Less than an hour south of Da Nang is the small town of Hoi An. This town is popular for the old town area where you can find hundreds of lanterns hanging above the streets and in many shops. Tailoring custom clothing is another traditional thing to do, but with over 400 tailor shops it can be overwhelming to find the right tailor.
Transport
The easiest way to get to Hoi An is by taking the public bus which is often referred to as the yellow bus. Now, there are a lot of mixed reviews about taking this bus and how much they charge foreigners. I was alone and only had a small carryon backpack. I was charged 20,000 VND going there in the morning. On the way back I was charged 30,000 VND and I left on the afternoon.
It is very important that you have exact fare and have the money ready when you get on board. This bus does not have A/C and can get crowded. It does make stops along the way and you have to tell the ticket man when you want to get off. The bus will not stop unless you signal for it to stop. The best way to do this is to have Google maps open on your phone so you can see when you’re getting close to your stop, and then make your way to one of the doors on the bus to get out.
Other popular ways to get to Hoi An are private taxi, taking a day trip tour, or renting your own motorbike. Many motorbike shops offer one way rentals between Hoi An, Da Nang, and Hue.
When you arrive at the bus station in Hoi An, you will be bombarded with drivers asking “Where you go?” “Taxi?” Ignore them and go across the street to the gas station where you can get a GrabBike for much cheaper.
Old Town
Once you check into your hotel, make your way into town on a bicycle which many hotels offer for free with your stay. The town is very walkable and parts of the Old Town are closed off to motor vehicles at certain hours of the day.
Now I’m going to be very honest with you, Old Town is VERY busy and crowded no matter what time of the day. If you’re someone that doesn’t like busy areas, then this will not be the place for you. You will see photoshoots on every street, large tour groups that come from Da Nang on day trips, and locals trying to get your to buy their handicrafts.
Walking through the town, you can see why it’s so popular with all the yellow buildings, lanterns, architecture, and shops. It can get overwhelming with all the people and all the choices of shops.
Tailor Shops
Many visitors get something tailored in Hoi An because of its history of trade within Southeast Asia, and because it’s very affordable. You could spend hundreds of dollars creating a whole new wardrobe for yourself. With all the choices of tailors, it’s best to do your research before going into a store. I chose Anna which is located just outside the main area of Old Town. She was very helpful in recommending fabrics based on the design that I wanted, and was able to make my custom dress in just 48 hours!
