The Travelling Fairy DancerHOI AN
August 29th 2008 02:38
Looking more like a movie set with its faded, colourful house facades and small, pedestrian only streets, Hoi An's old town is brimming with magic.
During the American war in Vietnam, Hoi An remained virtually untouched, therefore retaining much of its enchanting sense of history.
The oppresive heat can be an enemy, but navigating the cobbled streets on foot produces endless surprises. Street vendors cruise the pathways, cone shaped hats weaving through the crowd. Strong under the weight of the goods balanced in between their necks and shoulders, its hard to resist buying something under the glare of their joyful smiles.
Cloth shops jostle for space among cafes, restaurants and art galleries. Tailors here can create whole new wardrobes in less than a couple of days, for very little money.
Bring pictures or samples from home, or choose from the ready made ones and splurge on a pampering morning of measurements, choosing fabrics and gasping in delight at the amazingly cheap quotes flying around the store.
Suits and jackets are most popular and to safeguard againt imperfect work, shop around first and ask other clients about their experiences.
Hoi An boasts so many inviting restaurants, you could happily make the rounds all day. Tam Tam Cafe and Bar, encased in a restored tea warehouse, comes alive late afternoon. Complete with lazy, old fashioned ceiling fans and pool tables, its hard to leave once you're in.
5km east of Hoi An, Cua Dai Beach provides welcome relief from the heat. The beach is clean, sometimes deserted and during April and October, the South China Sea is a blissful mass of calm, pristine, water.
Hoi An captivates the senses and cajoles the mind with its genuinely unique, historic personality.
During the American war in Vietnam, Hoi An remained virtually untouched, therefore retaining much of its enchanting sense of history.
The oppresive heat can be an enemy, but navigating the cobbled streets on foot produces endless surprises. Street vendors cruise the pathways, cone shaped hats weaving through the crowd. Strong under the weight of the goods balanced in between their necks and shoulders, its hard to resist buying something under the glare of their joyful smiles.
Cloth shops jostle for space among cafes, restaurants and art galleries. Tailors here can create whole new wardrobes in less than a couple of days, for very little money.
Bring pictures or samples from home, or choose from the ready made ones and splurge on a pampering morning of measurements, choosing fabrics and gasping in delight at the amazingly cheap quotes flying around the store.
Suits and jackets are most popular and to safeguard againt imperfect work, shop around first and ask other clients about their experiences.
Hoi An boasts so many inviting restaurants, you could happily make the rounds all day. Tam Tam Cafe and Bar, encased in a restored tea warehouse, comes alive late afternoon. Complete with lazy, old fashioned ceiling fans and pool tables, its hard to leave once you're in.
5km east of Hoi An, Cua Dai Beach provides welcome relief from the heat. The beach is clean, sometimes deserted and during April and October, the South China Sea is a blissful mass of calm, pristine, water.
Hoi An captivates the senses and cajoles the mind with its genuinely unique, historic personality.
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