Hoi An Trips & Tours

Hoi An Trips & Tours

A graceful riverside town of food, arts and the stuff dream holidays are made of

The jewel in Vietnam’s crown, Hoi An is Timbuktu’s darling, and few pass up the opportunity to wander the maze of quiet lanes (and have a suit tailored). Once a trading port for far-flung merchants, the passing cultures have left their mark in the food, the arts and, of course, the architecture. The town centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site to protect the unique blend of Japanese bridges, Chinese carvings and European balconies. Motorised cars are banned for several days of the week, and once a month, the electricity is turned off, leaving behind a mellow glow of traditional silk lanterns. Then there’s the food. Incredible cuisine is part and parcel of any Vietnam trip, but in Hoi An, it starts with an early-morning market visit and a traditional cooking course, and ends with dinner in any number of restaurants, ranging from fine-dining to street-corners – and both are a treat for the tastebuds. Once you’re noodle-ed out, hire a bike and explore the nearby hills and beaches – a few kilometres out of town and you’ll find life has changed little for centuries.