16/01/2021
The Top 10 Best Things To Do and See in Hoi An, Vietnam
Watch a Hoi An water puppet show
A great way to get under the skin of local culture, this re-creation of Vietnamese traditional village tales through the medium of vibrant puppets who seem to float on the water is a pure delight for all ages. An English-language narration helps you keep up with the light-hearted storylines. Make sure to pre-book – these hour-long shows (made up of several mini-tales) are deservedly popular.
Learn to make traditional Vietnamese dishes
Replicate traditional regional specialties handed down through the generations in lively classes at the Gioan Restaurant and Cooking School. You’ll start with trip to the local market to pick up ingredients and continue with personalised lessons by one of the the charming in-house chefs – dishes might include pho noodles, spring rolls, banh xeo (crêpes) and green papaya salad, but you choose for yourself from a vast selection. The lesson culminates with a feast of your own making, accompanied by a beer or cola, and you get a recipe book so you can put your new-found skills to work when you get home and relive the experience all over again.
Discover the Old House of Tan Ky
Built in the 18th century for a Vietnamese merchant clan, the ‘Progress Shop’ – still a private home with the family living upstairs – is one of the most historically significant buildings in Hoi An’s picturesque old town. The architects drew on Japanese, Chinese and Vietnamese building styles for inspiration. Hire a private guide for a tour of the ornately decorated, antique-filled rooms and you’ll gain a glimpse into what life was like for more than seven generations of Hoi An merchants. Watch out for details such as columns decorated with mother-of-pearl Chinese poems, and carvings under the eaves.
Get a tailor-made suit
Hoi An has been central to Southeast Asia’s textile trade for centuries, and the city’s streets are filled with skilled tailors and leather goods workshops where you can have any item of clothing or accessory you like made to order. Avoid low-quality, less-established places by checking the latest online reviews (avoid hotel staff or taxi drivers’ recommendations) and shopping around for the best rates based on exactly what you have in mind.
