Should you travel to Hoi An independently? Tips for Hoi An travel guide saving money

 Among all the famous destinations in Vietnam, Hoi An is rated as one of the top cities ideal for solo travel. So, is it really worth traveling to Hoi An independently? How can I explore the old town alone while still saving money? Let's explore in the article below!

Hoi An travel guide self is different?

1. 3 reasons that make you want to "kick off" a Hoi An travel guide self right away

1.1 Hoi An - A safe city

When mentioning Hoi An, people often immediately think of an ancient city, shimmering and enchanting with its poetic lantern-lit streets. However, what always impresses and reassures visitors when coming here is the tranquility and a well-maintained security policy.

According to the latest assessment by Smoky Mountains, the crime rate in Hoi An is only 6.25%, a figure that is quite low compared to many other tourist cities. This shows that travelers can fully enjoy their exploration journey without worrying about pickpocketing, assault, or harassment.

Hội An is a small city with a peaceful and simple way of life. The people here always live in harmony, are friendly, and are ready to help tourists when needed. Strolling through the moss-covered ancient streets, visitors will feel a lightness in their souls, temporarily setting aside the worries and troubles of everyday life.

With its outstanding advantages in security, culture, and people, Hoi An deserves to be an ideal destination for those seeking a peaceful place to relax and explore.

>> See more: Hoi An Ancient Town and 1001 things you might not know

1.2 Hoi An - The friendliest city in the world

Recently, the booking app Booking.com announced the ranking of the 10 most friendly destinations in Vietnam as part of the Traveller Review Awards 2024. Prominently featured on this ranking is the picturesque city of Hoi An in Quang Nam - home to the ancient town recognized by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage site in 1999.

When visiting Hoi An, travelers not only immerse themselves in the ancient beauty of the traditional wooden houses and the enchanting streets adorned with lanterns, but they are also impressed by the friendliness and hospitality of the local people. Mr. Michel Proust, a visitor from the Republic of France, shared after touring the ancient town of Hoi An: "Hoi An is so beautiful!" Friendly people. I know that in Hoi An there is a tourism product called "Hội An, the kind-hearted and gentle," which truly reflects the land and the people here. Hội An also has many delicious dishes; I love this place. "I know many French people choose Hoi An to visit and experience the typical cultural features of this World Heritage site."

In particular, Hoi An is also a city that strictly implements measures to curb the harassment of tourists.

With the perfect combination of beautiful scenery and hospitality, Hoi An deserves to be an ideal destination for both domestic and international travelers. Visitors here not only get to explore unique cultural values but also experience the warmth and sincerity of the local people.

>> See more: Recreate the culture and history of ancient Hoi An

Hoi An - The friendliest city in the world

1.3 Hoi An - The cheapest tourist city in the world

According to the Holiday Money Report 2024 by Post Office, a reputable financial company from the UK, Hoi An is honored to rise to the top of the list of 40 popular travel destinations with the most affordable costs in the world. This is the first time in 18 years of ranking announcements that Hoi An has made a strong impression by securing the top position, marking a remarkable leap from sixth place last year.

The ranking is based on the costs for 8 basic expenses of travelers, including: a three-course meal for two with wine, coffee, local beer, Coca-Cola, wine, bottled water, sunscreen, and insect repellent..

With a total cost of only £51.18 (approximately 1.6 million VND) for the above expenses, Hoi An has become an ideal destination for travelers who love to explore culture and beautiful scenery while still saving on costs. Foreign tourists can enjoy coffee for just 40,000 VND, beer for over 35,000 VND, and a three-course meal with wine for two starting at only 1.2 million VND. Moreover, the favorable exchange rate makes British tourists even more fond of choosing Hoi An as their vacation destination.

With its outstanding advantages in cost, scenery, and culture, Hoi An deserves to be an ideal destination for both domestic and international travelers, especially for those who love budget travel.

2. Budget travel tips for self-guided trips to Hoi An

Although Hoi An is famous for being the cheapest tourist city in the world, you should also keep in mind a few tips below to optimize your budget even more.

Choose the right time for a self-guided trip to Hoi An

Hoi An is a city that is beautiful no matter what season you visit; each time has its own unique charm. However, if your goal for traveling independently to Hoi An is to save money, you should choose regular weekdays to visit this ancient city. Because if you visit during peak seasons like the summer holidays or festive days, Hoi An can be quite crowded, and the prices for hotels, food, and entrance fees to attractions will also be higher than usual. Accordingly, the period from May to July and from September to November is considered the low tourist season in Hoi An. At this time, the weather is dry and sunny with little rain, and service prices are also cheaper compared to the peak season. However, you should note that this is the storm season in Central Vietnam, so there may be a risk of flooding. In addition, Wednesday is also the perfect time for you to plan a trip to Hoi An. Wednesday is the day of the week with the fewest tourists, so you can easily find affordable accommodations and services.

