hoi an – Rubicon Tours

Vietnam in June: Weather and Travel Tips

Nguyen Thanh Van — Thu, 21 May 2020 10:18:04 +0000

Vietnam in June: Weather and Travel Tips
Rubicon Tours.

Vietnam is well into its summer monsoon season by now and most everywhere except the coastal lowlands of Central Vietnam – which remains dry and sunny- you’ll need to account for high rainfall. With rain now and spreading across the northern mountains and Central Highland, this is time to focus on a beach vacation while visitor numbers are the lowest of the year. Meanwhile, the South is now of the midst of wet season with daily downpour to expect, usually in afternoon.

Every June is relative uncrowded time, with the lowest number of international visitors of any month. But by mid-June Vietnamese domestic travel takes flight as school break and families take their vacations, marking the summer high season. If you’re planning to beach vacation, it’s best to do earlier than later, as beach resort Nha Trang, Phu Quoc or Ha Long Bay by late of June.

Where to go?

Ha Long Bay

One of the 7 Wonder of the World, also the first one in the list best to visit Vietnam in June. This famous destination attract millions of domestic and international tourist to come and visit every year.

TRAVEL HA LONG BAY AND LAN HA BAY BY MIMOSA CRUISE:

Mimosa Cruise 01 Day

Sapa

Spending your Vietnam tour in Sapa, you will not only have chance to enjoy the fresh air of region of the northwest but also visit the old French villas, 100 meter high Silver Waterfall, learn the life of H’Mong people in Cat Cat Village. Through June is summer time in Vietnam, but in Sapa it’s still cool and visitors never regret choosing Sapa for their destination.

GET YOUR EXPERIENCE IN SAPA IN 2 DAYS 1 NIGHT:

Sapa: Cat Cat – Fansipan Mountain 2 Days 1 Night

Danang

A place that being considered to be the cleanest and the most livable city in Vietnam, Danang welcome and offers tourists various options of touring around the region.

Hoi An

Just 30 kilometers away from Danang, Hoi An is a little pretty town located in a peaceful land.

TRAVEL TO DANANG CITY, HUE IMPERIAL AND HOI AN TOWN IN 4 DAYS 3 NIGHTS:

4D3N Da Nang + Hue ( Day Trip) + Hoi An Ancient Town

Dalat

The city on the plateau is one among the best place to visit Vietnam in June because of its weather and landscape. Being popular about the name of “thousand flowers city”, Dalat is a place where you can find a variety of types flowers, both you know and you do not know.

VISIT AND OVERNIGHT IN DALAT FLOWER CITY:

4D3N ~ Da Lat Flower City (New Program)

Vietnam in June: Weather and Travel Tips
Nguyen Thanh Van

My Son Sanctuary – The relics of Champa Kingdom

Nguyen Thanh Van — Wed, 20 May 2020 08:33:00 +0000

My Son Sanctuary – The relics of Champa Kingdom
Rubicon Tours.

My Son Hindu Sanctuary, recognized by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage Site in 1999, is a great sample of the ancient Champa civilization located in the southern part of Vietnam. It was an independent state from around the 2nd to the 17th century, at which time it was occupied by Vietnam.

The impressive Hindu-themed ruins feature many beautiful stone sculptures, temples and towers in tropical jungle surroundings.

My Son Hindu Sanctuary is located within a small valley in the Duy Phu Commune, Quang Nam Province, around 40km from Hoi An ancient town and 70km from Danang.

Centuries ago, My Son used to be a spiritual center for worshipers under the reign of the Kingdom of Champa. Now, even though half of the temples have collapsed under the crush of time, the complex still remains quite structured with 25 vestiges, covering an area of 142 ha. This religious monument is divided into five different sections. All of the buildings reflect great cultural influences from India, with walls of stone pillars and fired bricks. Archeologists suggest that kalan – the central tower – posed as an emblem of the high mountain; bhurloka – the decorated stone base – is a symbol of the mankind on Earth; and bhuvakola – the main tower – rises above all.

