QUẢNG NAM — Visitors to the ancient city of Hội An have the chance to stay at a homestay, which not only offers inexpensive accommodation but also shows how locals really live.

Homestay guests are treated like a member of the host family. They may have to wake up early in the morning to help the family prepare breakfast, usually Mì Quảng (local-style noodles), Cao Lầu (noodles with roasted pork) or steamed sticky rice. They may be asked to help out in the garden later where they can learn how to identify various herbs and vegetables used in Vietnamese cooking, and how to grow them.

After breakfast, guests can accompany the host mother on a trip to the local market. At the market, a myriad of colours and smells assault the senses, with the host showing the guest how to pick the freshest produce and how to bargain down the price.