Joanna James
As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Hoi An is a well-preserved historic town. Centrally located in Vietnam at the banks of the Thu Bon River, the town is an exciting blend of traditions, vintage architecture, and South Asian ways of life. Here are the best experiences to savour in Hoi An, Vietnam.
If you love exploring historical towns, Hoi An will certainly interest you. Exploring the Old Town is one of the top things to do in Hoi An, as it's one of South Asia's best-preserved vintage quarters, home to iconic relics from the 15th and 16th centuries. Walking around the Old Quarter is like stepping through a time portal; it's a beautiful mix of French, Japanese, and Chinese cultures reflected in the buildings, popular landmarks, and traditions that highlight Hoi An's rich heritage and outside influences that shaped it. Made up of quaint shops, bustling markets, traditional restaurants, and famous landmarks, Hoi An Old Town is the kind of place you experience over several days.
There is nothing more exciting than visiting a night market in Southeast Asia, and Hoi An's night market is one of the best. If you are staying at local hotels that offer easy access to the town, such as Anantara Hoi An Resort, located 9 minutes from the market, make sure you don't miss out on the fabulous experience. Open from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., the market is a bustling hive of activity where you can shop for a wide array of products, from local handicrafts to traditional Vietnamese lanterns. Make sure to explore the street food too, for a taste of authentic bites.
There is no doubt that you will fall in love with the range of traditional dishes available in Hoi An, so go ahead and enrol yourself in a cookery class, one of the more popular activities in Hoi An. Cookery classes offer a comprehensive journey into Vietnamese cooking methods, starting with a market visit to gather ingredients. Places like Spice Spoons and others in Hoi An are popular cookery class choices for learning about and incorporating Chinese and French culinary influences in Vietnamese dishes from a personal chef.
Hoi An is famous for its collection of talented tailors, practising traditional methods to stitch clothes to perfection, often within a few hours. Visit the row of tailor shops in town, and you can ask them to create a gown or a full suit, tailor-made to fit you perfectly. The tailors are fast workers and highly skilled, which means your clothes will be ready within 24 hours, or less. Just make sure to ask around for recommendations from your resort in Hoi An to make sure the tailor you pick is reputable and talented.
You will notice that cycles are the favourite mode of transport in Hoi An; hence, Hoi An resorts offer guests a choice of bicycles to rent and explore the surrounding countryside. It's a therapeutic experience where the tranquillity and beauty of the countryside will engulf you as you pedal your way past lush fields, the pretty banks of the Thu Bon River, and through the charming village. Bicycles are also ideal for exploring the old town, as most parts of Hoi An are pedestrianised and can be accessed by walking or on a cycle.
A true believer that the pen is a mighty weapon, ventures into reaching the minds of every reader with the earnest hope of leaving an indelible stream of thought.
A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