Like many historic sites around the world, My Son was destroyed by time and wars and after lying neglected for a long time it was rediscovered and renovated by the French in 1898. Sadly the most recent war did great damage to the complex as the Americans bombed this area knowing that the Viet Cong used it as a hiding place, mistakenly thinking that the enemy would not touch a holy site.

EXPLORE MY SON SANCTUARY FROM HOI AN:

My Son Sanctuary Sunrise Tour From Hoi An|Vietnam

My Son Sanctuary – The relics of Champa Kingdom
Nguyen Thanh Van

Tra Que Vegetable Village: How to become a farmer?

Nguyen Thanh Van — Mon, 18 May 2020 09:47:34 +0000

Tra Que Vegetable Village: How to become a farmer?
Rubicon Tours.

Looking to escape the bustling city? The Tra Que vegetable village is a quiet, tranquil and lush green farming area. Lined with neat rows of planted herbs and vegetables. A far cry from the busy streets and incessant horn-honking just around the corner.

CHARMING HOI AN

Introduction to Tra Que Vegetable Village

Tra Que Vegetable Village is 3km far from Hoi An old town on the direction of northeast. This land was created more than 300 years ago when the locals were predominantly fishermen. However, after discovering the advantages of the Tra Que lagoon’s seaweed manure and the village’s rich fertile soil, locals began growing vegetables and herbs and have been doing so ever since.

The village supplies fresh and organic vegetables to restaurants, hotels, and local people in Hoi An, other districts in Quang Nam, and Da Nang city. Tra Que vegetables make up the unique flavors of the specialties in Hoi An such as tom huu, banh xeo, cao lau, mi quang, and more. Tra Que grows many kinds of vegetables used to make medicine and improve health as well.

When visiting Tra Que Village, you can feel the identity of a traditional village and witness the panoramic view of the green vegetable gardens. Meanwhile, the active lives of the local farmers are ongoing, as they care for and harvest their vegetables.

A grand total of 41 herbs and vegetables are currently grown by the farmers in the village. Ranging from winter melon and water spinach to amaranth and turmeric. There are only 20 days from the day the seeds are planted and harvested. They are all well-known and loved for them for their distinct Tra Que flavour.

Explore Tra Que Vegetable Village by your own

Riding bicycle around the village

For a leisurely stroll or bicycle ride through the Tra Que organic garden, perhaps stopping off at a Tra Que restaurant, no tour guide is needed and there is no entrance fee.

I recommend watching sunrise or sunset there. With the absence of buildings, Tra Que Village is an open and beautiful scenic spot. The sun looks like a huge egg, surrounded by the deep red and striped clouds, and reflected in the smooth surface of the river. Let’s enjoy the beauty of nature, and take stunning photos of this moment.

Although it’s, of course, possible to enjoy the beauty and culture of Tra Que without a guide, tours are beneficial here as they offer in-depth information and hands-on experiences with the locals.

HAFT DAY TO TRA QUE VEGETABLE VILLAGE

Tra Que Vegetable Village: How to become a farmer?
Nguyen Thanh Van

Bucket List Hoi An Restaurants You Need To Try

Nguyen Thanh Van — Fri, 15 May 2020 04:18:03 +0000

Bucket List Hoi An Restaurants You Need To Try
Rubicon Tours.

Hoi An was built as an ancient architecture complex and a busy business port in the 16th century of Viet Nam. Time passes, Hoi An still remains its indigenous beauty and charm which hundreds of people falling in love with.

THE 5 HOI AN CUISINES YOU CANNOT AFFORD TO MISS

Apart from admiring the prettiness of Hoi An, find yourself a local place to taste real specialized food as Hoi An is also widely known for its distinctive cuisine.

CHARMING HOI AN

This below list of local restaurants is what you need for a satisfying meal.

1. Banh Mi Phuong

When it comes to Banh Mi, you can’t go wrong with Banh Mi Phuong. Rated as one of the best street foods in the world by many well-known magazines, Phuong shop stretches her Vietnamese baguette brand in a superb value of money.

