Vietnam Day 9 : Co Chi Banh Mi Ga - Da Nang Cathedral - Public bus from Da Nang to Hoi An – An Bang Beach by bicycle

1000 – We went out to find special Banh Mi which named Banh Mi Ga. This Banh Mi put pork floss as that main ingredient. We cannot found it when we first use the MAPS.ME. There is no Co Chi name in Google Maps. The last source is the location that show by the Facebook location. At last, we finally found it. There is a coffee shop just beside.

Finally found the Co Chi stall

Banh Mi Ga, VND12k each

We walked to the Da Nang cathedral. We visited this cathedral because it was painted in pink only.

1130 – After check out from the room, we walked to the Le Duan to wait the public bus to the Hoi An. When we reached the bus stop, that is a lady asking whether we were going to Hoi An. She also said that the fee is VND40k/person. We had read a lot of scams of this public bus from Tripadvisor. Most of the foreigner will be charged higher fee than the local. We had tried to ask several Bus no.1 before get on.

Da Nang Cathedral

When the first bus came, the lady boarded the bus. When we asked the driver for the fee to the Hoi An. That lady seem like is the ticket fee collector and she wanted to collect the fee that she said. We also saw that the bus fee to Hoi An is VND16k which is stated just beside the outside of the bus front door, but we were not so sure as every word is written in Vietnamese. We refused to get on the bus. Then the lady offered us VND25k/person. We still refused to get on the bus.

Before the second bus come, there were other two foreigners. The second bus came after 20 minutes from the first bus. The two foreigners get on it even though they know that they will be charged higher but cheaper than taking the taxi as they said is VND300k to go to Hoi An. This lady collector said the fee to Hoi An is VND50k. But I insist to said the stated fee on the bus. Then she said that the fees number on the bus is added together. However, this is not logic as the fee add up is VND46k. Then we don’t want to get on it. The lady even said that there are only two buses to go to Hoi An in the morning sessions.

Before the third bus came, there was one Taiwanese coming to take this bus too. We waiting for the third bus just for another 15 minutes. When I get on the bus, I wanted to give the driver VND32k for two persons. But he don’t want to received and show fierce face. He offered the fee to the Taiwanese for VND30k. But we still didn’t get on the bus as we know the bus come almost every 20 minutes. The fee collector came back to find us after the bus moved for a distance and offered us the fee for VND20k/person. Finally, we boarded on the bus.

The bus stop at Le Duan Street

This is the third bus to Hoi An

In the bus, the collector didn’t speak any English and just show body language to me. He arranged us to sit the seat at the front row so as to separated us from the Taiwanese. We don’t dare to stare at the driver as he is very fierce.

1345 – After an hour journey, we reached the Hoi An Bus Station. The homestay that we booked just few hundred meters distance away from the bus station. Hence, we just walked to the homestay. It is Red Ceramics Homestay. The room that we booked is Budget double room but we were arranged to stay in a three double beds with private toilet room which is very spacious.

Our spacious room

1430 – We just simply had lunch around the Homestay. After that, we used free bicycles to the An Bang Beach. Along the route, the traffic is quite chaos. It is very challenging for her. She felt very scared especially when the vehicle horn. The road is very slippery too as it was raining. We cycled for 6km which took around half an hour to reach the beach.

Com Ga, VND30k. I think it is expensive at the local stall

Seafood Rice, VND30k

Riding to the beach

At the beach, the waves are very fierce too as it is monsoon changing season. There is “No swimming” sign too. Hence, we just took few photos on the beach. However, this beach cannot compare to the beach in Philippines as this sand is not fine and white.

Waves is very big!

Then we cycled back to the Hoi An Center. Since it was raining, we just find a restaurant to have a drink. We found that the Bon Restaurant have cheap meals especially the Cao Lao is only cost VND28k. Hence, we had dinner there too.

White Rose, VND35k

Cao Lao, VND28k

After dinner, we cycled back to the room and rest.

Our Expenses
Breakfast : VND50k
Bus : VND40k
Lunch : VND60k
Dinner : VND89k
Drink : VND10k

Accomodation : VND234.5k
TOTAL : VND483.5