Han Huyen Homestay

This was my first trip to Vietnam and I didn’t even know what a “homestay” was, but I knew that I didn’t want to stay in some modern high-rise (I don’t think they even have those in central Hoi An). Fortunately for me, I stumbled upon Han Huyen Homestay and I’m very happy that I did. It’s a perfectly charming and inexpensive alternative that I found to be quite ideal. It’s owned and operated by a lovely live-in family, who couldn’t have been more welcoming and attentive to my needs. It felt like a sweet little boutique hotel, but with a family touch. Mine was a large room with a king-sized bed, quiet (sure, there’s the occasional barking dog and crowing rooster, but this is Southeast Asia. They go with the territory), comfortable, and squeaky clean. I really liked the shower and the wifi connection, two things that can be a little sketchy in similarly inexpensive places, but they were great at Han Huyen. It’s located on a lovely little back street, where kids play in the street and families gather. It’s far enough away from the bars and restaurants along the river that you can’t even hear them (there is the occasional wedding, of course, but you can hear those from miles away, it seems). At the same time, it’s within a five-minute walk of the Ancient City and the magic of the nightly lantern boat spectacle. The night market is also just a couple of blocks away. I found the location to be ideal, and the family is very sweet. I highly recommend Han Huyen Homestay. It’s a gem.