Why Hoi An should be your next destination
1. It is the Barcelona of Vietnam. Or at least that is one of the nicknames of this charming town. The reason for this nickname is that its ocher-colored alleys and craft shops on every corner are reminiscent of the old town of Barcelona.
two. But it also looks like Venice. And it does it for a wonderful reason: the silence of not allowing the circulation of cars and motorcycles. In a country where practically everyone rides a motorcycle, it is hopeful to find a place so quiet and little traveled.
The canals of Hoi An
3. Craft trades. But let's get to the practical stuff. Where else in the world has better tailors than Hoi An? Surely none, at least in terms of quality / price. With more than 400 native artisans It is a must destination for fashion freaks . If you have always wanted to have one of the Oscar or Berlinale suits, this is your place: they copy them perfectly and adapt them to your measurements.
Four. The experience of going to the dressmaker. It is not just about buying, but about experiencing first-hand the feeling of being a model. When is the last time your measurements were taken? If the answer is 'never', you can't let it go. The shoes are also made to measure, surrounding the perimeter of your foot with a pencil on a rubber that will become the sole. And all in record time.
Pure Vietnamese handmade fashion
5. For the lanterns. They fill the entire center with bright and intense colors that take the prominence away from the stars. As if it were a Christmas fair, but throughout the year. Strolling through its streets after eight o'clock has something magical, partly due to the intense smell of incense and spices in its streets.
6. For party nights. Don't expect loud music or big parties until dark, but rather times when all the lights go out and the streets are lit by candlelight, with artists and musicians filling the historic center with song. is the Hoi An Legendary Night and is celebrated once a month, with a full moon.
Party nights in Hoi An are unique
7. intercultural past. Like any commercial center worth its salt, Hoi An is used to receiving people from different cultures. This mixture is perceived in the architecture of the old town, with French-inspired houses who share land with oriental pagodas and temples . UNESCO had its eye on it in 1999 and proclaimed the old town World Heritage.
The temples in Hoi An follow one another at every step
8. romantic essence. Precisely this historic center and the setting next to the river are the delights of any couple in love. Or any couple in general. Because the plan could not be more bucolic: walk through alleys that transport us to the past , cross bridges over the river and get lost in the alleys of yesteryear. Sugar in vein.
This is how the days go by in Hoi An
9. Gastronomic ode. Full of shops and cafes, the city is an authentic open-air restaurant, with culinary proposals for all tastes. Stroll quietly through the alleys and you will discover food from all over the world, served on open-air terraces or with carts on the street. Forget diets and embrace new flavors, including mango cocktails and other exotic fruits you'll never learn the name of.
10. native food. There are two dishes typical of Hoi An: the spongy banh bao with prawns, popularly known as 'White Rose dumplings' -name given by the French because of its white rose appearance-, and the cao lau , some noodles served with pork and mint. It is said that the authentic ones are boiled with water from a secret well, and that the best ones are made at home by kneading the dough with your own hands.
eleven. Learn to cook. Have you always wanted to learn how to cook an Asian dish? This is your opportunity, because dozens of restaurants offer cooking classes (about 30 euros) in which you spend a whole day learning the secrets of Vietnamese cuisine. You first buy the ingredients at the local market and then learn cooking instructions from an expert chef. A most culinary souvenir.
Eating on the street, a must in Hoi An
12. Live history. This is the feeling we get after walking through the old city. Although it has an undeniably touristy point –sometimes bordering on the sensation of a theme park- the place is well worth it. They have set it up so that, with a single ticket, you can enter up to five of the downtown buildings, which include museums, merchant houses, pagodas and the essential Japanese Bridge. Like going back to the past.
13. Ceramic center. Among these museums, the pottery museum stands out, displaying very well-preserved objects of Japanese, Chinese and Vietnamese origin ranging from the 16th to the 18th century. Another option is to visit the Museum of Popular Culture, located in an impressive wooden house, and the Museum of History and Culture, which shows photographs and maps from other times.
14. Centennial houses. If you have to choose a house to visit, the answer is easy: go to the one in quan thang . Its walls have kept secrets for more than 150 years, being most of the time a merchant's house. Every detail of the interior is made by artisans from the surrounding area, respecting a Chinese air that reigns throughout the building.
Centennial houses and art galleries
fifteen. The tourist print. If there is a symbol that represents Hoi An, that is the 16th Century Japanese Bridge, that connects the Japanese neighborhood with Chinatown. Just below is supposed to be the heart of all of Asia – some say it is the heart of a strange dragon-like being – a legend that highlights the importance of the city as a center of trade in the area.
16th century Japanese bridge
16. Near the field. On the outskirts of Hoi An we find the typical fields of intense green, farmers wearing conical hats and people without helmets riding motorcycles. All the clichés of one of the most charming countries in Asia. In fact, one of the most requested plans is rent a motorcycle and visit the outskirts , discovering the small towns in the surroundings.
17. Hue is not that far away. And that is great news, because it is the second most beautiful city in Vietnam. An hour's drive away, the former imperial capital leaves anyone speechless. Emperors Minh Mang and Khai Dinh lived here, who built an impressive Citadel inspired by the Forbidden City in Beijing. A full-fledged travel must.
18. My Son is also nearby. This particular name refers to a set of seventy Hindu temples from the 4th to the 14th century dedicated to Shiva. Although many of them were destroyed during the Vietnam War, they still retain such a special aura that they are nicknamed "Little Angkor Wat" A perfect getaway to spend the day between the lantern nights of Hoi An.
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Hoi An countryside