>> See more: What's in This Hoi An Travel Guide?

Tips for booking cheap flights and train tickets when traveling independently to Hoi An

To save on travel costs to Hoi An, you can refer to the following tips:

• Book your plane/train tickets early: This is the most important tip for getting tickets at a low price. When you book tickets early, airlines/trains will have more available seats to sell. Therefore, they often launch promotional programs to attract customers to book tickets, helping them fill the empty seats on flights/trains. Therefore, you should book your tickets 2-3 months in advance of your trip to be able to choose the best-priced tickets.
• Finding cheap tickets: You can use price comparison websites for flights and trains such as Skyscanner, Kayak, Google Flights, and so on. to compare the ticket prices of different airlines and railways. Thanks to that, you can easily find the cheapest tickets.
• Participate in promotional programs: Airlines and railways frequently launch ticket promotion programs on their websites, fan pages, or through email. Therefore, you should keep an eye out regularly so you can participate in these promotional programs and buy tickets at a lower price.
• Round-trip flight/train tickets: If you plan to stay in Hoi An for several days, you should book round-trip tickets instead of one-way tickets. Round-trip tickets are usually cheaper than one-way tickets.
• Using payment cards for transactions: Many banks nowadays are offering promotional discounts when purchasing airline or train tickets with payment cards. Therefore, you should use a payment card to pay for the tickets in order to save some costs.

Tips for traveling independently in Hoi An

If you choose to stay in Da Nang and only visit Hoi An for the day, you should rent a motorbike to save money instead of opting for a car. On the small, winding road from Da Nang to Hoi An, you can feel the fresh, airy atmosphere and the serene countryside scenery. Renting a motorbike right at the hotel costs between 100,000 VND to 180,000 VND per day, depending on the type of bike, allowing travelers to freely explore every corner of the ancient town of Hoi An. Freely wandering through the ancient streets, shaded by moss-covered tiled roofs, visitors will feel a sense of peace and tranquility permeating every breath.

If you are staying in Hoi An, choosing a bicycle as your mode of transportation during your exploration here is the optimal choice. Hoi An is famous for its narrow, winding streets that weave between ancient houses. Choosing to travel by bicycle, visitors will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the simple rhythms of local life, leisurely strolling along the small streets, discovering every corner and each ancient house. Many hotels in Hoi An currently offer free bicycles for guests staying there. Alternatively, tourists can also rent bicycles at a very favorable price of only about 40,000 VND per day. Some hotels and resorts in Hoi An even offer free bicycle rentals. At Hoi An Memories Resort & Spa, guests can borrow bicycles to freely roam and explore the ancient town.

With motorcycles and bicycles, travelers not only save on transportation costs but also have the opportunity to fully experience the beauty of Hoi An, immerse themselves in the rhythm of local life, and create unforgettable memories on their journey to explore this heritage land.

>> See more: How to travel to Hoi An by motorbike

Hoi An Memories Resort & Spa - a place for guests to stay with free bicycle rentals

Ideal destinations for self-guided travel in Hoi An

Hoi An has many attractive tourist destinations. However, to save money, you can choose to visit places that are free or have low admission fees. Here are a few destinations you might consider:

• Cau Pagoda
• Hoai River Square
• Tra Que Vegetable Village (20.000 VND/person)
• Thanh Ha Pottery Village (20.000 VND/person)
• Hoi An History and Culture Museum (40.000 VND/person)
• Tan Ky Ancient House (30.000 VND/person)
• Cantonese Club (20.000 VND/person)
• The Impression Hoi An Park - a place where exciting entertainment activities take place with 20 mini shows performed daily, 1001 impressive check-in spots, and unique cuisine from the Nón Lá restaurant or the Vietnamese village. (50,000 VND/person)

>> See more: 40+ places to visit in Hoi An that captivates travelers

At Memory Island, Hoi An, there is also a live performance program called Hoi An Memories. Although the ticket prices for the show are slightly higher than those of the aforementioned attractions, the experiences that Memories of Hoi An offers will not disappoint you. 5 spectacular performances of the show will broaden your horizons and expand your knowledge of the history and culture of the Vietnamese people. "Memory of Hoi An" is an outdoor show held on a stage that spans 25,000 square meters. with nearly 500 carefully selected actors from North to South. The Memories of Hoi An paints a vivid picture of the life of the people in Quang through five impressive performances. Through Hoi An Memories, the history of over 400 years from its early formation to the present of the ancient town will gradually be vividly revealed. Below are the main contents of the 5 acts of the show:

