Hoi An Ancient Town – one of the most attractive destinations in Vietnam, not only attracts tourists by its ancient beauty but also by extremely interesting backpacking experiences. If you are planning a Hoi An backpacking trip, join us to discover the most interesting things in this heritage city and this article will help you better understand the Hoi An backpacking itinerary, from standard to standard. equipment, outstanding locations to essential experiences.
General Introduction About Hoi An Ancient Town
Hoi An, an ancient coastal city in Central Vietnam, is not only famous for its ancient beauty but also an attractive destination for those who love backpacking. Traveling to Hoi An is a great opportunity to explore culture, cuisine and unique natural beauty. Hoi An used to be a busy trading port from the 15th to the 19th century. This city played an important role in trade between Asian and European countries. Historical relics such as Cau Pagoda, ancient houses and Chinese assembly halls are living proof of Hoi An’s glorious past. Hoi An culture is a harmonious combination of Vietnamese, Chinese and Japanese cultures. The people here are friendly, hospitable and very proud of their cultural heritage. Traditional festivals such as the Mid-Autumn Festival, lantern festival or cultural events take place regularly, giving visitors memorable experiences.

Figure 1. Hoi An ancient town
Ideal Time to Travel to Hoi An
Hoi An climate and weather: Hoi An has a tropical monsoon climate, with two distinct seasons: dry season from February to August and rainy season from September to January. Best time to go to Hoi An is from February to April, when the weather is cool, pleasant and has little rain.
Best time to travel: If you want to avoid the crowds of tourists, come to Hoi An in August and September. This is the off-peak travel time, allowing you to freely explore the city without worrying about travel. jostling.
Depending on personal preferences, there will be people who like to travel in the rainy season to experience different interesting things compared to summer. You can read details about Hoi An Ancient Town: Four Endless Seasons, Thousands of Attractive Things
Prepare for Hoi An Backpacking Trip

Figure 2. Traveling to Hoi An by motorbike
Great! A trip to Hoi An by motorbike will bring you memorable experiences. For a smooth and safe trip, you need to prepare the following necessary items:
Identification documents and vehicles
- Driver’s license: Remember to bring the original.
- ID card/Passport: To complete accommodation procedures if staying overnight.
- Vehicle registration: To deal with inspection situations.
- Car insurance: Necessary in case an incident occurs.
Clothing and personal belongings
- Clothing: You should choose comfortable clothes that absorb sweat and can dry quickly. Bring a light jacket in case it gets cold.
- Shoes: Choose sturdy, flat-soled sneakers or sandals to protect your feet when moving.
- Sunglasses: Protect your eyes from the sun.
- Scarf: Covers the sun and keeps you warm.
- Helmet: Ensure safety when driving.
- Sunscreen: Protects skin from the harmful effects of UV rays.
- Personal medicine: Small first aid package, flu medicine, digestive medicine…
- Personal toiletries: Toothbrush, toothpaste, towel…
Technical supplies
- Phone: For communication, taking photos, listening to music…
- Backup charger: To ensure the phone is always fully charged.
- Headphones: Listen to relaxing music on the go.
- Camera: To capture beautiful moments.
Other utensils
- Backpack or crossbody bag: To hold personal belongings.
- Water bottle: Always bring water to drink.
- Map or GPS: For orientation and wayfinding.
- Folding umbrella: In case it rains.
- Flashlight: Use when necessary.
- Multi-purpose knife: Can be used to cut fruit, open things…
- Garbage bags: Maintain environmental hygiene.
Note:
- If you are a tourist from abroad, when you rent a motorbike, you need to provide full information to the motorbike rental shop. In particular, you need to learn traffic laws in Vietnam, what I mean here are a few basic things like in Vietnam you will drive on the right hand instead of the left hand like some countries, some signal signs, etc. ..
- Check the vehicle: Before leaving, you should thoroughly check the vehicle to make sure it operates well.
- Planning: before going, make a detailed plan of your itinerary, places you want to visit and budget. Don’t forget to book a hotel or homestay room in advance to avoid running out of rooms, especially during the peak tourist season.
- Traffic safety: Always obey traffic laws, do not drink alcohol while driving.
- Environmental protection: Do not litter indiscriminately, preserve the beauty of nature.
With careful preparation, your trip to Hoi An will definitely be meaningful and memorable. Wish you have a nice trip!
Estimated Costs for Hoi An Trip by Motorbike
The cost of a trip to Hoi An will depend on many factors such as:
- Time: How many days are you going?
- Tourist season: High season usually has higher prices.
- Transportation: Do you ride a personal motorbike or rent a car?
- Accommodation: Do you choose a hotel, homestay or camping?
- Eating: Do you eat at restaurants, popular eateries, or cook yourself?
- Activities: Do you plan to participate in fun activities, or just attend the festivals?
Below is a reference cost estimate for a 3-day, 2-night trip to Hoi An (by motorbike, homestay, affordable meals):
- Gasoline costs: Depends on the distance you travel and current gas prices. Estimated around 300,000 – 500,000 VND.
- Food costs: About 100,000 – 150,000 VND/person/day. Normally, to save costs, you should not eat and drink at restaurants Hoi An famous specialty restaurant . You should save Hoi An Food and Addresses of Restaurants to Enjoy Delicious Local Dishes, delicious restaurants but affordable prices suitable for the budget of a backpacker.
- Accommodation cost: Cheap homestay about 150,000 – 200,000 VND/night/person.
- Sightseeing costs: In Hoi An you can visit for free but there are some places you need to buy an entrance ticket. Tickets to attractions range from 80,000 – 120,000 VND.
- Other expenses: souvenirs, other incidental expenses… about 200,000 – 300,000 VND.
Total: About 1,500,000 – 2,500,000 VND/person. (~100 USD)
This is only a reference cost estimate. Your actual costs may be higher or lower depending on how you spend.
To get a more accurate cost estimate, you should:
- Make a specific plan: Determine the time you want to go, the place you want to go, and the activities you want to participate in.
- Compare prices: Compare room prices, bus tickets, and sightseeing tickets on travel websites.
- Book in advance: If you go during peak season, you should book in advance to ensure accommodation.
- Bring cash: Besides your bank card, you should bring a little cash for convenient payment in places that don’t accept cards.
Recreational Activities When Traveling to Hoi An
Visit historical relics: Hoi An has many attractive historical relics such as Covered Bridge, Tan Ky ancient house, Cantonese Assembly Hall and ancient temples. These are places not to be missed when coming to Hoi An.
Participate in outdoor activities: You can participate in activities such as cycling around the old town, rowing on the Hoai River, or participating in fun activities at Bay Mau coconut forest.
Shopping and night entertainment: Hoi An Night Market is an ideal place to shop for handicrafts, souvenirs and enjoy street food. The vibrant atmosphere and shimmering light of lanterns will make you feel excited.
Explore local cuisine: Hoi An cuisine is famous for many delicious and famous dishes such as cao lau, Quang noodles, wontons, rose cake,… Some Review of Delicious Places to Eat in Hoi An 2024 you can save and enjoy.
Explore traditional craft villages in Hoi An: Thanh Ha Pottery Village, Kim Bong Carpentry Village, Hoi An Silk Village,…
Depending on your schedule, activities can vary and be well-scheduled. In Hoi An, there are many other interesting experiential activities that you can refer to: Hoi An Tourism 2024: “Pocket” 10+ “Top of the Peak” Experiences Now

