When I was preparing for my trip and talking to people about Vietnam, everyone raved about Hoi An.
Situated in the centre of Vietnam, near the business town of Danang, Hoi An is about as quaint as you can get. Lanterns crisscross the streets of the old town, people offer you even more lanterns to float down the river. It is quintessentially 'Asian', which is why people seem to fall head over heels for the town.
Apart from the beauty and romance that the town itself provides. There is a lot to do near Hoi An. Danang offers the Marble Mountains. Limestone cliffs that jut out of the flat terrain. On top of the mountains, there are stunning views and temples dedicated to Buddha.
There is also a beach nearby (which I didn't make it to but I hear it is quite fantastic). Then there is the My Son ruins.
These ruins are the closest that you get to an Angkor Wat of Vietnam. Does it compare? Not in the slightest (but nothing can). I found it very interesting nonetheless because there isn't much pre-Vietnam War history in most of the country.
To get to the temples, there are two options: scooter or tour. We opted for scooter and it turned out to be a great ride there and back. I will caution that if you aren't comfortable on a scooter/motorbike/dirtbike this might not be the option for you.
I wasn't nearly as comfortable as I thought I was and crashed my scooter giving me the legs-through-a-meat-grinder look. I also took out a small gas station in the process and became a bit of legend on the Vietnam backpackers circuit. I got to Saigon a week later and people knew I was "that girl who took out a gas station with her scooter". Not my proudest moment but I got on the bike and drove
myself to My Son and back.
The other important thing to know about Hoi An is the tailors. It's every shopaholic's dream come true. They can make anything you want in any material or colour and it's all tailor-made to fit you. A lot of men buy suits while in Hoi An and women buy dresses...and shoes. I can safely say that when I get back home, I will be both well dressed and well heeled.
They also ship home for you. Extremely convenient if you buy more than will fit in your backpack or suitcase. I would caution that it is advisable to go in with a shopping list and a knowledge of both quality and fabric, otherwise you will end up drowning in options.
If you visit Vietnam, it is inevitable that Hoi An will be a stop. I loved it. It was romantic (even though I'm single) and lovely for a girl who loves clothes. I can understand why everyone told me that Hoi An was their favourite stop in Vietnam.
Heather Carson is a Prince George born-and-raised, recent UNBC grad. She is currently travelling through Mongolia, South East Asia, and Australia. Her travel timeline is indefinite and her plans are undetermined. She is currently writing about her travels at www.gingernomads.com
