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Vietnam blog: Sara gets a taste of the Truman show
During her Intrepid 10-day explorer tour, Sara Mason-Parker, business development manager at Corporate Traveller, is charmed by Hoi An.
After the past few days of hustle and bustle, dodging bikes, Hoi An couldn’t have been timed any better. A four hour drive through the stunning countryside from Hue we passed (and pulled up to explore) deserted beaches and winding roads through hills with breathtaking views. The remains of American and French soldier lookout points are located en route and are definitely worth visiting.
Hoi An itself can best be described as charming. The streets are beautiful and steeped in history. Famous for its cheap and excellent tailoring where suits and shoes can be made to measure within 48 hours (or less if needed!) you can wander the streets shopping for bargains whilst stumbling across small temples, 200 year old bridges and visit homes that have housed over five generations of the same family.
It feels kind of surreal walking around after the noise of Hanoi and Hue as the traffic is minimal (motorbikes are not allowed in the Unesco centre) and classical music is pumped out of speakers along the streets creating an effect that makes you almost feel like you’re in the Truman show.
There are some beautiful beaches just 5km from the centre and it’s easy to hire bicycles to get around.
We discovered two brilliant restaurants, White Sails and the Secret Garden (tucked away down an alleyway) and a couple of bars filled with backpackers, Why Not bar and Before and Now, that were fun if you fancy a game of pool or fooz ball and a bit of a dance…And the best way to get home when you’ve had a few? On the back of a motorbike of course!
Next (and final stop!) is Ho Chi Mingh. With a population of 10 million people and 6 million scooters crossing the road there, it should be interesting!!
Diane
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