Hoi An Favorites

Fondest memory: With the first setting sun of our Vietnam stay, we walked and snapped our way through the photo opportunity laden streets and finally down to the picture perfect waterfront. As it was the main congregating area for tourists, it was correspondingly full of more than its share of locals trying their best to sell some merchandise or service they were convinced you just had to have. One particularly interesting slice of this pie was the row boat women. They offered up scenic trips of the canals for what seemed impossible prices. Though generally more than skeptical of these types of deals, we nonetheless found it irresistible for the chance to take an up close photo of one of these haggard women as much as anything else we might chance upon once out on the water. (continued below in Fondest Memory)

Fondest memory: We were surprised at how friendly our little crew was, asking lots of questions about our travels along with what latter turned out ingenious ones about things we were wearing that we had bought in other places. They consisted of a mother with her little son and the grandmother doing most of the oar work. They even took a great shot of us with the boy who was certainly a little charmer. We enjoyed the trip more than we had figured on but soon worried about the time as we had bargained only for an hour trip. They did not seem to care about the time so much. (continued below in Fondest Memory)

Fondest memory: At one point, we arrived at their home to drop off the little boy and, more importantly, pick up some souvenirs that we would hopefully buy. Now, the price of the trip itself made more sense, as well as their pointed questions about our other purchases, along with their prices. They were armed with the right products and what they figured were the right prices too. We braced ourselves for their sales pitch but found it softer than expected, especially after being manhandled in Hanoi. The items were overpriced and of little interest to us, obviously being typical Chinese knockoffs. We politely refused all the way back to the dock and gladly handed over our agreed upon fare. What was most surprising was their utter calm to our not making a purchase. In fact, they even said to come back again tomorrow. Okay, they probably just wanted another shot at us but it was offered up in such a friendly manner, we said we would think about it. (concluded below in Fondest Memory)

Fondest memory: Once off the boat, I noticed our shoulders were a bit red from the sun. We had not had much sun since getting to Vietnam but it seemed now it would be a constant companion. We could get used to that, even our skin after some days with sun block. What we hoped to also get used to were more locals like these. We could deal with people trying to make a buck, that was human nature and more than understandable in a country wrought with poverty like Vietnam. But that they could be nice about it in spite of our not buying from them was a good thing all around. Good for us as it meant less stress. Good for them because we would tell our friends that it was not such a hassle here as we initially found it. And just maybe with this better treatment, we might buy something from them after all.

Favorite thing: Hoi An is nowadays 5 kms away from the coast. The coastline has changed and the river became too shallow for navigation, so Danang is a much better harbour now.
But you can still see little fishing boats arriving to the harbour every morning to deliver the daily captures and sell them at the local market.

Favorite thing: If you stay at the Pho Hoi Riverside resort, take your laundry across the road. The couple are very pleasant, and only too happy to show you their washing machine, and clean washing, at 20000dong per kg, its a bargain. Very happy with the service.

Favorite thing: ADMISSION..........
Entry to all historical sites in Hoi An is via a coupon system.........

COST...VND75,000 ......

gets you a ticket that can be used to enter 5 attractions

* one museum..
* one assembly hall...
* the handicraft workshop or the traditional theatre..
* Japanese Bridge or the Guangong Temple...

Tickets are sold at various entry points into the old town.

Favorite thing: The standard way of seeing Hoi An's sights involves buying a 4-sight tour ticket ($5).
This ticket allows you to enter four places, picking one place from each of: 3 museums, 3 assembly halls, 4 traditional houses and the Japanese Bridge.
The Japanese Bridge is a public road and no ticket is necessary, but it's on the list anyway. It is possible to see a traditional house without the ticket by paying about 10,000D to the house owner, though some will charge more. To enter more than one place from each group, show the used ticket and pay an extra 10,000D

Fondest memory: The assembly halls are beautifully decorated and worth a visit.