We arrived in Hoi An late at night but already the temperature was significantly higher than Halong Bay and Hanoi.. hopefully our few days at the beach would be sunny! Next morning it was warm but overcast.. we checked out the resort (Hoi An Boutique Resort) which is really nice and spent the morning at the beach.
In the afternoon we decided to explore Hoi An old town. The old town is 5km away and the hotel had a free shuttle so it was easy peasy! We walked around the streets which are full of brightly coloured lanterns hanging everywhere. There are lots of shops, spas, bars and restaurants but the pace is easy going and relaxed. We did some nice shopping and had friendly chats with the shopkeepers, even when we were bargaining! I really like the people here, they seem very genuine and maybe they were a bit bored but they were loving to have a little chat.
There are also lots of tourists going around, usually in a convoy, on these:
Hoi An is the place to have clothes tailored so I decided I could do with another couple of dresses!! It was a whole new experience to chose fabric and then work with someone to finalise a design. I got measured and told there’d be 2 more fittings all within 24 hours.. very exciting stuff.
We had a great meal at a really cool restaurant recommended to us called Ms Vys Marketplace. It was this huge open space with benches and lots of different stalls around the edge cooking different types of food. The menu was a large touchscreen tablet in a wooden casing. We tried a number of small plates so we could taste different things. I got my pork bun which I’d been craving and we had some very nice cocktails!
We toyed with the idea of doing another tour as there’s a temple an hour away (My Son) that would have been a good visit but then decided we’d just relax and have some nice downtime. So day two was spent by the pool and the beach in the morning and exploring the old town in the afternoon.
There are lots of historical buildings to see around the old town. The Assembly Hall:
Japanese Bridge
But the best thing to do is just walk around the town and see the lanterns:
The lanterns look amazing at night but the photo doesn’t quite capture the colours. We had the final fitting and collected my dress (ok dresses!) and had another great meal in a restaurant called Home Hoi An.
Oh I nearly forgot earlier in the day I had the best banh mi sandwich.. for 20,000 VND ($1). The momma collects the money and there’s no messing (a bit like Seinfelds soup nazi).. it was quite an experience…
The town has so many shops with stuff that I just wanted to buy.. I bought way more than I should have and just hope I can fit it all in to get home!!
On our last day (well half day as we had a pickup for the airport at 2:30) it was lashing rain and very windy. So much for my idea of lazing by the pool for the morning instead I decided to hit the gym which I hadn’t bothered doing for the whole time I’d been away (37 days!) and then go to the spa for a massage and pedicure. The rest of the time I’d need to pack so maybe it was just as well it rained.
Next stop Saigon….
odohertyelaine 