A Day in the Life When Studying in Hoi An

Hoi An is an exciting and charming place to call home during a semester abroad. From sunny mornings to relaxing evenings, every day brings new adventures and experiences. I thought I’d take you along and show you how a typical day might look like when living and studying in Hoi An.

17. juli 2025|Carina

08:00 – Waking up

Waking up in the homestay, I am usually greeted by the warm sun streaming through the window and the gentle noise of life outside.

Vietnamese people often wake up before 06:00 for their morning exercise or preparing for the market, so there is often a lot of activity early on. Our host family has a restaurant connected to their homestay, and we normally order a cup of the famous Vietnamese iced coffee before school.

a woman wearing a conical hat is holding a tray of iced coffee . — Khanh makes the best iced coffee at her restaurant, called TOAN 's Restaurant Coffee Garden.

Khanh makes the best iced coffee at her restaurant, called TOAN 's Restaurant Coffee Garden.

08:30 – Biking to school

After coffee and breakfast at the homestay, it’s time to hop on our bikes and head to school. Hoi An is a beautiful city for cycling, especially because of the views of the rice fields.

Often, I will ride alongside my friends. If I am ever in a hurry and skip breakfast at the homestay, there is plenty of banh mi vendors on the way to school. With so many options, you’re bound to find your favorite in no time.

a group of people are standing outside of a restaurant with a sign that says `` see you again '' . — One of the many Bahn Mi vendors on the way to school, called Bahn Mi Phuong

One of the many Bahn Mi vendors on the way to school, called Bahn Mi Phuong

09:00 to 11:00 – Morning Lecture

Classes take place in a spacious, air-conditioned lecture hall at the university. After the warm bike ride, stepping into the cool hall is very rewarding.

The lectures are engaging and cover a wide range of topics, encouraging students to think critically and participate actively. The professors often include real-world examples, making the material even more relatable and inspiring.

11:30 to 12:30 – Lunch Break

When the lecture ends, it’s time for lunch at Balance Café. They serve a delicious mix of Vietnamese and Western-style dishes, everything from traditional pho, noodles and spring rolls to salad and pasta.

At Balance Café they have a suggestion box, where students can request their favorite meals or propose new ideas for the menu. You can also write suggestions for other things regarding the study programme.

a plate of food with rice , noodles , carrots , green beans and meat on a table .

13:30 to 15:00 – Seminar Time

Once or twice a week we have seminars in the afternoon, which take place in smaller groups to encourage discussion and interaction. These sessions are a chance to dive deeper into the lecture topics of the week.

Seminar leaders often organize debates, group projects, and other collaborative activities that make learning more dynamic and engaging.

It’s also an excellent opportunity to hear perspectives from other classmates, which I think adds depth to my understanding of the subject matter.

15:30 to 16:00 – Tailor Fitting

Hoi An is famous for it's many tailors, and many students choose to get some tailored clothes during the semester.

Whether you’re designing a custom dress, suit, or casual outfit, the process is quick and enjoyable. After selecting your fabric and design, you’ll return for a fitting to ensure everything fits perfectly.

The quick turnaround means you can often have your custom clothing ready within a day or two. It’s a unique and memorable way to bring a piece of Hoi An home with you. Tailors like Elite Tailor and 45 Thu in the Old Town have been my two favorites during the semester.

a woman is standing in front of a wall of fabrics in a store . — There are endless amounts of patterns and fabrics at the tailors in Hoi An. I recommend having a somewhat idea of what you would like before you go, to avoid stress and perhaps buying something you don’t need!

There are endless amounts of patterns and fabrics at the tailors in Hoi An. I recommend having a somewhat idea of what you would like before you go, to avoid stress and perhaps buying something you don’t need!

17:00 – Dinner in the Old Town

As the day winds down, it’s time to meet my friends for dinner. The Old Town have plenty of options, so we usually ride our bikes here in the afternoon.

One favorite spot among the students is Lan Thai, known for its delicious Pad Thai with chicken, as well as their refreshing iced tea. This meal will cost you around 40,000 VND (around 17 NOK).

three women are sitting at a table eating noodles with chopsticks . — If you are looking for cheap, authentic, and delicious food in Vietnam, try to find a place with these types of small plastic chairs.

If you are looking for cheap, authentic, and delicious food in Vietnam, try to find a place with these types of small plastic chairs.

18:00 to 19:00 – Yoga at OM Day

I have found a love for yoga during my time in Hoi An. There are many studios to choose from, but I can recommend OM Day.

It is located just a 10-minute bike ride away from the student houses, and the journey takes you through the beautiful rice fields while you get to see more of the countryside in Hoi An. OM Day offers a variety of yoga classes suitable for all levels, making it easy to find a session that fits your preferences.

The friendly instructors create a welcoming atmosphere, and the studio also has a mini library where you can borrow books for free, only by putting in a refundable deposit. This hour of relaxation and mindfulness is a something I truly cherish in an otherwise very busy everyday life.

a man is doing aerial yoga in a gym with hammocks hanging from the ceiling . — At Om Day you can practice yoga while overlooking the rice fields. They also arrange different workshops here, in addition to the variety of classes.

At Om Day you can practice yoga while overlooking the rice fields. They also arrange different workshops here, in addition to the variety of classes.

20:00 – Evening Hangout

To end the day, I like to gather with friends outside one of the student houses. These evening hangouts are a time to relax, share stories, and enjoy each other’s company.

Sometimes we order drinks, play card games, or simply talk about all and everything. These moments of connection are what makes studying in Hoi An so special. They’re a reminder that the friendships I've formed here are just as valuable as the academic and cultural experiences.

a woman sits on a rock overlooking a city

This is usually how a normal day for me goes by in Hoi An. Although I find that every day can be very different, and they of course have its ups and downs too.

I have experienced some very good days here, but there have also been tough days where all I wanted at that time was to be back in my dear comfort zone!

The bad days have almost been more defining than the good ones, as I seem to grow even more from the challenges when I am so far away from home.

My best tip is to greet every day with gratitude and curiosity, and the everyday life and its routines will follow.