) – an amazing private beach with infinity pools. This is one of the most expensive hotels in Vietnam and it shows. Expect 5-star service and amenities across the board.