KNOW BEFORE YOU GO:

HOI AN

Super-chill visa on arrival? fluid transfers? Awesome welcomes? Your lounger is waiting.

Planning the sensible stuff is essential but boring. Adding to the grief, in Vietnam, the crucial rules are always changing.

With this two-minute guide, we hope to fast forward you through the process from your armchair at home, through the airport, to your first bowl of pho

BASICS: BEFORE YOU LEAVE

• Check your passport will be valid (you need at least six-months and a page free).

• Apply for an E-Visa at least three days before you travel. Check your name matches your passport exactly.

• Organise your travel insurance - we recommend World Nomads.

• Grab your i-Phone or Android (you're going to be using 3G, a lot). Unlock it.

• Arm yourself with daily Hoi An eye candy and updates by joining us on Facebore, Instagran or be our number one fan on (seriously, we have none - could we tempt you with a few gratuitous Shiba Inu pics..) Google!

• Download the Grab Taxi and for weather Windytv apps and for on-the-go secure WiFi, a free VPN like Tunnel Bear.

• Print out your E-Visa.

• Make a note of the name, address and phone number of your hotel.

• Book a ride from the airport (you know it makes sense).

AT THE AIRPORT

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• Collect luggage, freshen-up.

• Go to the Mobifone desk and buy a sim card with data plan (120,000d - 600MB or 150,000d - 1GB). Get staff at the desk to activate it, set it to English and switch off promotional text messages.

• Pick-up a Coast Vietnam Hoi An Travel Guide and map from the desk to the right of the exit.

• Stuff your pockets full of Dong. You'll find an exchange desk and several ATMs outside the main exit.

• Say 'Xin Chao' to your driver. Tell him your age, marital status, a rough headcount of any children, where you are from and which football team you support. Refuse kind offers to stop at a marble/tailor shop.

• Offer the phone number of your hotel when he gets lost. 

• Tip if he doesn't.

GO PRO!

FOR WHEN YOU ARE HERE, DEAR