Traveling to Hoi An means you might break your wallet because there’s simply so many beautiful things to buy and do. Every corner and shop is more breathtaking than the other, and it’s easy to get caught in the moment and buy everything you see (well, almost!). Even if you’re on a tight budget, you’ll be tempted to buy at least something here.
Have a look at what you should spend your money on in Hoi An.
1. Lanterns
Hoi An is famous for its lanterns and you’ll notice quickly how every shop and street has them. They come in all kinds of colors, shapes and sizes, but the most regular ones are painted with flowers. If you’re considering buying a lantern, it’s a great place to do your shopping. Not only will you have a lot to choose from, you might also feel inspired when you see the hundreds of lanterns light up when night falls.
2. Tailor made clothes
Walk amongst hundreds of fabrics, pick and choose and design your own piece of clothing. There’s a ton of tailors in Hoi An so you have plenty of options. Go ask at least 4 different tailors for the price and try to not settle for the first one. It’s always better to ask around first to ensure you get a fair price. Depending on what you wan to get tailored, it usually takes about a day or two, so if your trip to Hoi An is short, you might have to skip this one. Luckily, there’s a ton of already made clothes that you can shop in Hoi An.
3. Coffee and Tea
There’s an abundance of good coffee and tea in Hoi An. When you’re here, stop by one of the five Hoi An Roastery coffee shops. What makes them special is that their coffee is sourced directly from the farms near Dalat. They make sure that the farmers are paid fair prices and that they only receive the highest quality of robusta and arabica beans. Also, make sure that you stop by the “Reaching Out” teahouse, which is run by lovely people who are hearing impaired. You order by filling in a form with the desired tea/coffee of your choice and if you want to have a cake with it (highly recommended!). They also have a tea tasting set.
4. Rent a bike/scooter
It won’t cost you a lot and it’s a fun way to explore the outskirts of Hoi An, or even go to Da Nang! Traffic here is a bit less intense than in the bigger cities, but it’s always good to be cautious. If you’re renting a scooter you should make your way to the Marble Mountains. It’s do-able with a bicycle, but takes about an hour there and one hour back. Otherwise; it’s always a good idea to bike to the beach, relax and unwind with a good book in your hands.
5. Banana shirts
Let’s face it – we all love to hate them but also love to wear them. The banana shirts has taken the world by storm and there’s no better place to buy one but here. They come in all sizes and with different colors and fruits too (although the banana shirt is a classic). If you want to make a bigger statement, why not buy a pair of matching pants and a hat!
6. Bags
Looking for that perfect leather bag but haven’t found it yet? Then you’re in the perfect spot! Hoi An is famous for making leather shoes and bags, but it’s their bags that impress the most. They have plenty of bag shops that you can choose from.
7. Art
There’s a few art galleries in Hoi An here which sells some beautiful Vietnamese art. The paintings are one of the best souvenirs to bring home and they’re easy to carry around too. Bring back a piece of Vietnam to your home that’ll always remind you of the good time you had in Hoi An.
Before you travel to Vietnam, make sure that you apply for a Visa before you arrive to Vietnam. You have three options to choose from, depending on your citizenship. The first, and most preferred, option is to apply for a Visa on Arrival. You fill out the application form online, send it, wait for confirmation letter and it’s done! The confirmation letter usually arrives within a few days. Your other option is to apply for an E-Visa. However, this visa isn’t eligible for everyone, but for a few countries only. Third option is to go to the nearest Vietnamese Embassy or Consulate and apply with them.
