Hoi An

Heyoooo!

I just spent three nights in Hoi An, and it ended up being one of my favourite places of my trip so far. Hoi An was definitely more touristy than some other places like Da Nang, but it’s easy to see why - the lantern-lit streets and old town are really beautiful!

I stayed at a small hostel that quickly became my favourite. It wasn’t huge, but it had a great social vibe and ran lots of activities. On the first night, there was a shared family dinner and a few games of Werewolf - a good way to meet everyone.

The next day, I joined a cooking class with a few people I'd met at the hostel. We started off at the local morning market to pick up ingredients, then made a full menu of Vietnamese dishes: pho, banh xeo, beef salad, fresh spring rolls, and a few different dipping sauces. The class also included a ride in the traditional round coconut boats, which was more fun (and wobbly) than I expected. Our guide even showed us how to catch crabs in the water.

That afternoon, I randomly ran into Maddie - a friend from university I hadn’t seen in two years since she moved to Australia. Total surprise and definitely a small world moments.

I also went to get a suit tailored, since Hoi An is known for custom clothing. The whole process - from consultation to two fittings - took less than 24 hours, and the result was worth it. Finally got a pair of trousers that actually fit properly.

Later, I met up with a few friends from the Ha Giang Loop trip! We had dinner, won a pub quiz, and had a night out. The next day was more relaxed - just hanging out, getting food, and catching up before I took the night bus to Da Lat.

Now I’m in Da Lat for one chill day, and then one more night in HCMC before I fly to Tokyo on the 16th. 

So excited!!! xxxx