Relax in Hội An
When you first arrive in Hoi An you will be struck by the sun-washed colours of this historic city. From the yellow stone buildings that adorn this ancient town to the vibrant lanterns that hang from them to that cool blue sea as the backdrop, its a city that invites you in. A stroll through this town and it's beautifully preserved buildings will reveal much about Vietnam itself. Famous for its food and its tailoring, it is one of the country’s most tourist-friendly cities, but don't think for one minute it has lost any of its authenticity.
A colourful history.
Hoi An’s history is the history of Vietnam. Originally under the control of the Cham Kingdom from the 7th and 10th centuries. It was the commercial port for their empire and it is at this time that the nearby Hindu temples My Son were built. Due to its central nature and easy access to the oceans many people arrived here, traders from China, Japan, and Europe used this port to do much of their business. The last major settlement was from the Vietnamese who populated the area during the Nguyen Dynasty (1802–1945). Hoi An’s influence as a major trading port fell away as political and economic factors meant that trade went north to Da Nang and south to Saigon. Thankfully, because of this and escaping the worst of the destruction caused during the “American War”, Hoi An and the beautiful buildings within have been preserved over the centuries.
Visit the Old Town.
The Old Town of Hoi An is its main attraction and where most of the hotels and hostels are situated. It is here where you will find the world famous tailors that line many of the streets. You can have almost any garment made including shoes. It has a long culture of being able to produce copies of clothes just provide a picture and they will make it! You must have your wits about you though, be prepared to haggle and shop around to get a product you are happy with.
The Old Town is also home to many of the attractions that make Hoi An famous including the Japanese Bridge, the famous Chinese trader houses of the Duc An and Tan Ky families and the Central Market. Return at night when the streets come alive, the colourful lanterns overhead and enjoy some bia hơi(locally brewed beer) at a street restaurant.
Be warned: There is a daily fee to visit these attractions however that is not a daily fee to visit the Old City. Many visitors find themselves paying and not realising this. One ticket covers a number of the main attractions in the town.
Learn to cook.
Food is such a big part of any trip to Vietnam and in my opinion, Hoi An has the best food in all of the country, with influences from the traders of Japan, China, France, and Portugal. The balance of flavours and quality of the produce are the best in the country. A trip to the Central Market is a highlight of any day in Hoi An - various street restaurants, each cooking just one or two dishes you will find yourself returning time and again to these friendly chefs. This is also the perfect opportunity for any budding chefs to take a class. Spend an afternoon learning all about the ingredients and cooking methods and eating along the way.
The dish most associated with Hoi An is Cau Lao. A specialty from the 17th century, it’s a dish with many peculiar secrets. You will be told that the brown colour of the noodles comes from the lye water. Lye water that is made with the ash from the wood from the nearby Cham Islands. The water that the noodles are cooked in must also be sourced from a secret well that is outside the town. Whatever the truth is, this dish is amazing. Long chewy noodles served with pork, fresh herbs, spices and French style croutons in a light broth. I am licking my lips just thinking about it.
Breathe the air.
After the dizzying traffic of Saigon or Hanoi, you will love the fact that the streets of Hoi An are so walkable. This is partly due to the Old Town banning cars from the roads. Hoi An is a great city to rent a bike and cycle around, breathe in the glorious sea air and head out into the countryside. Where you will be met by friendly locals, stunning vistas and the occasional ox by the roadside.
Are you a UK citizen and heading to Vietnam?
If you are from the UK and heading to Vietnam there are a number of options to obtaining a visa. If your stay is under 15 days you are exempt from getting a visa, simply show up with your passport and a flight ticket showing that you will be leaving in under 15 days and on you go.
If you are staying for longer you can either get a tourist visa on arrival or you may be coming to do business with a company in Vietnam and then you will need to get a business visa.
UK passport holders can apply online to get e-visa (30 days single entry) or apply online for visa on arrival if stay more than 30 days or want to get multiple entries.
If you want to get your visa beforehand at the embassy of Vietnam, please contact your Vietnamese Embassy for more information.
