The room we had at Roxana River Villa was spectacular. Sliding doors led onto a marble bathtub with bamboo decor. The view looked out onto the hotel pool and breakfast bar below. For £25 a night, the value was excellent. We did not have any day trips booked for Hoi An, so we had plenty of time to relax and take it at our own pace. Our hotel was a kilometre from the centre, so we took the scenic route next to the Thu Bon River on our outings. Hoi An is well known for its lanterns and was one of the main reasons I wanted to visit. As we got closer to the town, every shop, restaurant, cafe and public building was decorated in a rainbow of colours, it was spectacular.
The ancient town has many influences from the French, Japanese, and Chinese which can be seen in the shape and style of many buildings as you walk along the waterways. The Japanese Covered Bridge dates back to the 18th century and is one of the main attractions. It was built to access the Chinese Quarter, back in the time when many Japanese people resided in the town. The town is very popular with tourists, however, you do get a sense of peace and tranquility in comparison to many other places in Vietnam.
We stopped at Hoi An Roastery on our first day. The Espresso and Coffee House is nestled in the Ancient Town and has its street entrance partly covered by several lanterns. The menu they have is pretty extensive and gives a history lesson on the country’s relationship with coffee. Apparently,Vietnam is the second-largest producer of coffee in the world, known for its production of Robusta and growing interest in high-grade Arabica. Who would have known? That atmosphere inside was vibrant and offered a welcome mid-day break from the sun.
The street market is set back from the river and is mainly pedestrianised, allowing you to shop around carelessly. The prices are quite fair and they are open to negotiation. There are many different vendors selling fresh fruit, vegetables, fish, and souvenirs. I’m pretty sure you could find most things at this place. One thing we both wanted to buy were Vietnamese lanterns. We found a place that was selling 22cm painted ones for around £4 each. They were small enough to fit into our backpacks so we both bought a couple.
The canals at night were even more spectacular then in the day time. All the boats illuminated their lanterns which lit up the water and cast captivating reflections. We explored the night market and stopped for drinks at a bar with live music. It was a nice way to end our time in the town before heading to Da Nang the next day.
We stayed at Dong Duong Hotel and Suites at £24 for the night. We had already driven through part of the city but didn’t have any time to really see the place. The hotel lobby was very unusual with antique cars, scooters, and a grand piano to mention a few items showcasing all corners of the world. It was like staying in a museum. I wished we had longer to check out the place but we had an early morning flight to catch. Next stop, Ho Chi Minh.
