Get around
Traffic in too-narrow spacesThe centre of Hoi An is very small and pedestrianised, so you will be walking around most of
the time. Unfortunately, motorbikes have not been banned from the center yet, so particularly at night keep an eye out
for motorized kamikazes, even in the most narrow alleys. However, the city's government does not allow the motorbike to
enter the Old Town in the whole day of 14th and 15th each lunar month. From the evening until night of those days, a
lot of activities, including the traditional games such as bai choi, trong quan, dap nieu... will be held in all over the town.
Enjoy them with the local people!
To go to the beach or reach some of the more remote hotels, it is easy and cheap to hire a bicycle. Taxis are few and
far between, but can be called by phone. When busy, taxis may refuse your fare back to your hotel from town if it is too
close, opting for larger fares. Arranging a shuttle from your hotel may be a better option. Motorbike taxis, of course, are
always an option. You can also charter boats for about US$1/hour.
Almost all hotels rent motorbikes at about US$6/day. It's standard practice for the bike to have only enough gas to make
it to the next gas station. In addition to gas stations, there are also little hand-operated roadside pumps everywhere;
these can be convenient, but they're more expensive and the quality of the gas is open to question.
Use the bike to visit My Son, about an hour away, or the Marble Mountains, about forty minutes north towards Da Nang.
Get out
My Son - ruins of the ancient Cham empire, in the jungle a little over an hour from town
Several tour companies offer day-trips or overnight trips to Cham Island, which may include snorkeling or scuba diving
(US$25-60)
The Marble Mountains, 9km short of Da Nang, are well worth a morning or afternoon trip from Hoi An
Hue - the former imperial capital, a few hours away by car or train
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