NATURAL STATE.
This place is many things: picturesque, lively, romantic, crowded, young, old, groovy, and a Unesco World Heritage Site,. Hoi An, what a place! When I first arrived, I was a bit overwhelmed by the tourism, everywhere you look are shops geared towards tourists, and restaurants. The streets are crowded and all languages can be heard. The architecture almost seems too historic and the lanterns placed on purpose. However, the architecture IS historic and the lanterns ARE there for aesthetic purpose, and ALL languages have always been heard there. You see, Hoi An was an official trading post for Southeast Asia from the 15th to 19th Century. An abundance of nationalities and cultures walked and influenced these streets; Portuguese, Dutch, Chinese, Indian, Japanese. I celebrated my birthday in this place, and it only got better from there. I created new clothes for myself with a tailor, ate the world’s best banh mi, received a transcendent massage experience which connected me to other dimensions, and danced my heart out to classic rock in a dive bar.
Could’ve been anywhere, but it wasn’t, it was in Hoi An.
DO. A RIVER RUNS THROUGH IT
Hoi An History Museum, 10B Trần Hưng Đạo, Phường Minh An, Hội An, Quảng Nam, Vietnam
Museum of Folk Culture, 33 Nguyễn Thái Học, Phường Minh An, Hội An, Quảng Nam, Vietnam
The Sa Huynh Culture Museum, 149 Trần Phú, Phường Minh An, Hội An, Quảng Nam, Vietnam
Museum of Trade Ceramics, 80 Trần Phú, Phường Minh An, Hội An, Quảng Nam, Vietnam
Precious Heritage Art Gallery Museum, 26 Đường Phan Bội Châu, Cẩm Châu, Hội An, Quảng Nam, Vietnam visit this gallery filled with local photographs and the traditional clothingn and jewelry to get a sense of the old trading port culture and expression
Quan Thang Ancient House, 77 Trần Phú, Phường Minh An, Hội An, Quảng Nam, Vietnam
Phuoc Kien Assembly Hall, 46 Trần Phú, Phường Minh An, Hội An, Quảng Nam, Vietnam Chinese temple
Tra Que Water Wheel, Cẩm Hà, Hội An, Quang Nam Province, Vietnam (ocal farming, rice paper making, cooking class and beautiful traditional farmland and ricefields
Trà Quế Garden (Cooking Class & Restaurant), Hai Bà Trưng, Cẩm Hà, Hội An, Quảng Nam, Vietnam
Hoi An Motorbike Adventures, hamlet, Công viên Trảng Kèo, Nguyễn Chí Thanh, Cẩm Hà, Tp. Hội An, Quảng Nam 56000, Vietnam
Hoi An Eco Cooking School, 61 Lê Hồng Phong, Cẩm Sơn, Hội An, Quảng Nam, Vietnam
The Latern Lady - Latern Making Class, Cẩm Châu, Hội An, Quang Nam Province, Vietnam
STAY. SEASONLESS
The Four Seasons Hoi An, Block Ha My Dong B, Điện Bàn, Vietnam $690
The Art Space at Anantara, 1 Phạm Hồng Thái, Cẩm Châu, Tp. Hội An, Quảng Nam 00000, Vietnam $145
Royal Hoi An, Mgallery By Sofitel, 39 Đào Duy Từ, Phường Cẩm Phổ, Hội An, Quảng Nam 560000, Vietnam $104
Little Hoi An Boutique Hotel & Spa, 02 Thoại Ngọc Hầu, An Hội, tp. Hội An, Quảng Nam, Vietnam $66
Lantana Hoi An Boutique Hotel & Spa, 09 Thoại Ngọc Hầu, Cẩm Phô, Tp. Hội An, Vietnam, Quảng Nam, Vietnam $59
EAT. LIKE BOURDAIN
Bánh Mì Phuong, Phan Chu Trinh, Cẩm Châu, Hội An, Quảng Nam, Vietnam Bourdain called it the best Banh Mi in the world, and it truly was, a delectable experience seen above
Morning Glory Original, 106 Nguyễn Thái Học, Phường Minh An, Hội An, Quảng Nam, Vietnam Classic authentic Vietnamese in a beautiful setting, try the local cao lầu as well as skewers and the vietnamese spring rolls fried this time not fresh, live a little
Mỳ Quảng Bích, 272 Hùng Vương, Thanh Hà, Hội An, Quảng Nam, Vietnam take a bike or car to the outskirts for this local joint for a taste of the local mi quang dish
Cabanon Cafe Hoi An, Công Nữ Ngọc Hoa, Phường Minh An, Hội An, Quảng Nam, Vietnam
Minh Hien Vegetarian Restaurant, 50 Tran Cao Van, Phường Minh An, Hội An, Phường Minh An Hội An Quảng Nam, Vietnam
Nhà hàng hải sản biển An Bàng - Năm Giã, Bãi biển An Bàng, Hội An, Quảng Nam 560000, Vietnam beach shack restaurant, serving unreal seafood, lobsters and traditional Vietnamese dishes
Four Seasons Resort The Nam Hai, Block Ha My Dong B, Điện Bàn, Vietnam two restaurants, one Indian and one Vietnamese for a special evening on the beach
SHOP. LIKE AN EXPAT
Yaly Couture, 47 Trần Phú, Phường Minh An, Hội An, Quảng Nam, Vietnam words cannot express my love for this place, completely run and operated by women these local tailors made our trip! we created and recreated some of our favorite items, collared shirts, dress etc.. so be sure to bring your favorite pieces (not too complicated) and these women can bring them to new life!
Hoi An Lantern Shop, 424 Hùng Vương, Thanh Hà, Hội An, Quảng Nam, Vietnam
Hoi An Handicraft Workshop, 9 Nguyễn Thái Học, Phường Minh An, Hội An, Quảng Nam, Vietnam
Nam Trân, 124 Trần Cao Vân, Phường Minh An, Hội An, Quảng Nam, Vietnam
Small Antique Shop owned by Old Family, Trần Phú, Phường Minh An, Hội An, Quảng Nam, Vietnam husband and wife sweet and unassuming. The owner was honest and told me which pieces were antique and which new. Also taught me the signifcance of the Turtle, Dragon, Flamingo and Lotus in Vietnamese culture.
Metiseko, 140 Trần Phú, Phường Minh An, Hội An, Quảng Nam, Vietnam organic cottons and natural silks in this local, beautiful RTW and home goods store
HEAD TO THE DIVE BAR FOR A GOOD TIME
One of my favorite bars in the world? Yes. Best playlists I have ever heard? Yes.
We may or may not have had one of the most legendary nights here..
I celebrated my birthday here, dancing the night away to Zeppelin, Stevie, CCR, Michael..the list goes on.
I wish this place existed in New York. Oh and they sell nitris up and down the streets of Hoi An, if that floats your boat.
This bar doubles as a Dive Bar sign up center in case you want to snorkel or scuba with the Cham Island Scuba School (notice my T shirt)