• The Life Screen: Recreating the pioneering era of Hội An with images of hardworking citizens, street vendors in the ancient town, building houses, cultivating crops, and fishing, among others.
• Wedding Scene: The procession to receive Princess Huyền Trân and King Chế Mân of Champa is vividly and grandly recreated.
• Lanterns & the Sea: The enchanting and mystical scenery of Hoi An at night tells the touching love story of a couple in a long-distance relationship - one adrift at sea, the other left behind, waiting with longing.
• Integration Scene: The bustling Faifo port is alive with boats from all over the world, showcasing vibrant trade and commerce.
• The Áo Dài: The image of the Vietnamese Áo Dài, flowing and graceful, showcases the traditional beauty of Hoi An. Although it has gone through many upheavals, Hoi An remains peaceful and serene like that.

To purchase tickets for the Memories of Hoi An show at the best price, visitors can apply for a voucher worth 50,000 VND. Contact Hoi An Memories Land immediately for more detailed information.

>> See more: 5 experiences when buying tickets to watch the Hoi An performance

The performance "Memories of Hoi An" has been described by Reuters as "the most spectacular in the world."

Tips for booking a hotel room

Accommodation costs also account for a significant portion of the travel budget. Therefore, to ensure that your self-guided trip to Hoi An is as cost-effective as possible, you should apply a few tips below when booking hotels/resorts:

• Book early: Many hotels and homestays in Hoi An often have promotional programs for guests who book in advance. Therefore, you should plan your trip and book early to take advantage of the best deals.
• Search for promotional programs: Online booking websites like Booking.com, Agoda, and Traveloka frequently update the promotional programs of hotels in Hoi An. You should regularly visit these websites to look for suitable deals.
• Price comparison: Before booking a room, you should compare the prices of different hotels in the same area to choose the hotel that best fits your budget.
• Choosing the right type of room: If you are traveling alone, you can opt for a single room or a dormitory to save costs. If you travel with family or friends, you can choose a double room or a suite.
• Use reputable online booking websites: Using reputable online booking websites will help ensure the safety of your transactions and allow you to easily compare prices of different hotels.
• Refer to customer reviews: Reading customer reviews about hotels before making a reservation will provide you with additional information about the quality of service and amenities of the hotel.
• Contact the hotel directly: Reaching out to the hotel directly will help you negotiate prices and receive better deals compared to booking through online reservation websites.

See more: Top 30 beautiful hotels in Hoi An

Tips for budget-friendly dining when traveling to Hoi An independently

Hội An is not only famous for its historical and cultural attractions but also attracts visitors with its rich and diverse cuisine. However, the cost of dining in Hoi An, especially at famous restaurants, can make tourists hesitant. Here are some tips to help you save on food while traveling in Hoi An:

• Exploring budget eateries: Hoi An has many budget restaurants scattered throughout the streets, serving delicious dishes at affordable prices. You can find these restaurants by asking locals or checking food review websites like TripAdvisor or Foody.
• Enjoying street food: Hoi An is famous for its street food such as banh mi, cao lau, Ba Le chicken rice, banh xeo, banh beo, and grilled meat rice paper rolls... These are delicious, affordable dishes that are loved by many tourists. You can easily find stalls selling these street food items on the streets of the old quarter.
• Cooking for yourself: If you want to save on food expenses as much as possible, you can cook for yourself. Hội An has many markets and supermarkets selling fresh food at affordable prices. You can buy ingredients and cook for yourself at the hotel or homestay.
• Free drinking water: Many hotels and homestays in Hoi An offer free drinking water for guests. You should bring a personal water bottle to refill for free instead of buying bottled water.
• Avoid dining at tourist restaurants: Tourist restaurants often have higher prices compared to local eateries. Therefore, you should avoid dining at these restaurants if you want to save money.
• Shopping for food at local markets: If you plan to cook for yourself, you should shop for food at local markets instead of buying at supermarkets. The markets often sell food at lower prices, and you can bargain for the price.
• Join food tours: Many travel companies in Hoi An organize food tours at reasonable prices. By participating in these food tours, you will have the opportunity to enjoy many delicious dishes of Hoi An and learn about the local culinary culture.

Enjoying street food in Hoi An

The article has provided you with tips for budget-friendly Hoi An travel guide self. The information above is for reference only; you should still base it on your own situation to find the most appropriate application. Wishing you a memorable and budget-friendly trip to Hoi An. If you need advice on booking a room at Hoi An Memories Resort & Spa, you can contact us via hotline 1900 63 66 00 - 0904 636 600.