From the French baguette version, Banh Mi has been changed to be suitable for the Vietnamese taste. Breads are made longer and thinner with the filling is full of local ingredients as fresh herb, pork pate, pork, chili and toasted sesame.

In addition, Banh mi Phuong is better known for its secret recipe of the sauce. It’s still concealed as the cook doesn’t spread it to anyone.

Every day, Banh Mi is quickly sold out so you need to plan ahead and get this baguette as a pleasant treat for breakfast, lunch or even dinner. A banh mi costs about 1 usd (20,000 vnd) so it’s a friendly budget food to most people.

Banh Mi Phuong is proudly called as the best Banh Mi in the world. It’s a mistake if you visit Hoi An without trying this famous sandwich.

SEE & DO IN HOI AN BEACHES

2. Central market food hall

A local market is always listed as a must-go place for every Southeast Asian trip. The central market in Hoi An is where you can observe the local lives and hectic purchasing style of Hoi An.

DISCOVER THE UNIQUE MARKETS IN HOI AN

When you are in the central market, don’t forget to appreciate the good food of the central food hall as there are a plenty of local foods served in these food courts at unbelievable prices.

Hoi An Market sits on the riverside and is packed of excellent food at rock-bottom prices. This is the place to pick up spices, souvenirs and local foods.

3. Chi Ma phu – black sesame sweet soup

The image of an old man with hawker selling Chi Ma Phu – black sesame sweet soup has become a unique icon in Hoi An. No matter how bad the weather is, he continuously does his business. For years, the black sesames sweet made by this old man has been a favorite snack for the people living Hoi An.

The origin of Chi Ma Phu is from China. When the Chinese traders came to Hoi An in the past, they brought a recipe of the Fujian black soup. The ingredients are black sesame, coconut, rice flour, sugar, sinh a (Radix Rehmanniae) and thc a (Rehmannia glutinosa). For these components, black sesame sweet soup is also regarded as a healthy dish for people of all ages.

Black sesame was imported to Hoi An from Fujian Province in China when Chinese traders came to this city long time ago.

4. Ba Le well restaurant

Hoi An is a heaven for food lovers as there is no shortage of local food in this small town. To get insight into the Hoi An food, the pancake shouldn’t be missed out.

Ba Le well restaurant is a trustworthy store offering the best dish of Vietnamese pancakes, fried spring rolls and satay meat skewers. Coming to Ba Le shop, you can find excellent meal consisting of local pancake made from rice flour, shrimp and wrapped in rice paper. The pancake is eaten along with fresh herbs and dipping sauce.

Take a trip to Ba Le well restaurant at 45/51 Tran Hung Dao street, Hoi An to satisfy your stomach.

Bale Well is considered one of Hoi An’s hidden gems where you can create your own rice paper wraps in a friendly laid-back, street-style eatery

5. Ba gia restaurant

Passing a cross of the central city to Cam Nam village, you are getting closer to another suburb area of Hoi An. This village offers a unique food with Banh Dap (smashing rice paper), Hen xuc banh trang (minced clams with rice crackers), Che bap (corn sweet soup).

To smash rice paper, you need to break the rice paper into 2 pieces and leave the wet rice paper inside the crispy one. Then, smash that combination and eat with the sweet fermented fish sauce and chili called Mam nem.

Hen xuc Banh trang (minced clams with rice crackers) is another food to assure how well the food in Hoi An is.

Clams were caught from rivers, then they were boiled and fried with onions, chili and herbs. Toppings are peanuts which enhance the flavor of minced clams.

All foods in Ba Gia restaurant seem to be simple and easy to make but it brings to eaters a taste of local and complicated favor.

Banh Dap Ba Gia is the first restaurant in Cam Nam (Hoi An) and has been in business Nearly 30-40 years

6. A Roi Restaurant

What does “Nhậu” means in Vietnamese?

It’s the way people call for a family or friend gathering in Viet Nam. Like the Western people, the Vietnamese has their own in celebrating or having fun.

