WORLD ASIA VIETNAM HOI AN


Hoi An

Understand


Hoi An, once known as Faifo, was a major international port in the 16th and 17th centuries, and the foreign influences are discernible to this day. While the serious shipping business has long since moved to Danang, the heart of the city is still the Old Town, full of winding lanes and Chinese-styled shophouses, which is particularly atmospheric in the evening as the sun goes down. While most all shops now cater to the tourist trade, the area has been largely preserved as is, which is unusual in Vietnam, and renovation has proceeded slowly and carefully - it's mercifully absent of towering concrete blocks and karaoke parlors.

The main thoroughfare in the Old Town is Tran Phu. Just south of the Old Town, across the Thu Bon River, are the islands of An Hoi to the west, reachable via Hai Ba Trung, and Cam Nam to the east, reachable via Hoang Dieu.

Eat


Food in Hoi An is, even by high Vietnamese standards, cheap and tasty. In addition to the usual suspects, there are three dishes that Hoi An is particularly famous for:
  • Cao lầu, a dish of rice noodles which are not quite as slippery as pho and a bit closer in texture to pasta. The secret is the water used to make it, and authentic cao lau uses only water from a special well in the city. The noodles are topped with slices of roast pork, dough fritters, and this being Vietnam, lots of fresh herbs and veggies.

  • White rose (banh bao vac), a type of shrimp dumpling made from translucent white dough bunched up to look like a rose.

  • Wantan dumplings, essentially the same as the Chinese kind, served up in soup or deep-fried.


  • Budget

    Prices in the very center of Hoi An are generally a little inflated by the tourist trade - cross the bridge over to An Hoi island for a selection of basic but cheap eateries.
  • Popular and reasonably-priced. The frappucino-style mocha shakes are great.

  • Terrific food, but long waits.

  • Cheap and cheerful local eats. A steaming seafood hotpot for two and a large beer will set you back US$3.

  • 100 years of cao lau and still going strong. A bowl of chewy noodles and lots of veggies will set you back all of 8000 dong.

  • The shop that actually makes most of the "white rose" dumplings served all around town. 15,000 dong per serve, and if you ask nicely they'll let you try to make them yourself. Open from 7AM until they run out, usually in the afternoon.


  • Mid-range
  • The signs and the Serge Gainsbourg say...



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    Hotels in Hoi An
    Pho Hoi Riverside Resort Score 4 from 1 reviews
    T.1 Cam Nam 4/10
    The PhoHoi Riverside resort has four villa areas: 30 rooms, 5 bungalows : 8 rooms and 1 Vietnamese style hotel group has 44 rooms. It therefore has a total of 82 rooms covering an area of 7,000 sqm with garden and River views. The villas reflect a perfect blend of Eastern culture and French architecture, while all rooms are immaculately designed in the combination of Vietnamese artwork and traditional fabric. ... more
     
     Hoi An Trade Union Hotel Score 5 from 3 reviews
    80 Tran Hung Dao St., 5/10
    Hoi An Tourist Guides are available upon request, Guides are fluent in either English or French. Hotel tour desk can assist you to make a reservation for your next city hotel, air, coach and train ticket within the country. ... more
     
     Palm Garden Resort Score 7.25 from 2 reviews
    Tan My, Cam an 7.25/10
    The resort is located on Cua Dai Beach, Hoi An, Quang Nam province. The traveling time to the resort is 45 minutes by car from Da Nang International Airport and another 5 minutes to the Hoi An Ancient Town. Landscaped with several unique species of palm and coconut trees, the resort is also furnished with select Vietnamese products of silk, wood and ceramics. The planning of the resort with all of its individual bungalows and guest facilities reflects a lifestyle that is both calm and soothing. This wonderful ambience of the design and the resort's high standards of service add to a wonderful holiday experience. ... more
     
    Furama Danang Resort & Spa Score 7.75 from 2 reviews
    68 Ho Xuan Huong, Bac My An 7.75/10
    Designed by award-winning Australian architects, Denton Corker & Marshall, with interior design by Hirsch Bedner & Associates, Hong Kong, the Furama Resort enjoys a stunning beachfront location on one of Vietnam’s finest beaches, fringed by natural pines and coconut palms. The main lobby, function rooms, restaurants, bars and service areas occupy several 2 and 3-floor pavilions surrounding a spacious courtyard. Furama Danang Resort & Spa was the first 5-star beach resort in Vietnam to provide free and unlimited in-room high speed internet access since 25 August 2006, as well as in all public areas including lounges, restaurants, bars, ballrooms and meeting rooms. Furama Resort & Spa has created a lasting impression for both local and international visitors. This is not only due to the government’s confidence in its attentive care for dignitaries such as Jiang Zemin - People's Republic of China's former Secretary General, Thailand's former Prime Minister Thaksin, Queen Sophia of Spain, Prince Henrik of Denmark, but it is also because the Furama is a place that has been selected to host significant events on both the national and international level. Meanwhile, the Diving Base is pioneering international-standard scuba diving in Vietnam whilst the resort develops as a renowned venue for events, conferences and travel. Additional spa, fitness and recreation activities are also available. ... more
     
     Green Field Hotel Score 6.575 from 10 reviews
    423 Cua Dai Street 6.58/10
    Green Field Hotel is delicated to provide you with international standard comforts and conveniences, we are proud to serve and assist you in any possible way to make your stay in Hoi An more enjoyable and memorable. ... more
     
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