A GLIMPSE OF HOI AN: VIETNAM'S MOST CAPTIVATING HERITAGE TOWN

What was originally planned as a month-long trip across Vietnam ended after two weeks (due to a knee injury), but at least it ended in one of my favourite places - Hoi An. If I ever come back to Vietnam, Hoi An is a place I would love to go back to.

Hoi An is a short distance away from Da Nang, therefore if you plan on visiting Da Nang, I would highly suggest allocating some time to visit Hoi An, even if it's only a one day trip. Hoi An Ancient Town is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and for a good reason. The charm of the town lies in its unique blend of Vietnamese, Chinese, Japanese and European architectural influences. The town has been preserved and you can also find the cultural blend in its traditions and cuisine.

I decided to stay in Hoi An for one night. It's magical and the town transforms into a completely different vibe by night. Think quaint peaceful town by day, lit up by lanterns and a lively vibe by night. The picturesque streets, vibrant murals and stunning landscapes make Hoi An one of the most photogenic destinations in Vietnam. It's a pedestrian-friendly place, where you can expect to find a good mix of street food to fine dining restaurants. I'd say it is best explored by bicycle or on foot.

You may find unique souvenirs as there are numerous artisan boutiques and local markets around town. Hoi An is known as the tailor capital of the world, so if you are not short on time, getting some custom-made clothing done is a must!

One night in Hoi An means I had two full days to explore and grasp the beauty of this place. My first day started with a walk around town to discover the shops, the eats and landmarks. I had lunch at Grandma Kitchen Restaurant by the river. The food was great! If you are looking for street food, then perhaps you might want to grab a banh mi, one of the staples of Vietnamese cuisine. It is a sandwich made with a French baguette, pate, meats and fresh herbs, and is a perfect blend of French tradition and modern Vietnamese culture. A well-known spot in Hoi An is at Bánh Mì Phượng, a small stall that became extremely popular after Anthony Bourdain's recommendation on his show No Reservations. I personally did not try it as it is not halal, so I can't vouch for it, but I did walk by and saw a massive line.

In the afternoon, I booked a coffee workshop to learn about Vietnamese coffee. I am not usually a coffee drinker, but the first sip of Vietnamese coffee was lifechanging. I was able to master different styles of coffee, from salt coffee to Vietnamese coffee to condensed milk coffee and finally, egg coffee. My favourite were the coconut coffee and to my surprise, the egg coffee. I would recommend this to anyone looking for a fun and interactive activity. The plus side? You'd be supporting a family business. The staff (who are two brothers) were phenomenal and even let us stay back afterwards to wait until the rain stopped.

After my workshop, I continued exploring the old town. You know what they say? The places with no English menus are the best and my next stop was one of those places. Keep some cash with you as that's the only way to pay for your drink at the iconic Mót Hoi An. You can find the local drink here. It's hard to pinpoint exactly what it tastes like, but it is a refreshing herbal drink with hints of lemongrass, and lemon. Expect to find long lineups, but it is worth the wait and the line moves pretty quickly.

By night, the town had transformed into a scene out of Tangled. Hoi An comes alive with ancient traditions, especially during the Full Moon, when the town celebrates the Lantern Festival, held on the 14th day of every lunar month. During this time, all electric lights in the town are turned off, and the streets are beautifully illuminated by countless lanterns. The river is also filled with floating lanterns, casting a magical glow over the water. One of the highlights of the festival is the chance to release your own lantern into the river —an experience that embodies the cultural and spiritual heritage of Hoi An. I took a boat ride by night to fully immerse myself in the atmosphere, gliding along the river as the lanterns drifted by. It was like stepping into a fairy tale. Just be sure to check the dates before planning your visit, as this event happens only once a month.

Staying in Hoi An Old Town for one night was extremely convenient and worth it for me, as I got to stroll the Night Market before making my way back to the hotel. I stopped for dinner at Morning Glory where I managed to find some vegetarian option on the menu. I loved the food, but then again, everything I had tried in Vietnam to date had been pretty amazing.

The next morning, I got up early for a cooking class and the coconut boat ride tour. It was my last day in Vietnam, but I made sure to book a red eye flight to make the most of my day, especially since the Da Nang Airport was an hour away.

The guide picked me up from the hotel. I had one more solo traveler from Australia join the tour and we instantly started chatting up and geared up for a full day of fun. The first stop was the boat ride. It was a hot day, but we got to wear the traditional Vietnamese ride while enjoying the quiet boat ride.

The Bamboo Basket boat ride in the Bay Mau Coconut Forest is a must do activity if you are looking for a unique local experience and a fun activity. It's best known for the spinning rides, but what they don't tell you online is that the boat ride itself is quite peaceful. You get to go crab-fishing. The spinning part? They take you to an area where you transfer to another boat and you get to spin for an additional cost, before coming back to your ride. The ride lasted about an hour, and with the heat, it did feel like a lot at some point.

Since cooking classes is something I've been into when traveling, I decided to combine the ride with a cooking class, where I got to learn to make Vietnamese dishes. For these classes, I opted for the vegetarian option but what I found was that the portions were quite big for one person and I was glad to have some leftovers to take with me. The class itself was very fun as I got to meet more travelers from all over the world. We made Vietnamese spring rolls, pancakes, salad and a fried noodle dish. Everything tasted amazing and a cooking class is something I'd recommend as an activity as well if you are into that. Personally I find that the dishes never taste the same when I try to remake it at home (even if I buy and bring my ingredients from abroad), but regardless it is a great skill to have and a great way to discover new cuisines that you may fall in love with.

After getting dropped off back at the hotel, I did not have much time before I had to leave. So I freshened up, relaxed and went around the Old Town once more for a quick walk. I passed by the Japanese Covered Bridge, a structure from the 18th century with intricate carvings and a perfect spot for photos. If I am ever to go back to Hoi An, I would love to visit the Silk Village or one of the farms, such as Tra Que Vegetable Village. I would also love to check out An Bang Beach. I'd say perhaps 2 nights, 3 days is more ideal in this beautiful town. I was happy to have been able to experience it, even for a short time and hope to visit again soon. I understand now why it is a favourite for many.

Have you been to Hoi An? Let me know!