A Roi restaurant is a most-liked stop for local people in Hoi An whenever they want to have a fun night of “Nhậu”. This restaurant with a wide space and hand-to-mouth menu attracts a number of people every day. Some of what the local usually write off for a meal are steamed clams, frog with chili and cilantro, banana flower with pork and grilled fish.

The food options are large so you needn’t worry about what to order.

7. Thanh restaurant

Next up is Cao Lau – a dish that is amazingly super smooth and rich in flavor. Every time you take a bowl of Cao Lau, you can feel a taste of sensation in your mouth.

What people like about this dish is seasoned pork eaten along with crispy crunchy croutons. The additional croutons made from dried cao lau noodles make this dish more appetizing. Cao lau noodles are said to be made using only water from one ancient well in Hoi An called Ba Le well. This is why the broth in Cao Lau brings to Cao Lau a completely different taste compared with other noodles.

Photo by Charles Haynes

A bowl of Cao Lau in Thanh restaurant will revolutionize your current standard of noodles. It seriously blows your mind.

Ms. Thanh makes one dish: cao lau. And she does it very well. Ask locals where to eat good cao lau and they’re likely to point you to Ms Thanh Cao Lau

8. Ms. Ty chicken rice restaurant

Hoi An is such a small fairyland for all foodies with a great exhibition of toothsome foods. And chicken rice is absolutely on top of the list.

Chicken rice is a basic selection of rice and chicken meat. It sounds simple to make, right? However, it’s truly a difficult task to cook an unbelievable dish of chicken rice as Ms. Ty did.

The tiny, casual shop of Ms. Ty is a real star of experiencing the hand-to-mouth chicken rice in Hoi An.

Ms Ty chicken rice is one of local favorite restaurants. Chicken Rice is so simple with a basic recipe including only rice, chicken, sauce and pickled carrots.

9. Ms. Tuat Khọt Cake

Along with this list of local restaurant, Ms. Tuat Khot cake is easily the best loved carts of people living in Hoi An.

Khot cake is a mini-sized rice cake which is fired with bird eggs and served with vegetables and sweet fish sauce. The crispy cake coming with additional item of fried bird egg creates a remarkable taste of Khot cake.

More and more tourists make their way to Ms. Tuat carts to try this tempting food as well as interact with the local people.

Mrs. Tuat Banh Can is a small local eatery that serve the famous Vietnamese dish, Banh Can (Banh Khot) in Hoi An

10. Mr. Hat Quang noodle restaurant

Originated from Quang Nam province, Quang noodle is a must-try food to every travelers. There are several versions of Quang Noodle around Viet Nam; however, Hoi An is where you get the most authentic dish. This food is a basic combination of rice flour noodles and pork based broth. Sometimes, people use crab and shrimp to make the broth much more flavorsome. Quang noodle appears at its best with fresh vegetables and rice crackers on top.
Coming to Mr. Hat shop, you will get a bowl of Quang noodle which is brightly in color and fresh in flavor.

Another location for Quang noodle is Mr. Hai restaurant at 6A Truong Minh Luong street, Hoi An. This restaurant also offers the same quality food as Mr. Hat does.

Source: justgola.com

Bucket List Hoi An Restaurants You Need To Try
Nguyen Thanh Van

Japanese Covered Bridge – The Legacy Of Ancient Japan in Hoi An

Nguyen Thanh Van — Fri, 08 May 2020 10:19:02 +0000

Japanese Covered Bridge – The Legacy Of Ancient Japan in Hoi An
Rubicon Tours.

With a history of more than 400 years, nowadays, the Japanese Covered Bridge, aka Cau Pagoda, might be considered as one of Vietnam’s most iconic attractions, Hoi An’s Japanese covered bridge dates back to the 18th century and is a beautiful historical piece of Japanese architecture. It is claimed that it was created by the Japanese then living in Hoi An as a way to reach the Chinese quarter across the water. Coming to Hoi An old town, it will be a waste if you don’t stop by the Japanese Covered Bridge at least once.

