A city of sunshine on a rainy day

Escaping temperatures of minus nine and the odd flutter of snow, we departed Seoul; (our modern metropolis home) for winter vacation and headed to Hoi An, the Vietnamese city where time has stood still.

Known as the ‘Yellow City’ or the ‘Paris of South East Asia’ Hoi An is enchantingly beautiful. The town is drenched in an uplifting shade of yellow – a symbol in both Korea and Vietnam for royalty and superiority – and the iconic buildings, next to the tropical palm trees, make it feel as though the city is wrapped in sunshine (despite the buckets of rain endured during our visit). The town was a lively trading port from the 15th to 19th century but what remains is the influence from China, Japan and Europe. The mixture has created a cultural rainbow; with Chinese temples, traditional Japanese bridges and French style villas.

Getting lost has never been more relaxing

The unique fusion of culture and architectural style makes Hoi An a dreamy town with hidden alleys and local treasures. During the day we would leisurely ride push-bikes through the ancient town, weaving through the plethora of scooters and local people. Wandering around Hoi An feels as though you’re in a time capsule; beautiful fabric adorns the doorways of traditional tailoring markets and wooden food carts stroll around the street serving incredible Vietnamese street food.

Lanterns are a beautiful masterpiece of Hoi An and have been lighting up the city for over 400 years. By night they hang from building to building and create a colourful walk way down the streets. Small candle-lit lanterns float along the Thu Bõn River next to romantic gondolas and wooden boats that have been transformed into restaurants.

People of Vietnam

Whilst the setting was stunning, the charm of Hoi An is truly found in the local people. Vietnamese people are some of the best. We stayed at the Windy River Homestay  and couldn’t have had better hosts; it was as though we were part of the family, they would often cook lunches for us and teach us Vietnamese. They’d give us bikes to use for exploring the town and close beaches, and when we weren’t riding we would relax in the patio area – chilling on a hammock, watching the local fishermen on the river. If you find yourself in Hoi An be sure to say “xin chào” (hello) to Phuong and Lein.

I would absolutely recommend a visit to Hoi An; the enchanting UNESCO World Heritage Site. The fusion of culture, food, history and people make a unique location. I hope to explore more of Vietnam and maybe join the 37 million motorbikes for an adventurous road trip.