Travel
24 Hours In… Hoi An
Slide Nr 1Calm and colourful, with its riverside setting and rows of well-preserved merchant houses, Hội An is a laid-back city that retains much of the charm of its former days as a prominent Southeast Asian trading port. Free from the frenetic pace of bigger cities, it’s a place that invites connection. Whether you’re here for 24 hours or 24 days, Hội An will teach you to slow down and appreciate the world around you. [Photo by JB Macatulad]
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24 Hours In… Hoi An.
Slide Nr 26am: Rise With The Sun – I know what you’re thinking. You’re on holiday and you don’t want to wake up that early. But trust me, it’s worth it. Getting up and seeing Hội An Ancient Town in the golden light of sunrise is a rewarding experience, especially if you’re into photography. The morning air is cool, and there are few people around, so you’ll have the streets pretty much to yourself. [Photo: Anh Dinh/Flickr]
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24 Hours In… Hoi An.
Slide Nr 37am: Grab A Bánh Mì Breakfast – Head over to Banh Mi Phuong for breakfast, where you’ll find the very bánh mì which Anthony Bourdain once described as a “symphony in a sandwich”. He was right. Ask any local and they’ll tell you, this really is the best bánh mì in Hội An. Crusty on the outside and soft and pillowy on the inside, the bread crumbles in on itself whenever you take a bite. It’s delicious. [Photo by JB Macatulad]
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24 Hours In… Hoi An.
Slide Nr 48.30am: Learn To Cook Like A Local – Taking a cooking class is one of the most rewarding experiences you can have in Hội An. Many schools offer classes, but I recommend Thuan Tinh Island Cooking School. You’ll start by visiting Hội An Central Market to buy your ingredients before being taken by boat to an island where you’ll learn to cook Vietnamese favourites like pho, gỏi cuốn and bánh xèo. [Photo by JB Macatulad]
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24 Hours In… Hoi An.
Slide Nr 51pm: Have A Wander – You’ll probably be full after the cooking class, so burn off those calories by exploring the Ancient Town. Purchase a Hội An Ancient Town entrance ticket, and visit popular attractions like the Japanese Covered Bridge, the Old House of Tan Ky and the Phuc Kien Assembly Hall. Too hot or too tired to walk? Not to worry, you can explore in style from the comfort of a rickshaw. [Photo:Xiquinho Silva/Flickr]
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24 Hours In… Hoi An.
Slide Nr 63pm: Get Fit(ted) – Need a new outfit? Go to a tailor and have a suit or dress custom-tailored for you in 24 hours. Tailoring traditions go back many generations in Hội An, so you’ll find hundreds of tailor shops in town. One of the most recommended and trusted is Kimmy Tailor, a custom tailoring shop that’s been around since the 1970s. Their skilled tailors can make anything from luxury couture to casual summer wear. [Photo: Caitlin Childs/Flickr]
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24 Hours In… Hoi An.
Slide Nr 74pm: Try The Street Eats – There’s no shortage of good restaurants in Hội An, but be sure to try the street food as well. One of the most interesting dishes is bánh bèo, a variety of steamed rice cake topped with savoury ingredients like dried shrimp and mung bean paste. Aunt Bay, who sets up at 3pm at the corner of the old wall on Hoàng Văn Thụ Street, makes some of the tastiest. [Photo by JB Macatulad]
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24 Hours In… Hoi An.
Slide Nr 84.30pm: Relax On The River – With the sun going down and the worst of the day’s heat behind you, it’s time to enjoy a scenic boat ride on the Thu Bồn River. Boats vary in size, but the most memorable rides are on sampans, flat-bottomed wooden canoes powered by a single rower. With no destination in mind, enjoy a leisurely cruise up and down the river in the waning afternoon sunlight. [Photo by JB Macatulad]
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24 Hours In… Hoi An.
Slide Nr 95.30pm: Sip A Sundowner – Sip cocktails and watch the sunset from one of the many bars and restaurants fronting the Thu Bồn River. The views are beautiful from anywhere along the riverbank, so it almost doesn’t matter where you go – but if you can, head up to the terrace of Mango Mango Restaurant. It’s a popular eatery with a prime location overlooking the river, the Japanese Covered Bridge and Hội An Night Market. [Photo by JB Macatulad]
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24 Hours In… Hoi An.
Slide Nr 106.30pm: See The City By Night – Hội An Ancient Town is picturesque at any time of the day, but at night, after the sun has gone down and the lanterns have been lit, it becomes an enchanting sight – almost too beautiful to be real. Hanging from shopfronts and zigzagging between heritage houses, the lanterns look so magical you’ll feel like you’re in a fairy tale. This is Hội An at its most stunning. [Photo by JB Macatulad]
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Travel
24 Hours In… Hoi An.
Slide Nr 118pm: Enjoy An Authentic Meal – Have dinner at Morning Glory Restaurant, a stylish eatery that specialises in Central Vietnamese cuisine. Order the cao lầu, a rice flour noodle dish topped with char siu pork, fresh greens, herbs, rice crackers and fried pork rinds. It’s considered the quintessential Hội An dish, and something every visitor to this city needs to try at least once. Morning Glory’s version is delicious. [Photo by JB Macatulad]
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24 Hours In… Hoi An.
Slide Nr 129.30pm: Have A Nightcap – There are many interesting bars to explore in the Ancient Town, one of the most popular being Q-Bar – an über-stylish space that plays great music and serves an extensive list of unique cocktails, perhaps the best in the city. It’s arguably the hippest bar in Hội An, so it’s a great place to wind down and enjoy a few drinks before calling it a night. [Photo: vietnam-guide.com]
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24 Hours In… Hoi An.
Slide Nr 15Explore Before You Go – In this social media age, nothing can get you more excited about a trip than going through your Instagram feed. Be inspired to visit Hội An by exploring the #Hộian hashtag.
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24 Hours In… Hoi An.
Slide Nr 16JB Macatulad is one-half of food and travel blog Will Fly for Food, acting as the designated itinerary planner and food taster. He and his wife Renée are the “Traveleaters” who enjoy exploring the world through food.
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