Hoi An is heaven for shopaholics. The creamy-coloured town lining the
banks of a lazy river is a breath of fresh air amongst the crazy
traffic, relentless noise and choking exhaust fumes of some other
Vietnamese cities. The historical city centre is a pedestrianized zone,
the slow paced cyclos and tourists on bicycles the only vehicles you
need worry about dodging whilst focusing on your shopping.
The crumbly, biscuity-coloured buildings are not just beautiful to
look at; they are perfect for bargain hunters too. Hoi An is the home of
cheap tailoring – for 50 dollars a number of tailors in this town can
custom make you a suit and have it delivered to your hotel within 24
hours. Mannequins displaying dresses and suits of the latest fashion
line the streets, whilst swathes of fabric in the background indicate
the innumerable options you can have your garment made with. You can
literally turn up to the tailors with a picture of a designer gown you
have had your eye and they will whip one up to your exact measurements. (See for example Bi Hanh Tailor, 53 Tran Hung Dao which has very favourable reviews on Trip Advisor.)
The same can be done for leather goods like handbags and jackets –
take a picture to one of the leather outfitters and they’ll recreate it
for you, with the promise that if they don’t get it done in time you can
have your money back.
Aside from having things custom made there are numerous shops
throughout town selling leather sandals, silk dresses (for
about £4 each depending on your bargaining skills) and hand made
paintings with varying prices according to quality. Hoi An really is a
shopaholics playground.
It’s not a bad place for foodies either. Heralded as one of the best
cities for food in Vietnam; Hoi An was certainly where I had my
favourite meal in the country. The chef and owner of Morning Glory is a
bit of a celebrity in Vietnam and rightfully so –Trinh Diem Vy creates
sublime food and the layout of the morning Glory restaurant enables
customers to observe her staff at work too. The pork ‘roll it’ we
ordered to start were so good we ordered another before we had even
finished the plate.
The local food market is as much a visual as a culinary treat.
Vendors in traditional pointed hats perch on stools with giant baskets
of fish, fruit and vegetables at their feet. Flashes of silver catch the
eye as fish flap around on the ground; the food is that fresh.
Motorcycles, laden with fuchsia pink fruit and exotic veg I cannot
identify, zip in-between the stalls and the crowds.
But there is more to Hoi An than the food and shopping and history and
culture (I know!), because just when you think this place is amazing
enough, you can travel 10 minutes outside of town and be on the beach – a
perfect, never-ending stretch of spotless sand that will make even the
islands of Thailand jealous.
When it comes to accommodation in Hoi An there is only one place the lux-loving stylista need consider and that is The Nam Hai.
Sprinkled along the endless beach are the uber-luxurious Nam Hai
Private Beach Villas. Featuring a central platform which hosts the 6
poster bed, bath and sofa area, an indoor and outdoor shower, his and
hers dressing areas, day beds with sea views and an enormous mini-bar,
you will find it hard to tear yourself away from your villa. Just a golf
buggy ride away though are the hotel facilities; 3 pools (one for laps,
one heated and one infinity) a lakeside spa, a gym and a business
centre, not to mention the fine dining restaurants – the Nam Hai has
everything you need wrapped up in a golden package. If you are missing
the shops however the Nam Hai runs a regular free shuttle service back
into town, with plenty of room for all your shopping bags!
