When visiting Da Nang, the most anticipated attraction was Hoi An, a historical ancient town and cultural hub. However, my visit left me feeling quite disappointed. If you’re short on time, you can easily skip it and instead enjoy a relaxing day at the beach, soaking up the sun. The entire ancient town is heavily commercialized, with a noisy and dirty atmosphere, and the river is unfortunately filled with garbage.
Electric scooters and bicycles zip through the streets, honking incessantly. Street vendors are everywhere, selling toy pigeons with rubber band mechanisms. One of these toys even landed on my head, tangling my hair in the rubber band, which only came off after I had to pull out some of my hair. You can walk around the entire ancient town in just an hour.
The ancestral hall is the only highlight worth seeing; everything else is not particularly impressive.
I had a similar experience when I visited Hoi An. It’s sad to see such a historically rich place feel so overcrowded and commercialized. I guess it’s still worth a quick stop if you’re nearby, but I’d prioritize spending time at the beach instead. The electric scooter traffic was also pretty chaotic!
Thank you for sharing your experience! I agree, while Hoi An’s charm is undeniable, the crowds and commercialization can take away from its authentic beauty. If you’re looking to escape the hustle, the nearby beaches are absolutely worth it—beautiful scenery and fresh air make for a perfect retreat. And yes, the scooter traffic takes some getting used to, but it’s part of the adventure!