Oh Hoi An, how I love thee. This pretty city, seemingly too charming to be real is the place you see in your daydreams when you think of Vietnam. It’s one of my favorite cities and a must visit for the sheer beauty, vibrancy, history, food and friendliness of the people who live here.

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It’s hard not to pop into every little shop to delight over the array of crafts made here and every café and restaurant wafting sensational aromas under your nose as you pass. The food is so good it will make you sigh and the old architecture is well preserved. You can take a boat ride on the river and release “special wish” candles on the water, bike through rice paddies in the countryside or try out one of the region’s delectable cooking classes…

The Magical Hoi An

Hoi An is hard to describe, it really is a sensory overload with sights, sounds, and smells. It’s hard to compare with anywhere else. It only took me one evening to fall in love with Hoi An. This place is magical!

The Town was once a major southeast Asian trading post in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. It has been successful in preserving and restoring its charming roots and was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in December 1999. Hoi An was the first place in Vietnam to be exposed to Christianity.

“Hoi An” means “peaceful meeting place” and boy, does it live up to its name! From wandering the narrow streets of the ancient town, from dozens maybe hundreds of clothing and shoe shops where you can get everything tailor-made to size by the next day! Tailors are around every corner and seem to be the ‘thing’ here. Getting a couple customized outfits was awesome, coming from a girl who always had trouble with clothing fitting my body type properly.  It is affordable, and the patterns/styles are endless!

TIP: Buy Lonely Planet’s travel Guide to Vietnam and you’ll always have all the information you need right at hand! Maps, sights, public transport, restaurants, hotels etc. It’s a comprehensive guide and a great travel companion.

The Beauty of Hoi An

Hoi An is an incredibly picturesque town, make sure you bring your camera! This place is every photographers dream. It is one of the most photogenic and laid-back place I have been in Vietnam and for good reasons. The incredible ancient architecture can be seen all over within its buildings, and the vibrant blues and yellows of this towns walls will imprint a memory of this place that cannot be forgotten.

Silk lanterns are everywhere and make the town look beautiful. As the evening falls the town gets really busy and crowded. In the evening the entire ancient town lights up with the Chinese lanterns making it very bright and colorful. It is buzzing with tourists and locals trying to make some money.

TIP: Remember to haggle for everything. Prices are hiked and are often reduced by half if you start walking away.

The lanterns hold a deeper meaning to the locals; they believe that hanging lanterns in front of their houses will bring luck, happiness, and wealth to the family. Pretty cool, hey! Evening walks in the ancient town and along the river is beautiful. It is easy to walk around with no taxis or cars allowed inside the ancient town. It’s charismatic and beautiful with ancient houses that has been converted to restaurants and cafes.

What to do in Hoi an – Jack Tran Tours

Don’t miss out on the local Vietnamese fishing family-run business, Jack Tran tours! This trip was one of my all-time favorite memories!

Experience first-hand the authentic daily lives of local fishing and farming communities around Hoi An. I enjoyed every moment of the day, from the cycling along the scenic country roads through the rice fields, to a local farming village to work alongside farmers hoeing and tending the soil, watering and planting organic vegetables, riding the huge but gentle water buffalo through the rice paddies. Now that was something to remember!

Then take a boat to the mouth of the river where it meets the Cu Dai Sea and join fishermen who employ traditional round-nets and cast-nets to fish. I loved this part! Growing up on the water and always fishing, it was amazing to see the fisherman’s daily life.

Learn to paddle a tightly woven bamboo basket boat, known locally as Thung Chai. The origami’s made with the water leaves was a lovely touch and so fun! You’ll hear about extreme conditions endured here by soldiers who fought on both sides of the Vietnam War (American War) that raged for two decades.

The lunch on board the boat was delicious, and we sampled many Vietnamese dishes like spring rolls and stuffed squid. This tour is an excellent way to experience the life of fishermen and farmers in the Vietnamese countryside. The guide’s name was Yen, and she was EXCEPTIONAL! She spoke excellent English and was knowledgeable and enthusiastic throughout the day. She always made sure we were comfortable, enjoying ourselves and helped take great photos of us. Thank you, Yen!

My Son Sanctuary

My Son is regarded as one of the oldest Hindu temple complexes in Southeast Asia and is a unique place in Vietnam. It has been referred to as the Angkor Wat of Vietnam but if you’ve been to Cambodia already, you might be disappointed. It is still a site well worth seeing as the ruins are an important part of Vietnam’s history both religiously and culturally as they were the main sites of the Champa Kingdom.

Book an early morning tour! The drive is quite far, and it gets very warm throughout the day.

TIP: Buy Lonely Planet’s travel guide to Vietnam and you’ll always have all the information you need right at hand! Maps, sights, public transport, restaurants, hotels etc. It’s a comprehensive guide and a great travel companion.

Useful Links to Hoi An

8 Fun Things to do in Hoi An – Two Wandering Soles

A Mini Guide to Hoi An, Vietnam – Goats on the Road

The Digital Nomads Guide to Hoi An, Vietnam – Nomadasaurus

11 Things to do in Hoi an, Vietnam – Taylor’s Tracks

The First-Timers Travel Guide to Hoi An, Vietnam – Will Fly For Food

7 Awesome Things to do in Hoi An, Vietnam – Salt in our Hair

Your Rough Guide to Hoi An – Christina’s Blog

Hoi An, Vietnam in 3 Days: The Perfect Itinerary – Just Globetrotting

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