Hoian

Hoi An located on the coastal plain of Quang Nam Province, about 30 km south of Danang. Set in a quiet environment, Hoi An is surrounded by peaceful villages, beautiful Thu Bon River and Cua Dai Beach. A former international trading port with its heyday in the 17th to 19th centuries, the cultural influences of the Japanese and Chinese merchants are still evident today in the town's architecture and the distinctly Chinese atmosphere of the Old Quarter. December in 1999, Hoi An Ancient Town was officially listed as a World Heritage Site.

What to Do?

Highlights of Hoi An are leisure walking tours along old streets bordered with ancient houses, assembly halls, its pagodas, temples, ancient wells and tombs. It also can be a day on cycling, motor biking or boating to nearby villages and Cua Dai Beach. Other activities light up your day include taking a Vietnamese cooking class, enjoy a wide selection of restaurants, cafes and bars, wander around the tailor's shops and order a new set of wardrobe or joining a day tour to My Son Holly Land.

The best time to visit Hoi An is between February and April, when rainfall is low and temperatures are comfortable. During summer, the temperatures can get hot, during the rainy season, particularly during October and November, it can rain constantly and there is a high probability of flood and typhoons. It is lucky if you can travel to Hoi An on the 14th day of the lunar year each month when Hoi An celebrate the Full Moon Festivals and becomes the stage for traditional songs, dancing, games and food, with lanterns lining all of the streets.

Travel Tips

Hoi An is a shoppers' heaven where you can find tailor shops everywhere on the streets. In fact, the tailors are almost similar and most of them should be fine. However, many tourists do not have good experience and end up paying for clothing that they will not wear.

Please keep in mind that most recommendations that you get from hotels and restaurants are based on relationships rather than on the quality of the tailor. And the highest success rates come from playing it safe - copying clothes that you really like or customizing clothes found as a sample in the shop windows. With a new design or more expensive items, try with more reputable (and often expensive) tailors.

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