It was a short flight from Hanoi to Da Nang and then a 45 minutes coach trip to our hotel in Hội An.

Hội An is a city on Vietnam’s central coast known for its well-preserved Ancient Town, cut through with canals. The former port city’s melting-pot history is reflected in its architecture, a mix of eras and styles from wooden Chinese shop houses and temples to colorful French colonial buildings, ornate Vietnamese tube houses and the iconic Japanese Covered Bridge with its pagoda. This landmark 18th-century wooden bridge features elaborate carvings and  a pedestrian passageway.

After all the hustles and bustles of Hanoi, Hội An provided a totally refreshing and contrasting experience of Vietnam.

Our hotel was only a short tuktuk or taxi ride from the Old Town or about a 15 min walk. This beautiful UNESCO World Heritage old town offers so  much to see.  It is definitely worth paying the small fee to enter specific homes and Assembly Halls, many dating from the 16th and 17th Centuries.

From the first time we crossed the Japanese bridge to go into Ancient Town we loved it.  So much history and it’s absolutely gorgeous!!

Hội An is small enough to walk the streets and explore the many shops selling souvenirs and clothing or have clothes or shoes made in a couple of days. Hội An is the place in Vietnam to have clothes made.  Just take in a piece of clothing that you would like duplicated and it will be made in 48 hours, or, have something designed and made especially for you.

There are plenty of chic little cafes to cool your heels or have an inexpensive local meal. But Hội An by the river in the early evening is a sight to behold, with endless strings of colourful lanterns hanging on both sides of the river, up high along the streets and outside every single restaurant.

Almost all restaurants have tables on the second floor terraces overlooking the river, so try get there early, have a cocktail and take in the uniquely romantic settings of this world heritage city at its best in sunset. It’s almost fairy-tale like at night with all the pretty lanterns hanging in the streets and the candles floating on the water.  Check out the night markets or walk along the river, or do it all. I could easily stay in Hội An for a couple of weeks, to try a different restaurant on the waterfront each evening, to have a daily massage, bike ride and take in the happiness and tranquility of this divine town.

 

Hội An is one of the most beautiful cities in Vietnam and well worth a visit.

We loved Hội An and even though we had 3 nights it wasn’t enough to discover all the areas and things to do.