If one day you suddenly intend to go to the “world cultural heritage” Hoi An but wonder where to go and what to do, try the unique experiences below, you will certainly not be disappointed with your trip.
Travel to Hoi An through 15 unique experiences not to be missed
Walking around the Old Quarter at night
This is actually a simple activity. Just step out of your hotel or motel, take a walk out into the street, and look at the rows of old houses and the colorful lantern streets at night. Don’t think it’s just an insignificant, worthless act.
Only after doing it will you understand why walking around the Old Quarter at night is the first experience we want to introduce to you.
It is like stepping into a bustling metropolis of hundreds of years ago. A peaceful ink painting appears before the eyes of visitors.
It seemed like the rows of ancient houses flickering with lanterns, the river reflecting an illusory light, like a walk through time and space.
Perhaps the most beautiful is the road along the Hoai River, with a few shimmering streaks of color on the water’s surface. When the water moves, those shimmering spots seem to blur and gradually dissolve in the water, so heartbreakingly beautiful.
Hoi An is even more wonderful when suddenly there are no more familiar shops in the neighborhood. Only then will it truly be an Ancient Town, a world cultural heritage.
Floating lanterns
Still on that evening stroll, in addition to observing the ancient streets, immersing yourself in the quiet, bustling atmosphere of Hoi An at night, the light party on the riverbank is also an experience worth trying when coming to this city.
Releasing flower lanterns on the Huai River is an exciting tourist activity. If you are a fan of Chinese historical films, you certainly cannot help but know the festival of releasing lanterns on the river in the movies.
If you regret not being able to do it in the movie, then come to Hoi An, let the lantern float on the poetic Hoai River, and pray that the lantern will bring luck to your family and loved ones.
Besides red lanterns, flower lanterns have gradually become a typical cultural feature of Hoi An tourism.
Enjoy Cao Lau specialty
Cao Lau is a delicious dish that almost represents Hoi An cuisine. The name sounds ‘fancy’ but actually the origin of the name is quite interesting.
In the past, merchants came to Hoi An to trade. They enjoyed this dish on high floors, both to enjoy and to look after their goods. That is where the name Cao Lau came from.
A bowl of authentic Hoi An Cao Lau must have the full feeling of the noodles, the sour, spicy, astringent, sweet taste of raw vegetables, the rich aroma of fish sauce, pineapple powder, soy sauce, meat broth mixed in crispy, fatty pieces of pork fat. Coming to Hoi An without enjoying Cao Lau is a huge mistake.
Visitors can go to Ba Be restaurant located in Tran Phu street area to eat Cao Lau or a small restaurant at the beginning of alley 69 Phan Chau Trinh, … or Hat restaurant at the intersection of Tran Phu and Hoang Dieu streets.
Some restaurants on Bach Dang street are also not wrong, foreign tourists often come here to ‘sip’ Cao Lau.
Eat the “best bread in the world”
David Farley – BBC reporter, a channel specializing in travel & cuisine, once exclaimed: “Banh mi in Vietnam is the most magical in the world” in the article “Is Vietnamese banh mi the best sandwich in the world?” after he had enjoyed a total of 15 banh mi loaves in different shops across Vietnam. One of those 15 loaves was Hoi An banh mi.
It can be said that Hoi An has many delicious bakeries that are very popular with foreign tourists. They are Phuong bread (Phan Chau Trinh), Madam Khanh bread (Tran Cao Van) and Mrs. Lanh bread (Cua Dai), … perhaps the flavor, perhaps the quality, … makes this dish never out of HOT in the hearts of diners.
Hoi An’s delicious banh mi with slices of pork, fatty pate, sweet and crunchy cucumber, fragrant herbs, and attractive meat sauce mixed in a crispy bread layer creates the ‘world’s best sandwich’.
Cruise on Hoai River at night
Sitting on a boat and admiring Hoi An at night, or releasing flower lanterns are popular choices for many couples when coming to Hoi An, especially couples taking wedding photos.
However, if you are still single, don’t be shy, you can still go with friends, family and relatives.
Boating on the Hoai River at night is an extremely romantic service besides releasing flower lanterns. If you are tired of walking, choosing to sit on a boat to enjoy the breeze is also not a bad idea, right?!
