The heritage town of Hoi-An in Vietnam possess an olden vibe dating back to the 15th
century. Highlighted by its well-preserved structures that have shaped a
storied past of a former Southeast Asian trading hub, it has become a major
tourism draw in Central Vietnam. Going
back in time doesn’t need to come in the form of a capsule machine, a walk
through the old streets of Hoi An might just do the trick. As I boarded my bus from Ho Chi Minh to Hoi An, I already pictured a lovely age-old town awaiting for me.
To make your journey
back in time more worthwhile, here are other things to do in the UNESCO World
Heritage town of Hoi An.
Stroll the Old Streets of Hoi An
During daytime you will be
instantly enchanted by the quaint ambiance thanks to its fusion of classic
architecture enriched with local and foreign influences. Small two-story
homes are now transformed into souvenir shops, cafes, bars and restaurants
– sandwiching a few original houses and museums.
Come nighttime, your stroll at
the old town’s streets takes into notches more romantic, as colorful lanterns
of various shapes and designs come to light up the already quixotic streets. A
walk through time peppered with visual feasts at every turn will make your
Hoi-An experience a truly memorable one.
And Cross the Japanese Bridge of Hoi An
Way back in the 1950s, as
a symbol of inclusiveness, the Japanese community reached out to old Chinese
quarters by connecting the two communities with a bridge. Since then, the bridge
not only created a better relationship between the two, it also became one of
the most photographed spot in Hoi An.
Daytrip to another UNESCO site of My Son Sanctuary
Ruins from a cluster of
Hindu Temples built from the 4th century until the 14th century can be found at
the UNESCO World Heritage Site of My Son Ancient Sanctuary. Although US carpet
bombings during the Vietnam War damaged most of the remaining temples, it is
still a sight to behold and made fascinating as you listen to the history as
told by the local tourist guide.
A little over an hour away from Hoi An, My Son
is a worthy day trip destination as it will add more layers to your knowledge
about Vietnam’s history.
Food Tripping in Hoi An
What is a trip to Vietnam
without gorging on local food? In Hoi-An, choices are aplenty as rows of hip
cafes and restaurants dots both sides of the old streets and even across the
river. From fine dining to food markets, enjoy the varying dining experience
one will find here.
In the land of Pho, you will discover other Vietnamese
dishes that will leave a lingering good taste in your mouth.
Shop, Shop, Shopping in Hoi An
The streets of Hoi An old
town beats any strip malls by a mile. Colorful shops housed inside old buildings
add an extra stratum of allure and coupled by interesting stuff to buy such as;
souvenir items, lanterns, artworks, vibrant textiles and other creative crafts,
one will definitely have a grand time shopping at Hoi-an.
Have a Drink (Coffee, Tea or Beer), and Have a Good Time
When you get tired of
walking, take a rest by having a cup of coffee, tea or a bottle of beer on a
second-floor balcony of the many cafes located along the old streets.
Having a
drink and people watching will give you a front row seat view on the hustles and
bristles of life in the olden town of Hoi An. Don't forget to have a cup of tea at Reaching Out Tea House.
Daytrip to the beaches of Da Nang
Had enough of cultural immersion at Hoi An’s old town?
Have a break under the sun at the long beaches of Da Nang. Located an hour
away, it is a bustling modern city totally opposite from the throwback
atmosphere of Hoi An. In Da Nang, you can also visit the Marble Mountains or
hire a motorcycle to pass through the scenic Hai Van Pass.
Make new Friends
What is the point of
traveling to a new place without making new friends along the way? The atmosphere prevailing
in Hoi-An creates a beautiful harmony among both travelers and
locals alike.
A simple nod of the head or a smile will easily introduce you to
a new friend. It is always a great thing to have someone share that mouth watering plate of tasty Vietnamese food and a cup of brewed coffee, with someone - over a fascinating conversation.
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Cebu Pacific Air flies
direct from Manila to both Ho Chi Minh and Hanoi Cities in Vietnam. Hoi-An is
an hour and a half from the nearest domestic airport in Da Nang. You can either
take another short flight from HCM or Hanoi to Da Nang or take a sleeper bus
from Ho Chi Minh to Hoi An.