The Japanese Covered Bridge underwent renovation work in 1986 which saw the restoration of the arch that was once flattened to make way for cars. Today, the bridge stands as a symbol of Hoi An and remains as aesthetically pleasing as it was when it first opened.

Being built by the Japanese, so of course, the bridge was also named “the Japanese bridge”. Some ancient people believed that the bridge served its position as the magical sword to control the Japanese monster Namazu. This was a hideous and dangerous monster, which was so big that its head stayed in India, its body lied in Vietnam and its tail was in Japan. The “sword” – as in the Bridge, had succeed in stopping it from squirming and causing frightfully earthquakes.

Ever since it was built until now, the Japanese Covered Bridge had gone through a total of 7 times being repaired, in 1763, 1815, 1875, 1917, 1962, 1986 and 1996. Sometimes, small adjustments were made on the monument’s roof, floor and pillars as well. Recently, the People’s Committee of Quang Nam province is allowing Hoi An to start renovating the Bridge again.
The Japanese Covered Bridge impresses its visitors also by the stunning curved roof, which covers every inch of the bridge. The roof was also decorated with yin and yang patterns, this is one of the trademarks of Vietnamese culture and architecture.

On each side of the Bridge, there are small corridors and benches for visitors to sit down and rest if needed. The temple and the Bridge were separated by a thin wooden wall.

Everything of the Japanese Covered Bridge – from the material, the design to the patterns and decorations are significant features of Vietnamese, Japanese and Asian culture. Therefore, many consider the Bridge as a harmonizes of Eastern architecture.

The Japanese Covered Bridge is very well preserved and features a roof meaning you can visit at any time of day regardless of the heat or the rain.

Location: The bridge is located at the west end of Tran Phu Street in Hoi An and is easily reached from the town centre.
Remarks: There are no restrictions with regards to dress code and the bridge is always open

Japanese Covered Bridge – The Legacy Of Ancient Japan in Hoi An
Nguyen Thanh Van

The Mysterious Door Eyes of Hoi An Ancient Town

Nguyen Thanh Van — Wed, 06 May 2020 03:14:55 +0000

The Mysterious Door Eyes of Hoi An Ancient Town
Rubicon Tours.

Visiting Hoi An Ancient Town, travelers will easily see many houses with wooden eyes pinned on the door. These “door eyes” are a trait of housing architecture in Hoi An, bringing about special, unique and distinctive value of culture to this land. It was an eye share by wooden finely diversified symmetrical front doors.

(@angelin)

So far, there have been no satisfactory answer for the real meaning and its behind story as well as the decoration concept of “eyes” in front of the houses in Hoi An. But for the local, door eyes in Hoi An spiritual symbol. The eyes are there to welcome friendly people, but also to send the evil spirit away to keep peace for the house and the family.

EXPLORE THE CHARMING OF HOI AN TOWN

Not only pinned on the doors of houses, the symbol of eyes is also drawn in front of fishing boats in the Central region. The fishermen here notion that boats as well as fishes, fishes have eyes to swim, the boat must have eyes to guide to where to fish, avoid danger, eyes painted on the boat making the shark scared because it thought black eyes are great enemies. Eye boat brings bumper catches and help sailors avoid disease.

SEE AND DO IN HOI AN’S BEACHES

Whichever their deep meaning is, eyes on doors have become an indispensible part of spiritual life of people living in Hoi An. This is also the way people in Hoi An living in harmony with nature to create depth of a cultural heritage of human being.

Source: Vietnamdiscorvery

The Mysterious Door Eyes of Hoi An Ancient Town
Nguyen Thanh Van

Charming Hoi An

Nguyen Thanh Van — Fri, 24 Apr 2020 04:55:43 +0000

Charming Hoi An
Rubicon Tours.

Hoi An is an ancient town located on the Thu Bon river in Quang Nam province, only 30 km south of Da Nang. Called Faifo by westerners in the past, Hoi An used to be a busy international trading harbor which accommodated commercial ships from Japan, China, Holland, Spain and India. The town was also an important stop on the silk road at sea.

