“Sometimes, the journey doesn’t begin the way we imagined—but it unfolds exactly the way we need.”
Arrival in Vietnam: From Manila to Da Nang ✈️
Finally, my long-awaited trip to Hoi An, Vietnam, happened—despite the odds. I flew from Manila and landed safely at Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City on a red-eye flight. I was already exhausted, and the turbulence didn’t help, but I was just relieved to be on the ground.
Although June is not Vietnam’s peak rainy season, a sudden storm greeted my arrival, with heavy rain affecting some parts of Da Nang and making travel a bit tricky. This unexpected weather would shape my first day in Hoi An—but in a way that made the experience even more memorable.
Immigration took longer than expected, but I eventually made it through. One of the smartest things I did? Withdrawing Vietnamese dong at the airport. One of the not-so-smart decisions? Skipping the local SIM card. Lesson learned.
With a few hours to spare before my connecting flight, I made my way to the domestic terminal and grabbed coffee and a banh mi from Highlands Coffee—my first taste of Vietnam on this trip.
At 6 AM, I boarded my VietJet flight to Da Nang. The gloomy skies already hinted at what was coming. What should’ve been a smooth one-hour flight stretched into an hour and a half due to rough weather. Still, I was grateful—we landed safely.
A Rainy Welcome to Hoi An 🌧️
By the time I arrived in Da Nang, the skies had fully opened.
I had pre-booked a shared shuttle via Klook, and a driver from Barri Ann Travels picked me up at the airport. The journey to Hoi An took about an hour. At first, I thought I had the vehicle to myself—until I noticed another quiet passenger seated at the back.
When we reached Hoi An, I struggled to find my hostel. It was tucked away in a narrow alley, and with the rain pouring down, I completely missed the signage. By the time I arrived at the front desk, I was soaked.
Thankfully, the receptionist was incredibly kind and spoke excellent English. She handed me a towel and allowed me to check in early. My female dorm had a private bathroom—clean, cozy, and exactly what I needed after a chaotic arrival.
First Meal in Hoi An: A Riverside Surprise 🍜
I tried to get some rest, but between the excitement and the steady rhythm of rain outside, sleep just wouldn’t come.
So I decided to head out and find food.
I stumbled upon a riverside spot—Riverside Hoi An – Dolphin Hostel and Bar—and ordered prawn noodle soup along with my first-ever Vietnamese egg coffee. It was rich, comforting, and exactly what I needed.
Sitting there, watching the river flow while rain tapped gently around me, I realized something: sometimes, the best travel moments aren’t planned—they’re discovered.
Exploring Hoi An Old Town in the Rain (Hoi An Travel Guide) 🏮
Originally, I had imagined exploring Hoi An under a sky full of stars, lanterns glowing warmly in the night.
Instead, I found myself walking through the Old Town in the middle of a downpour.
And yet… it was still beautiful.
Despite the weather, I wasn’t alone. Dozens of travelers walked alongside me, umbrellas in hand, equally determined to experience Hoi An—rain or shine.
There’s something quietly magical about a historic town in the rain:
- Lanterns glowing softly under grey skies
- Reflections shimmering on wet cobblestones
- The steady rhythm of footsteps blending with raindrops
Hoi An looked like a living watercolor—umbrellas blooming like flowers against yellow walls and moss-covered tiles.
Sometimes, the rain doesn’t ruin the experience—it transforms it.
I spent about an hour wandering through the streets, taking photos and admiring charming cafés and heritage buildings. Before heading back, I stopped for seafood fried rice at a nearby restaurant (VND 140,000—not bad at all).
💡 Travel Tips for Visiting Hoi An in the Rain
If you find yourself in Hoi An during sudden storms or unexpected rain, here are a few practical tips from my experience:
- Bring waterproof protection
I was lucky to have bought an umbrella—but I ended up losing it at the hostel a day before my flight back to Da Nang (goodbye, umbrella 😅). I also kept my passport in a Ziploc pouch, which turned out to be a lifesaver. - Book accommodation near Old Town
My hostel was just a short walk from Hoi An Old Town, which made exploring manageable even in the rain. Staying nearby saves you from long, uncomfortable walks during heavy downpours. - Don’t skip exploring
Rain gives Hoi An a completely different atmosphere. The lanterns, reflections, and quiet streets create a unique kind of charm you won’t see on sunny days. - Buy a local SIM card at the airport
This makes navigation much easier, especially when you’re trying to find hidden alleys or your accommodation. I skipped this—and definitely learned my lesson. - Expect delays during bad weather
Flights can take longer than expected. My flight from Tan Son Nhat Airport to Da Nang was delayed and stretched to almost an hour and a half due to heavy rain.
Quick Travel Costs (Day 1 in Hoi An) 💸
Here’s a rough breakdown of my expenses:
- Coffee + banh mi at the airport: ~VND 100,000
- Da Nang to Hoi An shuttle (Klook): ~VND 150,000–200,000
- Prawn noodles + egg coffee: ~VND 120,000
- Seafood fried rice: VND 140,000
Prices may vary depending on season and location.
Delayed But Not Denied: A Personal Reflection 🤍
When I dreamed of Hoi An, I imagined a lantern-lit fairytale—warm lights dancing on the river and peaceful evening strolls under the stars.
But life had other plans.
My arrival was met with heavy rain, flooded streets, and skies painted in shades of grey. It wasn’t the storybook beginning I had envisioned.
But it was real. And it was mine.
That night, as the rain continued to fall, I lay in bed reflecting. The storm tried to disrupt my plans—but it didn’t take away the experience.
Travel isn’t always perfect. Plans unravel. Weather shifts. Small mistakes—like forgetting to buy a SIM card—turn into bigger inconveniences.
But choosing to move forward, to adapt, and to still find meaning in the moment—that’s where the real journey happens.
I didn’t just arrive in Hoi An.
I grew in it.
Turning “what went wrong” into “what made this moment mine” is how stories gain their soul. And maybe that’s what travel is really about—not perfection, but perspective.
This blog post is part of my Vietnam–Thailand 2025 Solo Travel Series. I traveled from June 12 to 16, 2025, and wrote this while resting in my hotel room in Hoi An, listening to the rain as it shaped the beginning of my journey.
