Is there much to do in Hoi An?

Is it worth going to Hoi An?

Hoi An? Totally worth it. Seriously. The food alone. OMG. Best banh mi EVER. I ate three in one day. No regrets.

Beautiful lanterns everywhere at night. So romantic. I wish I’d stayed longer.

Tailors! Got a suit made. Perfect fit. Way cheaper than I expected. Like, ridiculously cheap.

Ancient town is amazing. So much history. I felt transported back in time. Kinda spooky, but in a good way.

The river. Peaceful boat ride. Should have gone at sunset. Note to self: sunset river trip next time.

• Amazing food (banh mi are a MUST)
• Beautiful lanterns at night. Seriously magical.
• Affordable tailor shops – get stuff made!
• Rich history in the Ancient Town.
• Relaxing river cruises.

It’s crowded, though. Really crowded. Especially during peak season. July? Maybe not. Definitely consider that.

Thinking about going back. Maybe next year. Need to save up, though.

My trip was in 2024. Fantastic. Go. Now.

Should I spend more time in Ho Chi Minh or Hoi An?

Ho Chi Minh City? Hoi An? Dude, it’s a no-brainer. Hoi An’s the place to be. Think less concrete jungle, more charming grandma’s house – but with better tailoring.

Hoi An wins hands down. Ho Chi Minh City is like a caffeinated squirrel on a sugar rush, a chaotic mess of motorbikes. Hoi An? Relaxed, like a cat sunbathing after a big nap.

Seriously, consider this:

• Tailors: Hoi An has ’em. Seriously skilled ones. My cousin got a whole new wardrobe for like, peanuts. Ho Chi Minh? Yeah, you’ll find clothes, but likely not the same quality.
• Vibes: Think tranquil river vs. a freeway. Enough said. Hoi An is picturesque, the perfect Instagram backdrop. Ho Chi Minh City? More like Instagram’s worst nightmare!
• Food: Both are good but Hoi An’s food is less…spicy-explosive. My sensitive stomach thanks me for that.

Look, I spent a week in each place this year, 2024. Ho Chi Minh was a blur of horns and delicious street food that gave me heartburn. Hoi An? Pure serenity; I actually managed to nap in a hammock. Need I say more? Choose Hoi An.

Is 5 days in Hoi An too much?

Five days in Hoi An? Nah, you won’t spontaneously combust from boredom.

It’s like asking if eating all the pho is “too much.” Depends on your appetite, I reckon.

• Three days is the bare minimum – like, enough time to see the Ancient Town and maybe escape for a quick field trip.

• Five days? Now we’re talkin’! Plenty of time to become a temporary local.

  • Hit up tailors – get a suit made. Two suits! Why not? My weird cousin Brenda got, like, five dresses tailored in a day. Don’t be Brenda, unless you secretly are Brenda.

  • Take cooking classes. Learn to make cao lầu so good, it’ll make your grandma jealous. Even if you don’t have a grandma. (Awkward.)

  • Beach bumming. An Bang beach is right there. It’s not Hawaii, but hey, it’s sand and water. I think.

  • Day trip to My Son Sanctuary. Ruins, ancient ruins! It’s like Angkor Wat’s little cousin. (Okay, maybe distant cousin.)

So yeah, five days. Not too much. Unless you hate sunshine, delicious food, and getting ridiculously cheap clothes made. In that case, maybe reconsider.