Since it’s launch on Netflix, A tourist’s guide to love has sparked huge interest in Hoi An. Yes, movies always depict a glamorous side of the city they are filmed in. But even so, Hoi An is still a city in Vietnam worth visiting from my perspective as a local.

Not to be confused with the city of Hoi An, Hoi An Ancient Town is a small yet beautiful UNESCO heritage site within Hoi An city. A 35 minutes drive away from Da Nang, it is definitely a place not to be missed. The only questions are how long and when.

Hoi An Ancient Town is well known for its rustic paints and well preserved architecture. In the Netflix series, the flattering scene of Amanda walking out of the dark alley showcases the flattering beauty of Hoi An Ancient Town, a beautiful maze of narrow streets, ancient houses, and historic temples.

To truly appreciate the beauty of Hoi An Ancient town, you can easily hire a professional photographer to capture beautiful travel memories.

They can also take a leisurely bike ride to explore the city and surrounding countryside, or take a boat ride on the scenic Thu Bon River, with views of the city’s historic buildings and temples.

One of the few scenes was the tour group deciding on what to order in a tailor chain named Yaly Couture. Tailoring is a popular activity amongst tourists in Hoi An.

Like Vanda Tailors, Yaly Couture is one of the exclusive 3 tailor shops that own their own factory or have In house tailors. Many other Hoi an tailor stores are simply just tailor store fronts that outsource to sweatshops.

Visiting a tailor store with In-house tailors and quality fabric choices will make the tailoring experience much more pleasurable. Quality of tailored products will also be more assured.

In the scene, the range of fabrics are really wide. In recent years, good fabrics can be sourced in Vietnam due to the booming garment industry. However, the fabric trade in Vietnam can be slightly complicated contrary to popular belief.

Other popular activities include leather making workshops.

The beautiful night scene of Scott Ly and Rachael Cook releasing paper lanterns into Thu Bon river is another popular  touristy activity. Along Bach Dang street, there will be many pushy street vendors who will hustle you into buying a lantern from them.

While the lanterns look gorgeous in the river, I do not encourage releasing these lanterns into the water. Firstly, it causes unnecessary pollution.

Second, this does not have any significance and did not exist before the tourism boom (I.e. bring good luck etc).

Last, most of the vendors are pretty wealthy in the first place unlike what most tourists think (many who patronise out of sympathy).

To be a paper lanterns vendor and boats men, you need to own a house nearby (which is really expensive). So they can actually be more asset rich than you do!

Sited near Bach Dang river, Japanese Covered Bridge is a 18th-century bridge known for its unique architecture and intricate carvings. It is even displayed at the back of the 20,000 Vietnam Dong Bank note.

Located close to the An Hoi bridge, it is another beautiful architecture left behind by the Japanese after the 19th century.

Bonus tip: A favourite very early morning activity for many locals is to enjoy their coffee and breakfast from street vendors near the Japanese bridge.

To be a paper lanterns vendor and boats men, you need to own a house nearby (which is really expensive). So they can actually be more asset rich than you do!

The ruins of My Son is a good 2 hour ride from Hoi An. It was once a centre of the Cham civilisation and offer a glimpse into the country’s rich history and culture.

It resembles the Angkor Wat of Cambodia and I will only suggest going if you are really into history.

To be a paper lanterns vendor and boats men, you need to own a house nearby (which is really expensive). So they can actually be more asset rich than you do!

The scenes filmed in Da Nang for “A Tourist’s Guide to Love” capture the city’s natural beauty and cultural significance. The film’s protagonist, Amanda, takes in the city’s stunning beaches, explores its historic sites, and immerses herself in its vibrant culture.

The coastal city of Da Nang boasts stunning beaches, historic sites, and a vibrant culture. Visitors can relax on My Khe Beach, a popular destination for swimming and sunbathing with crystal-clear waters and pristine white sand.

To be a paper lanterns vendor and boats men, you need to own a house nearby (which is really expensive). So they can actually be more asset rich than you do!

Visitors can take a cable car to Ba Na Hills, a mountain resort outside the city that offers stunning views of the surrounding countryside, including a French village and a theme park.

Amongst locals, Da nang is popular for its bridges. The Dragon bridge is the most prominent one with a fire performance 9pm every Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

For breathtaking views of the city and coastline, visitors can hike to the top of Son Tra Mountain and explore its many trails and viewpoints.