Vietnam is a land of breathtaking contrasts and sensory delights. It is a country that features everything from exotic culinary delights to breathtaking scenery. Seemingly endless, tranquil rice paddies stand in stark contrast to bustling cities such as Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi which embrace all the technology and conveniences that the modern world has to offer. The well-preserved colonial buildings of Hoi An play host to a slew of charming boutiques and tempting cafes while, further north, the local hill-tribe people of Sapa sell a wide variety of exquisite crafts and handmade trinkets. Beyond the urban areas, this diverse country is characterised by vast, verdant jungles and lush mountainous regions as well as an enticing coastline peppered with golden sand, palm-lined beaches.
Hoi An, on Vietnam’s central coast, is a town steeped in history and timeless charm. Known as Faifo to foreign traders centuries ago, it was a bustling port from the 15th to 19th centuries, attracting merchants from China, Japan, Portugal, and the Netherlands. This rich trading heritage is evident in its eclectic architecture: Japanese merchant houses with curved rooflines, Chinese assembly halls adorned with intricate carvings, and French colonial buildings lining the ancient streets. The town’s canals once carried goods from the Thu Bon River to the sea, facilitating Hoi An’s prominence in regional and global trade. Today, with cars restricted from the main streets, visitors can wander peacefully through its lantern-lit alleys, riverside markets, and temples, while boutique hotels, tailor shops, art studios, and cafés bring the historic port to life. Nearby, the ruins of My Son Sanctuary offer a glimpse into the Cham Kingdom’s Hindu past, complementing Hoi An’s multi-layered history and cultural heritage.
