Vietnam 5: Hoi An – Lanterns, Local Flavors & Why the Crowds Are Worth It

Send us Fan Mail

Hoi An is undeniably touristy. But after a few days wandering its lantern-lit streets, eating our way through some of the most unique food we found in Vietnam, and soaking up its beautiful old-world charm, I came away thinking: this place is touristy for a reason. In this episode, we explore Hoi An’s incredible food scene, from bánh bèo and white rose dumplings to cao lầu and endless cups of MOT herbal tea, while also navigating crowded markets, aggressive haggling, a somewhat questionable beach adventure, and some delightfully awkward interviews with local students. Come along to one of Vietnam’s most popular destinations—and find out why, despite the crowds, I absolutely think Hoi An is worth the hype. 

Link to food tour (a local company):

The specific tour we did

All the tours by that company

Music and Sound Credits:

Samarai Acoustic by Ebunny, Dream by Atlas Audio and Sea and Beach by Upbeat  provided by Pixabay.

Pickleball sound effect and Hoi An.wav by OleTerbijn -- License: Attribution License 4.0-  provided by freesound community. 

Support the show

Want to support the podcast? Go to Laura's Patreon site to see photos from the episode, maps of places she talks about and you can become a patron too!

Follow the show on instagram or facebook.

Buy any of these products that I fully stand behind- and I'll earn a commission.

Buy cute sustainable bags at: https://torrain.org/   Use Promo code: TRAVELALONG to get 15% off.  

Buy matcha at: https://mantramatcha.com/  Use Promo code: TRAVELALONG to get 15% off.  

Buy sustainably produced coffee:  https://www.afueracoffee.com/  Enter promo code: TRAVELALONG for 15% off.  

Music in advertisement by Pavel Bekirov from Pixabay