My long weekend: from Hoi An to Hong Kong

Hong Kong is an exciting and vibrant city, in sharp contrast to the relaxed atmosphere in Hoi An. I would like to tell you about my trip, so that you can hopefully get some inspiration for what you can do during the long weekend, or maybe even before or after the semester. There are plenty of options!

Hong Kong Park was a beautiful and surprisingly peaceful park. You can see turtles all around the pond.

Hong Kong Park was a beautiful and surprisingly peaceful park. You can see turtles around the pond. Da Nang Airport is about 45 minutes from Hoi An and has excellent connections for traveling abroad over long weekends. We flew with the airline HK Express, which offered tickets at low prices.

I’d recommend using SkyScanner or Google Flights as soon as you know the dates you can travel, and just hit choose anywhere as your destination. That’s how we decided to go to Hong Kong!

When we landed in Hong Kong, we had no mobile data and, since it was late, there were few public transport options. Instead, we withdrew some cash to use the color‑coded taxis outside the airport, which turned out to be a fun and affordable alternative.

Apart from tonight, we found the public transport system incredibly convenient; you can just tap your bank card when you board or download the 'Octopus Card' app.

The Kowloon area, more specifically Mong Kok, is one of the most densely populated places in the world. You’ll see endless numbers of skyscrapers with old air-conditioning units. Sometimes these can drip water, and you might experience “rain from a clear sky” as you walk beneath them.

We chose to stay on Hong Kong Island because of its central location, even though it’s a bit more expensive here. Our hostel, Check Inn HK, had a reception that was open around the clock, which was important to us. It was strategically located close to some of the main attractions, vibrant nightlife, and excellent restaurants.

There were several other students from Kulturstudier in Hong Kong at the same time as us, and some chose to live in the Kowloon area, known for its traditional charm and often more affordable accommodation options. But be prepared for smaller rooms and very lively surroundings!

Repulse Bay was the perfect place to spend a hot day, a getaway from the heat of the city.

A surprising highlight was discovering Hong Kong’s beautiful beaches, especially on the island’s southwest side.Repulse Baywas perfect for swimming, and some of us even played beach volleyball at sunset. The bus connections to this beach were also really good. We also visited Big Wave Beach, a famous surfing spot where one of my friends rented a surfboard for about 50 HKD (around 70 NOK).

In front of Big Wave Beach there was a charming little surf town where we rented surfboards and had lunch. Remember to bring enough cash if you’re going to spend the day here, as everything is cash-only!

If you like hiking, Hong Kong is also the place for you! We hiked along Dragon's Back, which is probably HK's most iconic trail. It’s a fairly easy hike, which took us about 2.5 hours. The hike starts at the To Tei Wan bus stop on Shek O Road. We set off at around 3:30 p.m., and on the way down we got to see one of the most beautiful sunsets. This was definitely the highlight of my trip. Hiking along Dragon’s Back is an amazing way to experience Hong Kong’s scenic beauty.

No trip to Hong Kong would be complete without a visit to Victoria Peak, the highest of the many hills on Hong Kong Island. To get there, you can take the Peak Tram, one of the world’s oldest funicular railways, which offers you breathtaking views over the city on the way up. Its steep incline reminded me of Fløibanen in Bergen, Norway!

From the top you get a beautiful view of the entire city and its iconic skyline. We went there in the late afternoon towards evening, which I would recommend.

Reaching the top just before sunset let us witness the amazing transition from day to night. If you go during the daytime, you can also walk along the scenic trails, and apparently it’s like a green oasis. It’s definitely a contrast to the city’s hustle and bustle just below!

The food in Hong Kong is an adventure in itself. For a traditional dim sum meal, I can recommend Tim Ho Wan. It’s a very well-regarded restaurant and, as a bonus, it’s known for being the world’s cheapest Michelin-starred restaurant. I ordered the BBQ pork buns, and they were delicious.

Another must is Australian Dairy Co., a local HK institution known for its breakfast and lunch. They serve classics like French toast, scrambled eggs, ham and macaroni soup (!), egg pudding, as well as refreshing iced tea and milk tea. The waiters move pretty fast, and they can come across as a bit rude. Apparently, that’s considered the classic HK style.

There’s also a good chance you’ll end up sitting with strangers. For me, it felt a bit strange at first, because no one said anything to each other while sharing such a small table. But suddenly a nice lady sat down next to me, and now I have a new friend from New York!

I ended up becoming really fond of this concept. It had this friendly speed-dating style to it, and it pushed me to be more open with strangers.

Some of the dishes I tried at Australian Dairy Co. The food here is quite simple, yet delicious. The French toast is a must try.

We also visited a café in the Central district, called Hjem. This is a Nordic-style café run by a Norwegian lady. We order Skagen toast, meatballs, cinnamon buns, and Norwegian waffles with brown cheese.

It was amusing to say that we travel all the way to Hong Kong to eat brown cheese. Anyways, we had a lot of fun ordering these dishes. But be aware: in classic Nordic style – it’s expensive!

Hong Kong has it all. Even brown cheese!

The weather was fantastic during our visit—sunny and much less humid than Vietnam, making it perfect for exploring the streets and of course getting some shopping done. Shopping in Hong Kong is a blend of luxury and local culture. There is something for everyone.

The most famous street markets are called Ladies’ Market and Temple Street Night Market, where you can find everything from fashion to souvenirs. There were also a few vintage stores.

Although I have to say what we enjoyed the most was just walking around the city, stumbling into some of the many hidden gems. I think that’s the way to do it in HK! In terms of costs, Hong Kong is pricier than Vietnam, but with some effort, you can find budget-friendly options.

Mee & Gee is a thrift store chain in Hong Kong, and it’s the most well-known yet best-kept secret for cheap imported vintage clothes and accessories.

Hong Kong is definitely a city that has it all. From the typical big city life to numerous hiking options, to beautiful beaches and delicious food. If you are able to travel in the long weekend, I highly recommend visiting one of Vietnam’s neighbouring countries or destinations like Hong Kong.

It also offers a unique perspective and an opportunity to reflect on the beauty of your new and temporary home country. I returned to Vietnam with a deeper appreciation for its culture and way of living, feeling enriched by my little escape.

Hot tip: I didn’t have time to go to Disneyland, but if you want to go, my friend who did has a tip: It’s a lot cheaper if you go between Tuesdays and Thursdays! Pre-book as soon as you have checked what fits with the long weekend schedule.