Peaceful Hoi An by the side of Hoai river. Photo: Tat Son

Hoi An has the typical Vietnamese traditional architecture. Photo: Tat Son

Tan Ky house in Hoi An is recognized as a national relic. Photo: Thanh Hoa

Mossy old alleys are an attraction in Hoi An. Photo: Phong Thu

An old antique shop in Hoi An. Photo: Tat Son

Most old houses in Hoi An are designed with an air well (or inner yard) in the middle. Photo: Phong Thu

Phuc Kien club-house is a popular spot in Hoi An. Photo: Thanh Hoa

Nearly 5 million visitors came to Hoi An in 2018. Photo: Thanh Hoa

Hoi An offers tourists the most beautiful cycling routes. Photo: Tat Son

Within 30km of Hoi An, visitors can explore popular tourist destinations with Rubicon Tours Vietnam such as Tra Que herb village, Cam Thanh coconut forest, Cham islands, My Son sanctuary, Danang City and Ba Na Hill resort.

Source: BaoanhVietnam

Charming Hoi An
Nguyen Thanh Van

Top 10 must-see fishing villages in Vietnam

Nguyen Thanh Van — Thu, 23 Apr 2020 03:32:11 +0000

Top 10 must-see fishing villages in Vietnam
Rubicon Tours.

1. Cua Van Fishing Village, Quang Ninh Province

Located in the heart of Ha Long Bay – a world heritage site twice recognized by UNESCO, Cua Van Fishing Village is always a hotspot of numerous domestic and international travelers. A visit to this destination is supposed to be a great chance to soak up the calm ambiance and cool atmosphere of nature, formed by rocks, mountains, water, and sky. The most outstanding point of the village is the charm of “the so-called houses onboard. Besides, the idyllic lifestyle of the local fishermen will give you another outlook on the beauty amongst the water region.

2. Cai Beo Fishing Village, Hai Phong City

Referred to as an ancient village, Cai Beo is ranked among the top national relics in 2009. There is a wonderful opportunity for experiencing the harmonious combination of stunning landscapes and cultural relic, you will never find anywhere else. Endowed with picturesque charms more remarkable and enthralling each time the sun is right at the horizon. It is possible to state that the irrepressible life of the local fishermen put in such natural beauty never fails to draw anyone adoring the water area like Cai Beo Fishing Village.

3. Thanh Nam Fishing Village, Hoi An City

Thanh Nam is known as a small fishing village emerging from Cua Dai Ocean, picked out by lots of travelers when they have a trip to Hoi An City. The village also appeals to plenty of the photographer community and especially independent travelers. Lying along the road to the bay where there are stretches of imposing white sand and clean translucent water, the destination is truly an ideal spot for kicking back and enjoying the warm sunshine.

4. Lang Co Fishing Village, Hue City

Lang Co Fishing Village is depicted as ravishing painting in which you can find a great mix of sky, sand, sea, and mountains. The village is sandwiched between Bach Ma Mountains and looks like a smooth silk strip wrapping around Phu Gia Pass to the north and Hai Van Pass to the south. This picture is more attractive since it is covered with green trees, tiny houses, and clouds like being found in an ethereal wonderland.

5. Cua Tung Fishing Village, Quang Tri Province

When it comes to Cua Tung, where Ben Hai River empties into the sea, many people immediately think it as one of the wonderful places for leisure in Quang Tri Province. Although the coastline is not too long and wide, its magnificence is truly irresistible. You will soak up the cool breeze and peace of the sea ambience at all times. Of course, fresh seafood will become a highlight of the trip to Cua Tung Village.

6. Bich Dam Fishing Village, Nha Trang City

Among the large islands of Nha Trang City is Bich Dam, belonging to Hon Tre Island; here is definitely a tranquil fishing village in the water area where water is turquoise all year round. There is no doubt that the destination possesses the unspoiled scenic beauty because it has not been exploited for tourism. That is the reason why homestays are the only choice of accommodation when you travel here. Otherwise, camping is also a totally new experience you are advisable to try.

