Vietnam: Hoi An February 27th-March 2nd

We drove through the Truong Son Mountain Range along the eastern coast from Hue to Hoi An marveling in the emerald green rice paddies.  The novelty of the number of motorbikes carrying five member families and everything from dogs to ducks on the back never wore off.  En route to Hoi An, we stopped at an American check point and dipped our toes in the South China Sea at the famous China Beach (site of American TV show in the 90’s).  Our guide Thin provided names of the best shops in Hoi An and even more importantly, a name of a cheap laundry service and left us on our own at the Victoria Hotel overlooking both the sea and river. 

After an afternoon filled with swimming in the South China Sea and a rice pancake lunch, we headed into the bustling city center of Hoi An.  Known for their multitude of excellent tailor shops, we chose Sun Tailors as our first destination.  With an option to choose designs from over twenty fashion catalogues or bring in your favorite article of clothing to replicate, the staff takes your measurements, helps you choose your fabric and guarantees your desired customized article of clothing to be delivered to your hotel within twenty four hours.  Wedding dresses,  work pants, swimsuits, pajamas, you name it! Although tempting, I had my eye on the shoemaker shop next door.  With over three hundred styles and several rings of leather choices, I fell in love with a pair of strappy sandals with pewter leather.  The woman outlined my foot on a piece of white printer paper, measured the circumference of my cankle (not ankle) and the arch of my foot and similarly guaranteed a delivery for the following evening, all for under $20.  The shoes arrived not only arrived on time, but in perfect condition and fit like a glove J

Although a shopping highlight, nothing could top the experience at the Lac Viet jewelry store.  I could only think of how much several of my girl friends would love this store, as you enter to find yourself in the middle of several tables of stacked Tiffany’s and Cartier catalogues.   Still can’t find your design? No worries, as the staff pulls out an I Pad from behind the counter to search jeweler websites .  Of all the options, I chose a rather boring yet practical pair of Tiffany silver ball earrings which cost $12 to have made.  Truly a store after a woman’s heart, they offer orders from the U.S. with shipping included! This will definitely not be my last shopping trip with Lac Viet.  The remainder of our time in Hoi An provided fantastic shopping , yet none would compare to this first night.

We developed perfect daily itineraries in Hoi An, as mornings were spent in three hour school sessions, followed by an afternoon on the beach to be concluded with nights strolling the beautiful lit of city.  To truly feel like a local, I sucked it up and even took a motorbike taxi into town one afternoon.  I almost killed the driver by suffocation, as I wrapped my arms around him for dear life.  At night we enjoyed delicious Vietnamese Cuisine including sautéed morning glory, Cau Lo pork noodles, pho noodle soup and more Dalat Premiere Wine!  The walks along the beautifully lantern lined streets and decorated store fronts provided a perfect post dinner show each and every night.  An absolutely beautiful area, I was sad to leave Hoi An yet anxious to arrive in Vietnam’s largest city, Ho Chi Minh City, formerly known as Saigon.