My lack of blog posts about travel has provided me with an opportune time to take a trip down memory lane and vicariously relive my latest and most recent trip to South East Asia. #throwback
For a university student, South East Asia, is not only a beautiful way to dip your toes in the pool of travelling, but its appeal has to be its affordability. It is dirt cheap and my Australian dollar is sure to go far every time. The combination of these two things- affordability and the culture, brings me back time and time again.
[And I have nearly conquered every country of South East Asia which I am damned proud and happy about]
Recognised by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, the name Hoi An, literally translates to "peaceful meeting place". On my first trip to Vietnam, I did not have the time to visit, and on my second visit, I was damned sure I was not going to miss it.
The city itself is small in comparison to its sister cities of Ho Chi Minh and Hanoi, but what it lacks in size, it makes up for in beauty. As a lover of all things historic, I was dying to see the 'old town' that has been so beautifully preserved. And it did not disappoint.
The buildings were small and quaint, reminiscent of my own Chinese heritage. As if on cue, suspended above the streets were the typical chinese lanters, of all sizes and colours. At night, these were magical, supplementing the soft light emitting from the shop fronts, restaurants and street lighting.
Travelling on foot, the streets seemed packed with like-minded tourists wanting to bask in the atmosphere.
There aren't many 'night-markets' open at night, but most shops and restaurants continue trading late at night hoping to sell some items to the large number of tourists.
If you walk a little past the hustle and bustle of the 'old-town' you will find yourself at the river. It is dark, with the only lighting provided for by the restaurants, and shops situated in this primo position along the river. It is a must to see this at night, as it is truly magical.
Along the river, you will also find little children and the elderly selling little candles placed in cardboard boxes. Spare some loose change (costing the equivalent of $2AUD or less) and purchase one of these candles. The aim of this is to make a wish and place your purchased candle on the river, to drift away. This may sound cheesy to others, but it is an inexpensive way to help the kids/elderly make a quick buck, as often they spend hours on the street trying to make some extra money.
WHERE TO STAY/ Despite it being a smaller city, there is an abundance of choice when it comes to accommodation. I stayed at the Vaia Boutique Hotel, which is a quaint, family-owned hotel located in central Hoi An. With the old town and river in close proximity (about a 15 minute walk) and the beach within riding distance, it was a perfect and affordable choice. The staff were friendly and very helpful, especially when I contracted a sickness (completely unrelated to my stay at the hotel). And the rooms were spacious, clean, and modern; and with cable TV, to tie down those nights when I could not sleep.
If you want to be located closer to the beach, perhaps try the popular Sunrise Hoi An Beach Resort or the Golden Sand Resort & Spa.
THING'S TO DO/ My favourite day was spent renting a motorbike and riding to the little-known beach of An Bang. Located in the opposite direction of popular Cua Dai Beach, this beach is perfect. It is not as populated, so you are guaranteed to have a relaxing visit without the bustle of a thousand tourists descending into the ocean. It's also perfect for those photo opportunities where you don't want anyone photobombing your holiday snap!!
Other attractions include, visiting Cua Dai Beach which is heavily populated past 5pm when all the locals (and their families) descend into the ocean for a nice refreshing dip post-work. Being a smaller city, to get around is easy- rent yourself a bike (most hotels will have some on offer for guests) or hire one from one of the may vendors on the streets. It is a cheap and wonderful way to discover everything that Hoi An has to offer.
A tip for you budding travellers, Ha Noi is the place for tailoring. Suits, dresses, pants, shirts, they do it all. If you're looking for that next suit, visit Yaly Couture; my boyfriend made his suit and three business shirts done here and they finished it within 2 business days, and the quality was impeccable.
EATING/ I am a big believer in the saying "when in Rome, do as the Roman's do" and I have adapted this ethos into all my travels. What does this mean? When it comes to food, I stay away from the western classics such as the burger, pasta, sandwich etc. So the places I would eat are located on the very streets themselves. I wouldn't recommend this to all travellers, as I know most people are worried about bacteria, food handling and so forth. But for this iron belly, I always try to eat on the streets wherever and whenever I can. It is the best way to get a taste of everything Ha Noi has to offer.
For those concerned souls cringing at the thought of having to eat food on the streets, fear not there are many places to eat in Hoi An. In fact a number of the shops in the old town, and along the riverside are restaurants! Yay for food. I cannot remember names of specific places to eat, but take a stroll along the river and there is a restaurant to suit anyone's appetite.
For those who have been to Ha Noi you will know of the beauty and magic I speak of. Ha Noi is just a wonderful place to visit in Vietnam, nay it is a MUST travel destination for all travelling to Vietnam. It is a small city full of cultural significance. It has been preserved for a reason, and go travel here to find out just why.
