Hoi An backpackers Guide: Exploring Vietnam on a Budget
We love Hoi An, have been there twice, and will return any time when possible. Unlike what you think, the city is backpacker friendly yet very popular among day trippers and conventional travellers. Everyone will agree that it is like a postcard, with hordes of tourists coming, especially from sunset onwards. However, backpacking in Hoi…
We love Hoi An, have been there twice, and will return any time when possible. Unlike what you think, the city is backpacker friendly yet very popular among day trippers and conventional travellers.
Everyone will agree that it is like a postcard, with hordes of tourists coming, especially from sunset onwards. However, backpacking in Hoi An is possible and is one of the most accessible for Digital nomads and budget-friendly travellers.
It’s not a secret that it is one of the cheapest destinations in Southeast Asia yet one of the most amazing.
For backpackers like us, this town offers an irresistible mix of charm, culture, and affordability. Let’s break down everything you need to know to make the most of your time here without burning a hole in your pocket.
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Where to Stay: Budget-Friendly Spots for Backpackers
One of the things you might not know is that accommodations in Hoi An are affordable in the order that a guesthouse costs about $10 per night. For this reason, we went for less low-key accommodation but still budget-friendly.
We stayed at Rosie Villa, with a pool accommodating up to 4 guests, a kitchen and a private pool at walking distance from the old town. You can read our review here.
But if you are a backpacker in Hoi An, travelling to meet other like-minded people, it’s worth checking out some hostels. The town has some of the highest-rated hostels in Vietnam.
They are very clean, cheap, and often hosted in renowned old Chinese shophouses, rich in character and traditions.
These are our hostel accommodations in Hoi An:
How Much Does It Cost to Stay in Hoi An as a Backpacker? (Daily Budget)
We want to remark that Hoi An is a backpacker’s dream when it comes to affordability. You can easily enjoy this charming town without spending much, especially if you stick to the essentials. Let’s break down the costs so you can plan your daily budget.
Daily Backpacker Budget
Here’s what a typical day might look like for a budget-conscious backpacker in Hoi An:
- Accommodation (dorm bed): 200,000 VND ($8 | £6 | €7.60)
- Food (street food meals): 90,000 VND ($3.50 | £1.60 | €1.90)
- Transportation (bike rental): 23,000 VND ($1 | £0.80 | €0.96)
- Activities (Old Town ticket): 120,000 VND ($5 | £4 | €4.80)
Total: 483,000 VND (~$20| £16 | €19 /day).
If you occasionally indulge in extras like motorbike rentals or sit-down meals, your daily budget might reach around 600,000 VND ($25 | £20 | €24/day).
FREE Hoi An Ebook
Download your free guide to Hoi An. This e-book works offline on your mobile, ready to use while exploring the cute town.
Eating on a budget
Like everywhere in Vietnam, it is cheap to eat out and delicious. I do believe that food was the least expensive expense on the expenses report when we ended our Vietnam itinerary. Hoi An is a foodie’s paradise, too.
There is a local market just beside the old town (aka the popular spot), which offers alternative cheap street food. Street food is the way to go if you’re keeping costs low—expect to pay just 15,000–30,000 VND ($0.50–$1) for local dishes like banh mi or cao lau.
We also went for a dirty burger and beers, spending less than $10 for two. Sit-down meals at local restaurants cost 30,000–175,000 VND ($1–$7), depending on what you order.
Have fun in Hoi An
Like everywhere in Southeast Asia, drinking alcohol might be where you will spend most of your money. If you aren’t a heavy drinker better. Anyway, getting a drink or two in Hoi An isn’t the end of the world.
In town, there are many breweries and some great spots to meet other travellers over a pint. The typical draft beer costs between 35K and 50K, but you can get a bottle of local beer for just 20K VND ($1.20 | £1 | €1.10).
We are both coffee lovers and carve nice roasteries everywhere. Hoi An isn’t short on that, and Vietnam has a huge variety of beans. I was eager to try as much coffee as possible, so I did a proper tour, checking just the best coffee shops in Hoi An (I did that in Sapa, too). A coffee cup is very cheap, starting from 20K VND.
Backpackers bar Hoi An
If you are looking to spend a night out in Hoi An, check out a couple of places that were recommended to us, and are very fun! Route 66 Reggae Bar is open till 2am, many people gather here, which is away from the touristy old town.
There are many cheap guesthouses and you can’t get wrong. For a nice refreshing beer check out Phung Craft Beer; just behind the corner.
Cheap local lager, on draught for just 30K VDN ($2 | £1.50). Staying around the old town you must try 7 Bridges Hoi An. This place is well known to be the spot for a great pint. We discovered it because besides La Burger, our favourite spot for a juicy westernized burger.
Activities and Sightseeing
Activities might raise up your budget, but hey it’s part of the trip. The town is free to roam, so there are no costs involved, but if you want to join unique experiences, these are the ones we suggest:
- Guided tour of the Old town: The cheapest tour with a local for just $2 (£1.50 | €1.90) // BOOK HERE!
