Riding a motorbike into the ancient town, dressing inappropriately, or skipping entrance tickets are some actions tourists should avoid when visiting Hoi An.
Avoid these 7 things when exploring Hoi An's ancient town.
Hoi An's ancient town is recognized by UNESCO as a world cultural heritage site. It's one of the most attractive destinations in central Vietnam. Here are things tourists should avoid when exploring this unique ancient town.
Skipping entrance tickets
The ticketing system to enter Hoi An's ancient town is not as strict as many other famous landmarks around the world. Many tourists can easily enter the ancient town without having their tickets checked.
However, it's advisable to purchase entrance tickets as it's one of the revenue sources for preserving and restoring the ancient town. In return, ticket holders can choose 4 out of 21 attractions such as museums, cultural sites, ancient houses, assembly halls... Additionally, tourists will receive detailed guidance on maps and unique cultural destinations of Hoi An.
For groups of 8 people or more, an additional tour guide will be arranged to accompany the group. The current entrance fee for Hoi An's ancient town is 80,000 VND for domestic visitors and 120,000 VND for international visitors, with children admitted free of charge.
Visiting during the rainy season
The best time to visit Hoi An is from January to July. Tourists should avoid visiting Hoi An during the stormy rainy season towards the end of the year.
The ancient town is situated along the Hoai River and is prone to flooding during heavy rains. Hoi An on rainy days is often devoid of visitors and quite gloomy, making transportation and dining in the narrow alleys inconvenient.
Opening the debut season
Homestay hosts and acquaintances in Hoi An often remind tourists about the importance of starting their day early. The locals pay special attention to the first customer of the day. If you visit a store early in the morning, avoid bargaining or haggling. If possible, purchase a small item and engage in friendly conversation with the shop owner to bring them good luck throughout the day.
Riding motorbikes into the ancient town
Many streets in Hoi An prohibit motorized vehicles during certain hours. Specifically, Tran Phu, Nguyen Hue, Cong Nu Ngoc Hoa streets, and the entire stretch in front of the Square (along the Hoai River) restrict motorbikes from 9 am to 11 am and 3 pm to 9:30 pm every day of the week.
Hoi An's ancient town is not too large, you can explore every nook and cranny here by walking, cycling, or taking a cyclo ride at a leisurely pace.
Dressing inappropriately
Hoi An boasts numerous spiritual landmarks such as Phuoc Lam Pagoda, Chuc Thanh, Long Tuyen... Therefore, tourists should dress modestly when visiting solemn places. There have been cases where tourists were denied entry for wearing excessively short pants or skirts.
Crowding, pushing
During peak tourist seasons, Hoi An is extremely crowded. Some popular attractions or eateries are often overcrowded. If you visit the ancient town during this time, please patiently queue up, do not crowd or push. While strolling around the ancient town, tourists are also advised not to bring large speakers, avoiding noise in public places.
Rushing through Hoi An
The ancient town is not suitable for those who prefer a fast-paced, bustling lifestyle. Mornings here typically start quite late while evenings end early. Hoi An is not too large, but it's recommended to stay here for 2 - 3 days to have time to explore and fully experience the lifestyle here.
7 prohibitions, 6 things to avoid, and 5 things to do in Hoi An
The set of rules 'Things to know about order, business, and tourism environment in the ancient town area' drafted by the Hoi An City People's Committee, Quang Nam.
Prohibited: Activities such as soliciting, begging, advertising on the streets, in front of unlicensed houses; using motorized vehicles; placing items on the alleyways; circulating electronic vehicles, advertising with loudspeakers; fishing for seafood from An Hoi Bridge to Hoai River Square.
Avoid: Displaying modern goods, trading under the sidewalk, on bridges, mobile vendors must have permits from local authorities; using tents, umbrellas, partitions to shield selling areas; hanging damaged, old, silver-colored lanterns, lanterns not locally made; using sidewalks, house balconies, and front yards for drying household items; dressing, using inappropriate attire.
Recommendation: Use signboards made of traditional materials; utensils for food business, wooden, bamboo products; encourage tourists to purchase entrance tickets; be polite, cheerful, sincere in communication, dealing with guests; plant suitable flowers, ornamental plants, dress appropriately.
According to Khương Nha/Vnexpress
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Reference: Travel guide Mytour
MytourSeptember 26, 2018