Family Treasure Hunt in Hoi An | My Honest Review

I recently tried a treasure hunt in the old town of Hoi An, which you can play directly on your phone. Created by a local enthusiast, it immerses you in a fun investigation where you have to help Grandpa Faifoo find his lost treasure.

The concept is simple: walk around, observe, solve riddles… and move step by step through the historic center. Everything is completely self-guided, and it’s really well designed.

It’s original, entertaining, and above all, perfect for families: kids get totally into the game, adults never get bored, and you discover Hoi An with fresh eyes. An excellent alternative to traditional tours.

What is the Grandpa Faifoo Treasure Hunt?

Grandpa Faifoo is a fictional old grandpa from Hoi An, a bit grumpy but clever who lost his treasure somewhere in the ancient town. And guess what? It’s up to you to help him find it, solving his riddles one by one.

The concept: an interactive trail you follow on your phone, with no app to install and no guide required. Each riddle leads you to a real location: an old well, a forgotten facade, an engraved symbol, or a hidden wooden temple. You need to observe, think, sometimes take a photo, or guess a word. And above all, you move at your own pace, in total freedom.

The interface is smooth and intuitive, and everything works from a simple web browser. No need to be a tech expert, even kids can play easily. In total, 25 riddles are scattered throughout the old town, with a point system, a touch of humor, and some clever surprises.

My Experience with the Grandpa Faifoo Treasure Hunt

I tried the treasure hunt on a weekday morning to avoid the crowds. Once I received the link by email after purchase, I entered an activation code (valid for 48 hours), and the game launched instantly in the browser. The interface is clear: a map appears with 25 points, each one matching a riddle you have to solve on the spot.

You have to physically go to each location, observe the details around you, look closely, and then answer. If you’re at the right spot, the riddle unlocks, you tap on it… and the challenge begins.

Some riddles are really clever: spotting a wooden house, finding a carved symbol, piecing together a word on an old sign… There are also multiple-choice questions, photos to take, and even little comments from Grandpa Faifoo at each step. It’s clear that the main goal is to have fun, not to learn a history lesson.

My three-and-a-half-year-old son even managed to solve a few riddles with me, especially the ones where you have to spot something visual. It’s definitely a game designed for families, where kids can participate actively, even if they can’t read yet.

To access the treasure, you need to collect at least 200 points (I got 218 out of 220) and find a secret phrase linked to a specific location to get the final code.

I finished the game in just over an hour, but I know Hoi An like the back of my hand. If you’re new to the city, plan for about 1.5 hours, that’s more realistic. You can go at your own pace, take an ice cream or coffee break whenever you want. The whole experience is smooth, enjoyable, and never boring.

✅ What I Liked

• You really have to observe: spotting a particular house, a hidden symbol, a sign in French… You explore with your eyes.
• You walk: no cheating possible, you physically have to go to each place. It makes the hunt immersive.
• Grandpa Faifoo’s tone: teasing but friendly, with witty remarks. It makes you smile without being over the top.
• Good balance in the riddles: some are easy for kids, others require more thinking. Overall, it’s well balanced.
• No app to install: everything happens in the browser. No sign-up, no bugs, no ads. Perfect.
• A homemade game: you can feel it’s local, thoughtfully designed, not a clickbait factory.

❌ What I Liked Less

• Some locations get crowded during the day, which can spoil the experience a bit. It’s better to play in the morning.
• A few riddles are a bit too hard for the youngest if they play alone. An adult needs to accompany them, which is normal for a family activity.

Useful Information

• Price:  • $10 for 1 phone  • $15 for 2 phones
• Activation code valid for 48 hours
• Approximate duration: 1.5 to 2 hours, depending on your pace and curiosity
• Languages available: French & English
• Required: A charged phone and an internet connection
• Recommended for: Families, children from 6–7 years old, and anyone interested in local heritage
• Link to book or start: Visit the Grandpa Faifoo Treasure Hunt website

My Review

Honestly, it’s really well done. Grandpa Faifoo’s tone is just the right amount of playful, and some of the riddles even surprised me, even though I know the town well.

I loved the variety: multiple-choice questions, observation, photos, guessing letters… It keeps kids motivated and also entertains adults. Everything runs directly in the browser, with no app to install, and you can pause whenever you want.

For the price, it’s definitely worth it, especially if you play together on one phone. It’s a local, original, and well-designed activity, perfect for a family morning in Hoi An.