7. Mui Ne Fishing Village, Phan Thiet City

Positioned along the coastline of approximately one kilometer, Mui Ne Fishing Village is a region with the calm water all year round. Nevertheless, it will be an interesting point to perceive the high-octane prospect of the local fishermen in each early morning; by that time you will know more about their life. For those who are fond of taking photos, the sunset is actually the best time to come here.

8. Hai Minh Fishing Village, Binh Dinh Province

Hai Minh is situated in Phuong Mai Peninsula, like a huge shield of rocky mountains stretching for 20 kilometers to shelter Quy Nhon City from storms. If taking a chance to visit Quy Nhon City, do not miss out on this village since it will bring you a new experience.

9. Phuoc Hai Fishing Village, Vung Tau City

Just 16 kilometers from the Vung Tau city center, Phuoc Hai – one of the long-standing fishing villages in Ba Ria – Vung Tau Province is referred to as an untouched spot with clean water, soothing sand, and tiny waves. Then, it is better to enjoy this charm while it lasts.

10. Ham Ninh Fishing Village, Phu Quoc Island

The first impression of Ham Ninh Fishing Village is Ham Ninh Mountain at the altitude of 300 meters. Apart from beautiful landscapes, the village is also home to a variety of delicacies from seafood. It’s worth making a trip to this land.

Source: tnktravel

Top 10 must-see fishing villages in Vietnam
Nguyen Thanh Van

See & Do – Hoi An’s Beaches

Nguyen Thanh Van — Thu, 16 Apr 2020 03:50:18 +0000

See & Do – Hoi An’s Beaches
Rubicon Tours.

Hoi An has something for everybody including sandy beaches. So you can enjoy the culture and shops of the Old Town, the calm beauty of the countryside, and relaxing white sand beaches packed with great bars and restaurants.

Vietnam may not be the first place many people think of when looking for white sandy tropical beaches. But it does have a stunning coastline. Hoi An’s beaches are technically one line of coast, split up into some distinct areas. Whether you’re looking for a thrill from parasailing, cocktails and a sun lounger, or to get away from the crowd, there is something for you.

An Bang Beach

An Bang is the most popular beach in Hoi An, and because of this is, it is also the busiest. Located right at the end of the main road out of Hoi An, Hai Ba Trung, it has a huge range of restaurants and bars all vying for your attention. The beach is frequented by both tourists and locals, and it gets particularly busy in the late afternoon, an experience in itself as it can be hard to move amongst the hordes of people cooling off after a day at school or work.

If you want to relax on the beach, then your best bet is to hire a lounger. As soon as you walk onto the beach, you will see them lined up in front of their respective bar or restaurant. Depending on where you go, prices for a lounger range from 10,000 to 50,000 VND (0.50 to 2 USD) or you can buy a drink or food in which case the lounger is usually complimentary. You can, of course, bring your own chair and towel and sit wherever you like, but the bonus of the loungers is that they also have an umbrella to stop you frying in the sun.

Umbrellas and sun loungers on An Bang beach in Hoi An. Photo: Hidden Hoi An
An Bang South

A five-minute walk South of the main entrance to An Bang beach is another, slightly quieter section of beach we call An Bang South. Separated from the main area by what is currently a building site and with a slightly narrower beach, An Bang South is more relaxed simply because fewer people make an effort to walk there. This makes it an easy escape from the crowds in An Bang, and there are still plenty of restaurants and bars and lots of sun loungers to use.

To get to An Bang South simply take a stroll down the beach to the right of the main entrance to An Bang. Once you have passed a section of empty beachfront, you are in An Bang South.

Hidden Beach

Hidden Beach is Hoi An’s worst kept secret. Located in between the crowded tourist hotspot of An Bang and the quieter but still busy Cua Dai. Hidden beach is a calmer, more relaxed place with fewer people. However, it is becoming more and more popular as an escape from the crowded main beaches. So can still get a little busy depending on the time of day. If you want a tranquil environment with as few people as possible, then come in the morning. You might even have the beach to yourself, bar the occasional fisherman in his traditional boat.

