Vietnam
Hoi An
Hoi An is dreamy, oozing charm, very relaxed vibe! I’m in love just wished others didn’t know about it. HCMC crowded but with locals while Hoi An particularly late afternoon crazy crowded with tourist. Lots of beautiful lanterns, restaurants with ambience, spas, and clothing stores. Easy access to the countryside and the beach. Definently one of our favorite cities to visit in Vietnam.
3 days (good amount of time)
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Day 1: Tailor, Old Town
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Day 2: Biking through countryside to beach
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Day 3: Coconut village, Cooking class
Hotel: Cozy A Boutique Hotel Hoi An - good location, large room, friendly staff, good breakfast, pool, free bikes
Favorite restaurant or bar: An Thoi
Day 1: Transfer day
Easy transfer by plane. Long security line but moved quickly. Had a car waiting for us which we arranged with the hotel for the quick 45-minute drive from Da Nang to Hoi An. Would have been easy to take an Uber as well.
First stop for us after checking in was going to a tailor - Tailor 45. My daughter found it on Instagram. Happy with the end product but there are many options. Kids getting clothes. Very friendly. Tough negotiations. First fitting tomorrow afternoon. Leave yourself lots of time in your schedule to go back for fittings.
Wondered through old town.
Massage options every where
Had a drink on a rooftop. Find any rooftop to watch the sunset and the lanterns on the buildings and river boats glow as it is truly spectacular
Dinner at An Thoi restaurant across the street from the night market. Had about a 30 minute wait but worth it. Food the best we have had.
Looking forward tomorrow night to having dinner at one of the many charming restaurants along the river at an outside table.
HOTEL: Cozy A Boutique Hotel Hoian (Breakfast included). Good location- About a 13 minute walk to old town. Fairly large room and bathroom. Very friendly staff. Comfortable lobby and small pool area to hang out. Complimentary bikes. Bountiful buffet.
Day 2: Country side / Beach
First stop coffee at Roving Chill House.
Loved seeing the workers in the field as we rode by
Rode through Thu vegetable village. Saw quite a few water buffalo roaming around as this time of year they are given a rest.
Final stop Ah Bang beach. The water was colder than we anticipated.
Stopped for lunch at Soul Kitchen. Table overlooking the beach
Back in town did first fitting of clothes. Walked around the endless stores
and stopped for a craft beer at x. They had a lovely back patio.
Dinner at Secret Garden.
Then we bought our lanterns from a warm lady that had her shop in her entry way of her house. We love our lanterns they look beautiful in our house and folded up for easy travel transport.
Day 3: Cooking class and more fittings
Started the day with a shampoo (basic) - $10. Newest addition to the spa services. My daughter wasn’t crazy about it as they didn’t condition her hair. Washed our face, shampooed hair and blow dried it.
Back to tailor for another fitting. Lunch at Thai Kitchen. Very good. Followed by Matcha at Ren Rua
Rest of the afternoon was our Cooking class which we would highly recommend. First we visited a market to understand where locals get their food.
Next up a boat ride in Coconut village. Definitely touristy but enjoyable for the 30 mins
Cooking class was hands on. Everything was delicious. It was nice as we cooked, ate a little, and cooked more …
Back to the tailor again for pick up followed by our last wander through this picturesque magical town.
