Hoi An

 (Usual waiver applies to grammar, typos, spelling as I'm posting via  a small phone screen on the hoof 🤭, click on the pics to zoom in)

16 April 2026

We had a good drive from Da Nang to Hoi An. As we left Da Nang we passed mile after mile of enormous sea-front resorts like the Marriott, Radisson, Hyatt etc. They had amazingly beautiful gardens, tennis courts, topiaried trees etc and me thinks stunning sea frontages. We  kinda gawped at the gated opulence while across the road were very humble tin shacks.

We're in Hoi An for three days, two nights sooo let's go!  Hoi An is on a river delta and is chocolate box gorgeous. It's a great example of a melting pot of cultures. It was a major trading port during the 16th to 18th centuries. 

It was  an important hub for Japanese, Chinese, Portuguese, Dutch and French traders in addition to the Vietnamese themselves.

You guessed it, it's been declared a  UNESCO World Heritage site. 

Every corner you turn is a little 'wow' moment. 

I can see why the Instagram crowd love it here.

The old shophouses reminded me of Singapore.

The Thu Bon River runs through town and the ornate footbridges and boats  add to the ambiance.

This groovy little town is also known as the city of lanterns.

 

Back in the day early Chinese and Japanese settlers hung lanterns to light the way and to bring good luck. 

As you wander through the gorgeous streets you can see lanterns everywhere. 

You can take a lantern making class or a night boat tour and see all the lanterns being released on the river. Every full moon the town turns the street lights off and only lanterns light the way, now that would be cool to see. 

The little footbridges are all festooned with lights - such a pretty town both day and night.   

Every village has a night market and Hoi An is no different. It was busy as we walked through the stalls. Lots of vendors offering goods, spa, massage etc but no hassle if you politely said no thanks. 

We are staying in a  home stay, trying to support a  local business. It's lovely and just five mins walk from all the action of the old town. The lady of the house runs a tight ship and first instructions were no shoes past the front door😁 which is all good but the little slippers they give you are tiny on our big feet. Luckily we always carry indoor jandals so we had a chuckle with the hostess.

We are in  working neighborhood so not touristy at all, there's even chickens next door but one 👍

Many houses have little garden plots growing herbs, veges, fruits and chillies! Saw a chilli harvest being dried on our street👌

Love that there are no cars or motorbikes in the old town from 9am - 6pm👌and goods are still carted in on trolleys.

The famous Japanese covered bridge has a dog carving on one end and a Monkey at the other end.

The bridge was started in the Year of the Dog and completed in the Year of the Monkey....or was it the other way around🤔😁

There are many temples and pagoda you can visit, but time your run, after 11am it starts cooking up heat wise. 

We got up early and wandered  the streets as the village was coming to life. 

Goldfish  anyone? 

Food pic of the day was this delicate prawn dish tied up with spring onions, mint and Thai basil, so fresh and with a tangy tamarind sauce👌.