- Foldable Lantern-making class: It cost $10 (£8 | €9.80) for 2 hours // BOOK YOUR CLASS NOW!
- Hoi An Food Tour: Get around the old town, trying the best local shops and Vietnamese food. Just $26 (£21 | €25) // CHECK AVAILABILITY NOW!
How to get around Hoi An
To be fair, staying in the centre of Hoi An, you need nothing more than your legs. Actually, it’s pretty amazing to get up early and have the whole town only for you, as most of the tours and tourists get here for the afternoon and lanterns at night.
However, we rented a motorbike, which we actually got in Da Nang, where we were staying for some time. Motorbike rentals are slightly pricier than other places at 120,000–150,000 VND ($5–$6) per day if you’re venturing further afield.
Most hotels and hostels also offer bicycle rentals for cheap. On average, they cost about$1 (£0.80 | €0.90) per day, and you can easily reach Hoi An beach in about half an hour for a change of scenery.
ALSO WORTH A LOOK
For further recommendations about Hoi An, see this guide.
Things to do in Hoi An – A curated guide!
For further recommendations about Hoi An, see this guide.
Our tried and tested some of the photospots in Hoi An, but then get out on our own finding some hidden gems. These and more on our ultimate guide.
Shopping Without Splurging
We fell for the Tailor story; we had some clothes made for us on the first visit to Hoi An. Even though you will now say no, you will do that eventually. Hoi An is famous for its tailor shops and markets.
While custom-made suits might not fit your backpacker budget, there are still plenty of affordable shopping options:
- Central Market: Bargain hard for souvenirs like scarves, lanterns, or spices.
- Avoid the walking street: There are mainly shops for tourists, and if you want to bargain, it isn’t the right place. Get over to Hoi An Centre, and walk to Tran Hung Dao or Song Khiem Bakery (which, by the way, does excellent snacks and pastries).
Tips To Save Even More Money
Backpacking Hoi An can be as budget-friendly as you make it. Here are some extra tips:
- Skip Taxis: Use bikes or walk whenever possible, or get the accommodation in the centre of staying only a few days.
- Eat Local: Western food costs double what Vietnamese dishes do. Madam Khanh is the Banh Mi Queen and is highly recommended.
- Travel Off-Peak: Avoid holidays like Tet when prices spike.
- Stay Longer: Some hostels offer discounts for longer stays. Check our guide to the best area to stay in Hoi An.
Things to do for free in Hoi An
Hoi An is packed with free activities. From simply walking through the Unesco World Heritage town to laying on the beach or getting deeper through the rice paddies in the countryside. Here are some of the best free things to do in Hoi An:
Wander through the Old Town: Except for a certain historical building, which requires a small ticket booklet to purchase to access, most of the shophouses and the whole old town are free to roam. You will pass through inspiring narrow alleys lined with colourful houses, lanterns everywhere, and cute boutiques with bougainvillaea walls.
Enjoy Réhahn Gallery: Most of the blog posts on this site are inspired by Réhahn’s photos of Vietnam. Visit the gallery, which is free, and enjoy the little moments.
Hoi An Night Market: Every night, the scene changes, making Hoi An unique. Lanterns and boats light up the scene. A buzzing market attracts tourists with handmade crafts, food, and souvenirs.
Relax at An Bang Beach: Just a short bike ride you can enjoy the calm and relaxing seaside of Hoi An. This is a place where long-term travellers decide to stay. A beach lounge costs less than $1.
Cycle through the Rice fields: Many accommodations and hostels offer free bike rentals. Take advantage of this and explore the Hoi An countryside. Get closer to the Vegetable Village (Tra Que) and enjoy the unspoiled landscape.
Join the Lantern Festival: On the 14th day of the lunar month (Full Moon), Hoi An is even prettier. The usual festival makes all the electric lights switch off to open the place for the traditional Chinese lanterns.
Discover Instagrammable Spots: Hoi An is so pretty that we couldn’t resist waking up as early as we could, and snap photos everywhere. For more inspo on how to get your best shots, read our guide to the best instagrammable spots in Hoi An.
Explore Pagodas and Temples: Pagodas and Temples in Hoi are free and beautiful. Write down the unique Chuc Thanh Pagoda, one of the Oldest Buddhist temples in Vietnam.
Cross the Japanese Bridge: While visiting this bridge costs money and is included in the Hoi An Old Town ticket, walking through is free.
Is Hoi An backpacker friendly?
Hoi An isn’t just another stop on your Vietnam itinerary—it’s an experience that stays with you long after you leave. I guess that backpackers made this place famous, and Digital Nomads are making it appealing.
Hoi An is perfect for backpackers. From its lantern-lit streets to its budget-friendly eats, this town has something magical about it that keeps us coming back.
