Everyday Life in Hoi An

I haven’t really felt much need to travel away when I enjoy everyday life here so much. Here are some examples of what you can fill your days with!

I’ve grown fond of going to yoga while living here. I usually bike to Omday Yoga, which is about 15 minutes away from the student housing. The ride goes through rice fields, and the yoga studio is an open space overlooking the green landscape.

Here, it’s not just the yoga itself that makes the experience special, but the beautiful surroundings and the sounds of nature all around. Trying a yoga class here is something I would recommend whether you’ve practiced yoga before or not.

With 30 degrees and sun most days, we often end up at the beach. You can bike here in 20 minutes, or take a Grab (taxi) for around 10 Norwegian kroner.

I’ve often gone to Hidden Beach, which is a bit smaller and quieter than other places. Here you can rent a sunbed cheaply for the whole day. There’s also a good café right next to it called Hít Hà.

There are also several hotels with pools near the student housing. You can usually use the pool for free, or as long as you buy something to drink. We’ve done this a lot, since it’s so easy to stop by during the day.

If you want to expand your options for beaches and swimming, I recommend taking a trip to Cham Island.

It’s only a half-hour boat ride from the harbor, and has clear water and different kinds of beaches than in Hoi An.

A few weeks ago a group from Kulturstudier went here on a guided day trip with snorkeling, but it’s also possible to stay overnight and rent scooters so you can explore the island on your own.

Hoi An has a wide range of places to eat, offering both local favorites such as phở, cao lầu, and bánh mì, as well as international dishes.

Fortunately, the prices are so low that you have the chance to take advantage of the offer! I actually haven’t cooked a single meal myself during the weeks I’ve been here, because it’s both easier and cheaper to eat out.

Hoi An has several cozy bars where you can gather in the evening.

We’ve spent quite a bit of time at Hem Cocktail Bar, and we recently discovered Chăm Chỉ Club, which is a small hidden gem near the beach with live music on Wednesdays.

Even though Hoi An has just about everything, Da Nang is right nearby if you’re looking for a big-city vibe.

During the semester, you often go to Da Nang on Mondays for lectures at the university, and then you have a long break in the middle of the day when you have time to explore the city.

It’s also possible to stay after the school day is over, or to go there on the weekend.

Da Nang is Vietnam’s third-largest city, and it has a wide selection of cool cafés, eateries, thrift stores, and other shopping.

In my experience, you don’t necessarily have to travel to as many places as possible to experience a lot.

It’s really the small routines, the favorite spots, and having time to get to know the locals and the other students that have become what I value the most. There’s always the possibility to travel more, both before and after the semester.