Vietnamese's homestays

Staying in small local hotels is a great way to get a feel for the culture you’re visiting, but if you really want to understand more about the daily lives of the local people, then there really is no substitute for spending a few days as a homestay guest.

Do exercise in the morning at homestay

A homestay is one of the best ways to truly experience Vietnam. A visitor will have a best chance to get to learn the local lifestyle and culture and enjoy the country’s unique family atmosphere. Most homestays are in people’s homes that have been upgraded to be acceptable to a visitor’s standard. Of course, this style of travel isn’t for everyone… Conditions can be fairly basic – home is often a simple wooden construction with mats on the floor to sleep on, cold-water showers and definitely no air-conditioning… The accommodation can range from a private bedroom in a family’s home, to small private bungalows or even a dormitory for student groups but if you’re up for a little bit of an adventure and come with an open-mind, you’ll soon find that the minor discomforts are far out-weighed by the benefits of this unique experience. There is simply no better way to get a better understanding of the people and surrounding life.

Homestay in The Mekong Delta

A visitor who lived in Dublin, Ireland travelled to Vietnam in the year of 2012, Noble wrote on TripAdvisor that he and his local guide stayed with a family amid rolling hills and rivers on their way from Hanoi to Sa Pa.

“To be shown around the village, rice fields, rivers and bush land with the most wonderful double waterfall to swim and wash the end of a day away was better than any 5-star hotel.”

He enjoyed the variety and flavor of the family meals cobbled together out of food raised by his hosts and their neighbors.

The family had a large fish pond and raised chickens, ducks and pigs in a “compassionate manner.” The fruits and vegetables they served had been grown in their back yards. “This is the real Vietnam,” he wrote.

The guest is cooking family meal at Sapa homestay

Homestay tourism was first provided in Vietnam in the 1990s and has become particularly popular in Vietnam’s highlands which are rich in mountains and diverse ethnic communities. Though there are homestays all around the country, those located on tranquil islands of the delta, surrounded by acres of orchards, are particularly attractive in destinations such as Hue, Hoi An, Da Lat and the Mekong Delta, etc.

Read more: The best hotels in Vietnam

The Jackfruit Homestay in Hoi An

Nowadays, homestay tourism has growth day by day, the hosts even provide closer operational guidance and language training. They also give their customers bicycles to roam the surrounding villages, rice fields,… and local knowledge of things to see and do that most visitors could never find on their own. Don’t forget to bring your camera to take a photo of Vietnamese beautiful sceneries on the way. All homestays also provide many extra services such as cooking instruction by helping to shop and prepare meals to their customers.

Learning how to make the Square Cake at homestay

For around $15 a head, you are accommodated by local family for the night either in a bed or hammock in a spare room, given the tasty meals and the standard bathroom facilities, sometimes with squat toilets and bucket baths, but generally clean.

Funny time for chatting with hosts

We at Amity Smile Travel understand the desire of those that truly want an authentic experience. So we would like to recommend you homestays that will may help you have a most enjoyable and memorable homestay experience in your Vietnam trip as below: 

View more at http://amitysmiletravel.com/travel-blog/homestays-in-vietnam.html 

Highlights of Hoi An, Vietnam You must see

Vietnam, a diverse tropical environment in the Indochinese peninsula, is blessed with awe inspiring landscapes, intriguing culture and ancient history. Hugely popular with travellers, the country offers a warm welcome into the local life and natural beauty of South East Asia, coupled with an exciting insight into famous legends. Amidst dominating mountains and dense forest lies the exciting coastal village of Hoi An. Once a major trading port for international goods, the World Heritage Site, known to the locals as ‘the peaceful meeting place’, is a goldmine for curious visitors, eager to discover its undisturbed history, magnificent culture and grand temples. 

Tasty tradition

A trip to this historical village would be wasted without sampling the flavoursome Vietnamese delicacies. Cao Lau, a Hoi An favourite, is an authentic pork noodle dish with a difference, full of the cultured tastes of its trading port past. While the water is drawn only from the local Ba Le well, the dish features thick noodles akin to Japanese udon, with the won-ton crackers and pork being a clear Chinese touch. Sample this dish, along with tasty street food at Morning Glory, a beautiful restaurant housed in an old colonial building in the centre of the district. Why not learn to cook your favourite meal at the restaurant’s cooking school? 

Further must-try delicacies include White Rose (steamed shrimp dumpling-like tasters) and Fried Won Tons topped with local meat, all available in a plethora of friendly restaurants both on and off shore. 

