After four weeks in Hoi An, we expected Da Nang to be just another beach city. Instead, we discovered ancient Champa history, mystical caves, sunrise walks, bustling fish markets, Monkey Mountain, and a dragon breathing fire into the night sky.
vietnam-travel
February 2026 Travel Budget: Wrapping Up Slow Travel in Vietnam
February had our lowest total monthly spend so far, though daily costs were slightly higher than in January. This highlights how slower travel, fewer transfers, and longer stays can keep overall expenses low.
Hoi An: Life Around Tết
Tết in Hoi An was not just a single celebration—it was a gradual transformation. Over four weeks, we watched flowers appear, markets change, families gather, and traditions unfold as the town welcomed the Lunar New Year.
Hoi An: Vegetable Gardens, Woodcarvers and Waterways
Beyond Hoi An's Ancient Town lie peaceful villages, traditional crafts, rice fields and waterways. Join us as we explore Tra Que and Cam Kim on foot, discovering a quieter side of Hoi An that many visitors never see.
Hoi An: Exploring the Ancient Town
Hoi An Ancient Town lived up to its reputation for lantern-lit streets and historic charm. Yet our favorite moments came during the quieter hours, when the crowds faded and the town's history, architecture, and atmosphere could be appreciated at a slower pace.
Our First Days in Hoi An: Kumquat Trees, Snails and Karaoke
Before Hoi An’s lanterns and Ancient Town, we found its everyday rhythm in the streets around our apartment — neighborhood festivals, local food, and unexpected evenings shaped by kumquat growers and karaoke. These early days revealed a side of Hoi An that guidebooks rarely show.
January 2026 Travel Budget: How Slow Travel Made Vietnam Even Cheaper
In January, our Vietnam travel became more budget-friendly. Staying longer in Ninh Binh and Hue, cooking some meals at home, and using land transport kept costs low. At CAD 72.97 per day for two, this was our cheapest month so far, without compromising on experiences or comfort.
Hue: Exploring Beyond the Courtyard
Our walks in Hue slowly expanded beyond the Imperial City walls, across canals and old streets, until we reached the Perfume River, where the city’s layered geography and everyday life began to come together.
Ninh Binh: Tràng An Boat Route 3 and What Came After
Our final day in Ninh Binh began with a boat journey through Tràng An Route 3 and continued with a walk through karst landscapes. A freshly prepared fish meal and a fading sunset in Tràng An completed a day of contrasts and discovery.
Ninh Binh: What We Almost Missed
We followed a trail that wasn’t on Google map and ended up at a sealed gate in the cliffs. Only later did we realize we had been standing at the edge of Tuyệt Tịnh Cốc—just on the wrong side of it.