Figure 3. Some Hoi An culinary dishes
Hoi An Travel Itinerary 3 days 2 nights
Day 1: Explore the old town
- Visit Cau Pagoda, Tan Ky ancient house and Cantonese Assembly Hall
- Walk around the old town, take photos and enjoy street food
Day 2: Go to Cu Lao Cham
- Take a boat to the island, participate in scuba diving and visit historical sites. You should take a boat with the fishermen and bring a motorbike to have a means of transportation to explore the island.
- Enjoy fresh cuisine and relax on the beach
Day 3: Experience Bay Mau coconut forest
- Join an eco-tour, rowing a basket boat through the coconut forest
- Explore the diverse ecosystem and enjoy local specialties
Hoi An Travel Itinerary 5 days 4 nights
Day 1: Explore the old town and visit historical sites and take photos in the old town
Day 2: Go to Cu Lao Cham – Participate in beach activities and visit the island
Day 3: Experience Bay Mau coconut forest: Row a basket boat and explore the coconut forest ecosystem
Day 4: Travel from Hoi An to My Son Sanctuary (about 45km) and visit. My Son Sanctuary is a famous historical heritage of Quang Nam province with an architectural complex of many extremely unique Champa temples. The relic was discovered in 1885 and recognized by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage in 1995.
Day 5: Move from My Son Sanctuary to Tam Thanh beach and visit Tam Thanh mural village
How to make money while in Vietnam?
Teaching English in person or online is a great way to earn a steady income, from anywhere in the world with a good Internet connection.
Depending on your level (or motivation to get qualifications like a TEFL certification), you could teach English remotely from your laptop, save some money for your next adventure, and create Make a positive impact on the world by improving the language skills of others!
Especially in Vietnam, there are many English teaching centers such as teaching TOEIC, IELTS,… that want to recruit or hire native people from abroad to interact with the center’s students. If you have certificates related to English teaching skills, you can apply to these centers to prolong your trip and go to more places in Hoi An.
Traveling to Hoi An is an interesting and meaningful journey. From exploring the old town, visiting historical sites to experiencing outdoor activities, every moment brings you unforgettable memories. Prepare carefully and plan in detail to have a perfect trip.
Cập nhật lần cuối: 26/09/2024 09:26

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