The Ancient Town of Hoi An

Wow, I didn’t realize it’s almost a year since I was in this blog. Sorry for my long absence but today I thought, I’ll scribble down notes on my latest travel within Central Vietnam.

I haven’t been backpacking for several months after I got caught up with a high pressured job in Saigon. But since my boyfriend Paul was leaving for a long holiday back to his hometown in England, I felt the need to go on holiday with him before his trip.

Typical scenario at the ancient town where locals enjoy a nightly festivities.

We visited three holiday destinations in Vietnam but I’d like to highlight our trip to Hoi An where I found the ancient village fascinating. I have been to several ancient villages in Vietnam during my early backpacking days but the old town in Hoi An is really captivating with those lanes and alleys full of Chinese-styled shophouses, bars and restaurants

decorated with Chinese lanterns.

On top of it all, the old town streets are closed for motorbikes at night. Amazing, I don’t have to deal with motorbike drivers insisting their way on the road nor the very annoying and rude honking even when there’s no need to honk.

All I have to deal is to look for Paul hopping around in a string of necktie shops or maybe take it the other way, Paul scouring for me in an alley of silk dress shops.

The shops at the ancient village were open even after 10pm but walking around hopping from one shop to another was quite tiresome, so we sit down in one of those modern Chinese-styled bars, Tam Tam.

Awesome, we’re in a bar with modern service but above me we’re the traditional Chinese lanterns in old designs.

Paul found Tam Tam Bar & Restaurant when he was searching for a place to watch World Grand Prix. Tam Tam is one of the few bars within ancient village with wide TV screen.

Anyway, we all have different preferences when we go travel but for me in Hoi An, I can only recommend the ancient village near the river. Hoi An is also known for its beaches but I am not a “beach person”, so I could not give justice to this destination if you take my opinion about it.

All I have is negative opinion from nothing to see when I was snorkeling except tiny little cluster of fishes which was not very visible because the water’s not clear blue. White sand beach yeah but rubbish are all over, people just throw bottles, cans or plastic bags on the seashore. But like I mentioned earlier I am not a beach person, I would rather rent a push bike for 2dollars and go around ancient village.

Hoi An by the way has no train station, in case you want to get out via train then go to Danang – all travel agencies in Hoi An would assist you for that.

We wanted to go on a train but Paul doesn’t want to be on a taxi to Danang. It’s too much of a hassle, so we decided to get on the bus. He booked all in the hotel where we were staying – it’s called Anh Hoi Hotel with little swimming pool and breakfast restaurant.

The receptionist was just too accommodating to arrange all without a hassle but the downside of it was that, we ended up in a bus we don’t like. A tourist sleeping bus with the name Luxury Open Tour but don’t be fooled by the word “luxury” because it’s nothing luxurious at all- locals sprawling on the floor or Vietnamese passengers sharing one tiny bed. Foreigners may have its own bed but I felt sorry for Paul because the seats likely were designed for Asian, so it’s too short for him.

You have one option though, fly. If you only have limited time to explore Hoi An’s ancient history and beaches then fly. Tickets for domestic flights in Vietnam are not really expensive. If I were to asked how many days ideal to stay in Hoi An- with my preference ( exploring ancient village) two days are enough.