The spot was originally popularised by Hidden Beach Restaurant, which now also has a clothing shop and a day spa. They offer free parking and free sun loungers when you buy a drink or some food. They also have a toilet and a changing room which are free to use. There are one other beachside restaurant and bar and a couple of other restaurants further along the road. Meaning the food options are limited, but Hidden Beach Restaurant has a good range of Vietnamese and Western food.

The parking area at Hidden Beach, Hoi An’s worst hidden secret beach. Photo: Agnuush

To get to Hidden Beach, you can walk along the water’s edge. Either south from An Bang or north from Cua Dai, until you spot Hidden Beach Restaurant. The road can be quite hard to spot, and the Hidden Beach sign is incredibly faded, but it is there. If you have to ride over a small concrete lip at the entrance to the road, then you know you are in the right place.

Cua Dai Beach

Cua Dai Beach used to to the most popular beach in Hoi An. But coastal erosion has slowly made the beach narrower and narrower. The solution was to put sandbags along the water’s edge to stop further erosion. They are the same colour as the sand, so the beach now looks like it has a line of humps along it. Because of this a lot of business has shifted away from here and up to An Bang. But that doesn’t mean it’s not worth going to. There is still plenty of space on the sand and more than a few restaurants and bars. If you want to escape the crowds of An Bang but still want the social vibe and choice of restaurants, then Cua Dai is the place.

Palm trees shade the remaining sand at Hoi An Cua Dai beach. Photo: Agnuush

The best patch of sand we found in Cua Dai is near the Victoria Hoi An Beach Resort and Spa. They maintain the area and the fine, golden sand is lined with palm trees, perfect for a hammock set up. Along this part of the beach, there are still plenty of beachside restaurants. Many of which offer local cuisine at very affordable prices. There are even a couple of great French restaurants and bakeries. Cua Dai has a much more local vibe to it and fewer travellers.

Source: hiddenhoian

See & Do – Hoi An’s Beaches
Nguyen Thanh Van

Discover the unique markets in Hoi An

Nguyen Thanh Van — Thu, 16 Apr 2020 03:26:37 +0000

Discover the unique markets in Hoi An
Rubicon Tours.

Thanh Ha Fish Market

This is located on the Thu Bon River, about 3 km from Hoi An Town. This is whole sales market for selling the fish catching at night from the sea, just open in the morning from 5 AM to 7 AM. The fish in this market are very famous as the best fish in the region. It is always busy, bustling and exiting at the market. The market is definitely is one of the must-sees when you travel to Hoi An, Vietnam.

Hoi An Central Market

Resting on the banks of the Thu Bon River, bustling Hoi An Central Market is certainly worth a look for its authentic slice of Vietnamese life. The marketplace is renowned for its tailors who have a section of the market all to themselves. Fine silk tailoring is cheaper here than anywhere else in Hoi An with garment makers running up a dress, shirt, jacket or full suit usually within 24 hours. Souvenir and local handicraft hunters will also find plenty to browse through at the Central Market.

Unique market of Hoi An women

This market only starts at night, and the time is short, only lasts for 4 hours, from 1 am and ends at 5 am on the same day.

Nguyen Hoang Night Market

Hoi An’s official night market is located on An Hoi Islet, across the river from the Ancient Town, on Nguyen Hoang. When you cross the bridge to An Hoi, look right for the big orange sign that reads “Nguyen Hoang Night Market.” The street is illuminated by hundreds of colourful lanterns, buzzing with life and frenetic activity, so you can’t miss it!

Before you know it, you’ll be bargaining down prices like a local, trying some tasty new snacks, and snapping pictures of yourself bathed in the flattering glow of the star of the night market—the colourful lantern shops.

Discover the unique markets in Hoi An
Nguyen Thanh Van