Hoi An

After our break from the back packing life in the resort, we resumed normal service. We went to the town of Hoi An.

Hoi An has been one of the most prosperous cities in Southeast Asia between the 15th and 19th centuries. It was a major trading post used by Chinese as early as the 5th century and later by the Chams, Japanese, Dutch, Portuguese, French and more.

Hoi An today is known for its expert tailoring

It is one of the best preserved such trading posts in Southeast Asia. Nowadays it is a major tourist stop and is better known for its tailors and seamstresses who can make whatever dress, shirt or suit you wish to have within 24 hours and its magnificent lanterns lit at night everywhere in the old town.

We took advantage of both of the above as Roxana had a dress made and I had my backpack repaired.

Banh Mi joint made even more famous by Anthony Bourdain

Our first lunch was a nice Banh Mi (a sandwich or "pain fourré") in a famous street food institution where the late Anthony Bourdain also had a go at.

Basket Boat - a must do!

During the rest of our stay in Hoi An we did a lot of fun and interesting things. We went down the river in basket boats: huge bamboo woven baskets about 2 meters in diameter made water tight.

Lunch is served!

We cooked a huge meal of traditional Vietnamese goodies with a family at their home. There was fresh and deep fried spring rolls, fresh mango and papaya salad with shrimp and very nice savoury Vietnamese pancakes filled with bean sprouts, pork and shrimp. It was delicious.

Beautifully lit boats floating down the river

At night we went on one of those magical boats lit up with lanterns. We refrained from lighting and float paper lanterns away. It was a small gesture not to pollute the river any more than it was. Mara was not very happy about it but she understood.

We also made some lanterns of our own, cutting and sticking pieces of used cloth on bamboo lanterns. Good thing that these lanterns can be folded like an umbrella.

For more pictures of Hoi An