Forget Bangkok, if you want a tailored suit or custom made clothing, head to the beautiful Vietnamese town of Hoi An, with its picturesque river and quaint yellow houses for an altogether more relaxing experience.
Everything runs at a much slower pace in this quaint little town on the Vietnamese coast. Hoi An oozes character and the pedestrianised town centre is listed as a UNESCO Heritage site. Since no cars are allowed here, it’s the perfect place to rent a bike and explore on your own. Hoi An is jam-packed with tailors and fabric shops- a heaven for fashionistas looking for tailor made clothing. But there’s more to this town than just shopping- you’ll find Vietnamese cookery schools, Japanese bridges, temples, historic houses and a beautiful beach only 5 kilometres away.
Here’s our guide to Hoi An Vietnam for all your fashionistas out there!
Stay
The Thien Thanh Boutique Hotel is a small hotel situated right in the centre of town next to the world heritage ancient quarter, making it a great base for exploring the sights of Hoi An. Providing comfortable rooms with unique decor and beautiful views of the surrounding rice fields, this hotel has a relaxing and somewhat homely vibe. Each morning you can enjoy complimentary breakfast with a view on the breakfast deck, and there is free Wi-Fi access throughout the property.
Eat
In the daytime make sure you head to the market to sample some of the local Vietnamese foods. For dinner, we recommend Morning Glory, although be prepared for a wait. This incredibly popular restaurant serves mouthwatering Vietnamese cuisine and you can watch it all being prepared in the open kitchen. If you want to learn how to make yummy Vietnamese dishes yourself, sign up for their cooking class taught by chef Ms Vy- a third generation chef and native of Hoi An.
Drink
If you’re lucky enough to visit on the full moon, you’ll see the town transformed into a magical world of silk lanterns, with song and dance performed in the streets.
Even if you don’t make it for full moon, Hoi An still has plenty to keep you entertained of an evening. Cross the bridge to the other side of the river and you’ll find numerous bars to enjoy a cocktail or two. Popular haunts in the old town include White Marble, Then and Now, Q Bar, Tam Tam and Mango Rooms.
Visit
You can buy a ticket for all of Hoi An’s major attractions for 90,000 Dong ($5). This gets you access to the Japanese Bridge, a temple, various museums and old houses.
Check out Phung Hung House, one of the best known pieces of architecture in Hoi An, located across the Japanese Bridge. This two story wooden house was built in 1780 and has been inhabited by eight generations.
Beach
Rent a bicycle or take a taxi to Hoi An beach. Lay back on a sun lounger, crack open a Saigon Beer and cool off in the ocean. Bliss!