Festival spirit

To experience the true culture and heritage of Vietnamese life, you must attend one of Hoi An’s famous Full Moon Festivals. Throughout the year, on every 14th day of the lunar month, Hoi An Old Town transforms into a colourful lantern filled wonderland, free from the daily noise of traffic. Instead, swarms of locals and visitors flock to the area, serving as a centre stage to relive the golden age of prosperity and to honour and respect their ancestors. The Old Town becomes a hive of activity as echoes of traditional song and dance fill the busy streets, while monk-led candle lit ceremonies light up ancient temples. The next Full Moon Festival will take place this year on June 22, 2013. You may also enjoy Vu Lan Day, or ‘All Souls Day’ in July, associated with the annual wandering of ancestors’ souls and surrounded by great legend. 

Market madness

For a shopping trip to remember, explore the hustle and bustle of Hoi An’s busy trade at the Central Market, located on the banks of the Thu Bon River. Browse through a colourful collection of local handicraft and souvenirs, choose your favourite silk and have clothing handmade by Hoi An’s famous tailors, all under one roof. While enjoying the market scene, it’s hard to ignore the beautiful aromas filtering in from the food hall. A vast selection of family recipe meals, exotic fresh fruit and local spices are on display by friendly sellers, eager to give you an authentic taste of south east Asia. 

Tour the temples

Famed for its ancient history and religious landmarks, Hoi An will not disappoint the temple loving traveller. About two kilometres outside the centre lies the oldest Buddhist temple in Hoi An, Chuc Thanh Pagoda. Founded in 1454 by Minh Hai, a Chinese monk, the ancient pagoda displays a combination of Chinese and Vietnamese inspired architecture with a collection of religious artefacts thought to be over 200 years old. To explore a slice of Hoi An’s history, visit Quan Cong temple, a series of houses entwined by elaborate, detailed statues and traditional artwork, dedicated to the respected Chinese General. As you enter the royal red-gold entrance, prepare to be dazzled by a plethora of precious items and ancient memorabilia, depicting the General as a worshipped symbol of loyalty, sincerity, integrity and justice. 

With a wealth of diverse attractions to please even the most seasoned traveller, Hoi An’s thriving coastal settlement is the perfect holiday destination to return to again and again. 

5 Things must do While you're in Hoi An

Formerly a happening trading port in post-modern South East Asia, Hoi An is now famous for being an exotic tourist attraction in the South Central Vietnam. This UNESCO World Heritage site offers its guesses a peaceful ambiance. Most of the time, tourists prefer to visit Hoi An’s classic architecture and religious sites as well as to purchase traditional souvenirs and bespoke clothing from the town’s renowned tailor shops.

However, Hoi An also offers a wide range of service for recreation and adventure, aside from sightseeing and shopping. With rustic paddle fields, bucolic villages, beautiful river, gorgeous beach and undamaged coral reef, Hoi An is the place for you to try out new things. Below are the 5 most interesting activities to do in Hoi An, proposed by foreign tourists and backpackers.

1. Joining a cooking tour

Probably not for daring adventurers but a brilliant idea for families, the tour is a daytrip to Thuan Tinh Island on Thu Bon River. It will take place from morning until noon and transportation will be provided by the tour organizer.

The first destination is a local wet market, where you will see how Vietnamese normally sell and purchase their food. All the ingredients there are organic though it is advisable to ask your guides on how to choose the freshest and tastiest if you want to purchase. Next, it will take you 40 minutes of relaxation and sight-seeing along Thu Bon River on a ferry to Thuan Tinh Island. Here you will have another 30-minute-row-boat ride under coconut glove to discover the local village. From time to time, you will get to rest and enjoy tropical fruits and juice.

The cooking class is outdoor and open to fresh air. Both the chef and the guide are knowledgeable, friendly and helpful. You will be instructed on how to cook the most famous Vietnamese dishes, namely Pho Bo (Beef Pho ), Nem Cuon (Spring Roll), Banh Xeo (Vietnamese Pancake), etc. Believe it or not, Vietnamese food are inherently good and easy to cook so don’t have worry much about your own cooking experience. The fun is to try your self-made dishes and gauge your own cooking ability.

The price is $35 per pax, not extremely inexpensive but definitely worthwhile, given all the transportation along with the food and fun that you will get to enjoy. Contact us for more information about the tour and booking.

2. Rent a bike and discover the countryside

Hoi An has been well known for its old houses, temples, pagodas and bridges. However, outside this small town is a totally different landscape with rice field, fisher villages, river and beach that you certainly do not want to miss.

The ideal transport for this expedition is bicycle. Bicycle renting service is ubiquitous in Hoi An. Paying about $2-3 and you will have that bicycle for a whole day, riding anywhere as you wish. Some hotels like Ha An even lend their bikes to their residents without any extra charge.

Cycling slowly through narrow paths along vast paddy fields, discovering how locals live their daily life and relaxing on the unspoiled beach of Cua Dai, you will find the peace of life that hardly other places in Vietnam can offer. The cordial villagers will help if you happen to get lost. On the beach, you can sunbathe, swim and eat: the seafood here is the freshest in the region as fisher village is just nearby. The price of renting a sun lounger for one day is as cheap as buying a water bottle. A good news for bingers is that restaurants and bars are open until night.

