Picture this scene for a moment: It is a cool, clear evening. The sun has just set, transitioning the atmosphere from an orange luminous color, to a mixture of rich blue and a deep purple color. Along a tranquil river bank, you are on a boat surrounded with lanterns in vibrant hues of red, yellow, and blue — some gently floating, while some bobbing on the surface of water. From a distance, melodious strains of traditional music as well as the chatters and laughter of people can be heard. The night is nothing sort but ambient as the night welcomes a serene gaze of a full moon.
What comes to your mind?
A beguiling mixture of Chinese and Japanese culture, with a little of Venice’s graceful gondola ride, perhaps? Or that one scene from Disney’s Tangled?
Hoi An, Vietnam
Hoi An, a delightful and enchanting town at the heart of Quang Nam Province, Vietnam, is a cocoon of magic where dreams indeed seem to come true!
History of Hoi An
Hoi An was once a major port built in the 1590s by the Japanese Community to link them with the Chinese quarters. With Japanese merchant houses, Chinese temples and ancient teahouses, the streets of Hoi An offer grand architecture that reminiscences ethnic inclusiveness.
Hoi An Ancient Town
Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Hoi An Ancient Town is a well-preserved example of a South Asian trading port dating back to the 15th century.
Check out Hoi An’s most recognizable landmark: Chùa Cầu (Pagoda Bridge)
The official name of the bridge is Lai Viễn Kiều (來遠橋) in which Lord Nguyễn Phúc Chu carved the name in Chinese characters on a plaque. The plaque can be found on the entrance,
The bridge is said to have been built in the year of the Monkey and completed in the year of the Dog, so you can find stone monkeys and dogs guarding the sides of the bridge’s entrance.
Celebrating The Moon Festival
Celebrate Tết Trung Thu (The Moon Festival) along the Thu Bồn River (The Mother River) without having to wait until the eighth month on the lunar calendar. Yes, you heard it right. Here in Hoi An, the Moon Festival is held every month on the 14th or 15th day when the moon is the fullest.
What you can do and explore:
- Send off adorned lanterns with written messages and candles across the river
- Enjoy a boat ride
- Watch the magnificent parade
Click Top 5 Things To Know About The Hoi An Lantern Festival 2024 – 2025 by a leading toour operator in Vietnam to check out the dates for your experience at the festival.
Strolling Around The Night Market
Hoi An Night Market is one of the best places to visit in Vietnam where you can find over 50 local vendors selling clothing items, handicraft products and many more. It’s never too much to treat yourself with a shopping-spree!
Eating Mouthwatering Local Delicacies
Walking around the streets of Hoi An, you have just been bewitched by an aroma of fresh herbs and spices. Desperate times call for desperate measures. That’s right, it’s time to fill yourself up! Among a myriad of choices for local delicacies, a must-try dish is Hoi An’s regional noodle dish, Cao lầu.
- Cao lầu (Pork Rice Noodles)
A fusion of Chinese, Japanese and Vietnamese Cuisine, this dish is a rice noodle soup based on the Japanese soba tradition, typically served with slices of lean pork, soy sauce and fresh lime juice.
Best Time To Visit
Expect March to September to be the best time to visit Hoi An as the ocean is too rough at other times. Tropical Cyclones are extremely harsh in the northern part of Vietnam, resulting in high exposure to flooding in these areas. Besides, the skies are much clearer during warmer seasons – You’ll get better pictures, I swear-
So, What Are You Waiting For?
Thinking of where to escape for your next vacation? Stop the overthinking and take on this magical experience.
It’s straight out of a kind of Rapunzel love story. But so can it be yours, here in Hoi An, Vietnam.
