Published:  11:40 Tuesday - June 06, 2017

The US’s travel website Thrillist has officially listed Vietnam’s Hoi An City among the top twelve of the most beautiful, cheap beach cities in the world.

According to Thrillist, Hoi An is not only bordered on one side by spectacular green mountains, it's also just a hop, skip and a jump from spectacular stretches of sand you'll largely have to yourself. The city’s monthly cost of living is from US$550 to US$1,100.

The old city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and you can get a house or apartment for as little as US$300 a month, up to US$500 for an up-market one, with all mod cons included. To fully experience the area your best bet is to rent a motorbike (about US$45 a month).

The city was ranked third on the list of destinations. Thrillist’s top 12 destinations include the Algarve, Portugal; Cartagena, Colombia; Hoi An, Vietnam; Taghazout, Morocco; Canggu, Bali; Split, Croatia; Gulfport, Mississippi; Las Terrenas, Dominican Republic; San Pancho, Mexico; Koh Phi Phi, Thailand; Granada, Nicaragua and Las Palmas, Gran Canaria, Spain.

Earlier, the city had also been listed as one of top ten best cities to visit in Asia, by website Smarter Travel. Hoi An was ranked 8th in the list and described as: “A UNESCO world heritage Site - Hoi An ancient town remains a trading port, just as it was from the 15th to 19th centuries, as it thrived during the spice trade. The fact that it's so well-preserved attracts foreigners, who flock to see the poster child for traditional Southeast Asian ports. One-time merchant homes represent Vietnamese, Japanese, and Chinese styles and are now a mix of antique shops, eateries, and galleries.

Wander among the canals and bridges, including the Japanese Covered Bridge, first built in the 1590s by the Japanese to connect them with the Chinese community. The river is a hub of activity, providing activities such as boat rides, fishing-like-a-local lessons, and al fresco dining. Or take a visit to the nearby beaches and islands. For the fashionable set, Hoi An is known for its tailors—it's home to hundreds of them—who can make you a custom-made coat or dress simply by looking at a photograph.

If you can plan your visit on the 14th day of a lunar month, you'll get to experience Hoi An aglow with traditional colored lanterns, as the town shuts off its electric lights and closes it’s streets to motorized vehicles. The lantern festival offers a glimpse at what life was like hundreds of years ago.”

NDO