Though thrilling and adventurous, especially when you ride in group, travelling on your own in an unfamiliar area may be quite challenging for some. One alternative is to have a guided tour. There is a range of service, from half day to overnight homestay. Riding on robust sport bikes, you will be guided to visit the best places near the old town. Prices ranging from $24 (for half-day tour) to $89 (for overnight homestay).

3. Scuba diving and snorkelling

The sport has just been around for 4 years in the sea area surrounding Cu Lao Cham Island, which is 25 nautical miles from the coast of Cua Dai. Therefore, this is a relatively new diving site. You will not be annoyed by so many divers and boats and have more chance to experience the unspoiled beauty of Cu Lao Cham’s seabed and coral reef.

The best time in year to dive in Cu Lao Cham is from April to October when the water is warm and calm and underwater vision is clear. There are suitable times during other months too but chances are you will be disappointed by gloomy weather. Currently, Cu Lao Cham has three major commercial diving sites: Hon Dai, Hon Tai and Hon Mo. You can opt for either snorkeling or scuba-diving. Snorkeling is wearing a snorkel tube and floating underwater near the surface. You need to hold your breath when diving this way and thus cannot go too deep. But the good thing is that you do not need any experience to snorkel. Scuba-diving, on the other hand, requires some skills and knowledge. With gas tank and tight diving suit, you can venture 5-7 meters deep into the water, take some picture and play with the fish.

If you are new to diving but too enthusiastic about discovering the seabed then there is one company called Blue Coral Diving. This is a 5-star PADI dive center which offers courses in scuba diving. The instructors are experienced Vietnamese and foreign divers. There are three levels of course, ranging from Beginner and Advanced to Professional. The price starts from $250 and you will get discount if you come in group. For Beginners and Advanced levels, the course only lasts for 2 to 4 days. Another PADI-certified company is Cham Island Diving, which offers both course and tour. The price for one diving session is not too expensive, ranging from $42 to $80 per pax.

4. Become a one-day farmer in Tra Que Village

Fed up with luxury and want to experience some frugality? Just take a ride to Tra Que Village, put your conical leaf hat on and start hoeing, plowing and watering like a real farmer.

Located 3 kilometers to the northeast of Hoi An’s old town, Tra Que is a typical Vietnamese village with green gardens and fields. Being instructed by local farmers, you will have one morning working under the sun to understand how the tasty dishes that you enjoy in Hoi An comes about. You will also gain great insight into traditional Vietnamese farming method. The trip will prove instructive to those home gardeners as you will acquire some very helpful tips about growing and tending plants from the local professionals. After a morning of hard physical work, lunchtime is when you will be taken care of. Foot message is often included in some of these “farmer” tours. Professional staff will help you get rid of stress and tension in your body and mind. Another reward is food and drink made of organic food grown in the village.

Most of these day trips are cycle-tour as you will get to the village by bikes. Along the way, you will have the chance to discover Hoi An’s fishing village and observe farmers catching fish by nets from their row boats. The price is about $30 per pax, quite reasonable given the insight, hand-on skills and good food you will get.

5. Relax at a Spa (finally)

We have been through cooking, cycling, diving and farming, which are all in authentic Hoi An and Vietnamese style. Alas, after all of these adventures and physical activities, our last recommendation for your fulfilling experience in Hoi An is all about relaxation and invigoration.

Although there are many spas in Hoi An, Palmarosa Spa is the first one that uses only pure natural products and ingredients in their therapies. This, combined with professional staffs and service, makes it the number one in Hoi An. You will feel relaxed and peaceful from the very first moment walking into Palmarosa. The staffs just couldn’t do enough to help you. They are always ready to welcome you with herbal teas and foot soak, even before you choose your treatments. Facilities are new and clean, and the spa is artistically decorated in East Asian style. Once inside Palmarosa, with soft glowing light and cool refreshing air surrounding, all you want to do is to pull over and take a nap, especially if you have just come back from a hectic day trip or lengthy tiresome flight.

But wait, you still need to order your service! Palmarosa Spa has a variety of therapies and treatments to offer you: the thirty-minute Indian head therapy, the sixty-five-minute foot reflexology, the seventy-five-minute Basalt Hot Stone body therapy, etc. And don’t forget to try the ninety-minute Palmarosa Spa Signature (which sounds like something really special!). The prices range from $11 to $43, slightly more expensive than other local spas but don’t bother since the money will go with quality!

Palmarosa Spa is on 90 Ba Trieu Street, just 9 minutes walking from the town’s center. The spa is open from 10am to 9pm and last booking is at 8pm. So if you are in staying in Hoi An, don’t hesitate, come to the place and have a relaxing experience!