Three Nights in Hoi An

Like many cities is Northern Vietnam I found Hoi An to have a French/European charm to it.  It has plenty to do but has a laid back feel.  It is very touristy but is not overwhelming or overdeveloped. There is a large backpacker scene but many of the tourists were older couples on a nice vacation. Similarly to Sapa, when I walked around town I didn't necessarily feel like I was in Vietnam.

 

Our hotel had a pool next to the breakfast tables

Hoi An is very well known for its food (which I obviously enjoyed thoroughly.)  There is a little bit of everything:   A big outdoor market, cheap street food stalls, traditional Vietnamese restaurants and  trendy "western" restaurants.  

The market

Biggest coconut ever.

Anthony Bourdain claims this food stands serves the best Ban Mhi in Vietnam and we'd have to agree

Three local specialities: bahn bao (‘white rose’); Cau Lao; fried hoanh thanh (won ton)

A four course feast on our last night

While the food is a highlight of Hoi An, the main attraction are the custom tailor shops that line almost every street in town. We were first apprehensive about getting clothes made but had heard so many good reviews we decided we'd have to make a few purchases.  The whole process was a bit overwhelming: first having to choose which tailor to use (there are probably a few hundred options), then choosing what you want made, then choosing the fabric, then going to at least two fittings... Basically I realized that shopping is not my favorite activity.  One of the most common things to get made are suits, and since Andrew will most likely be needing a few good suits for his future law career, he decided to get two made. In total, Andrew got 2 suits, 4 shirts, 2 ties, 2 pocket squares and a pair of shoes.  I got a pea coat and bathing suit.  Everything came out very well and cost a quarter of what it could cost in the US. 

Picking out fabrics

Initial measurements

Fitting number one

Fitting number 2

Hoi An was HOT-- maybe even our hottest city yet.  Luckily we were a 5 minute motorbike ride away from he beech which had a nice ocean breeze to cool  us down.  We spent two of our afternoons lounging on the beach after tiring mornings of shopping (tough life).  During the day the beach was quiet and empty but when I awoke from my nap around 5:00pm there were hoards of local families pouring onto the beach and into the water for an afternoon picnic and swim.  It was a really cool thing to see--the whole town seemed to have daily community dinners/ get togethers at the beach.

Killing it on the motorbike 

Overall Hoi An exceeded my expectations.  It pleased all of the senses and I probably could have stayed a day or two longer.