Travellive reporter's schedule will take you to explore Hoi An through different stages of time, from when the ancient town is still quiet to when it is brightly lit under the night sky.
Peaceful morning in the old town
Starting the day with an early morning stroll is a great way to enjoy the fresh air of Hoi An. When the morning sunlight is still gentle, the old town appears like a vivid picture with rows of yellow houses covered with brilliant bougainvillea trellises. The shops are still quiet, the streets are deserted, creating a quiet scene typical of the early morning.
The shops are quiet in the early morning
A rare peaceful scene during the day
Walking in the clear, pristine morning air of Hoi An is an unforgettable experience.
The sound of bicycle bells jingling echoed throughout the streets.
Cycling through the narrow alleys, the sound of bicycle bells ringing in the peaceful space makes the soul become strangely relaxed. This is also the ideal time for tourists to check-in at the Japanese Covered Bridge - the symbol of Hoi An, without worrying about the crowds of tourists.
After a stroll around the city, stop by a coffee shop along the Hoai River, before the motorbike ban. Sitting and sipping a cup of strong filter coffee, watching the river slowly flow by and enjoying the peaceful atmosphere of the morning will be an unforgettable experience. The scenery of the old town at this time is peaceful and quiet, completely different from the crowded scenes later in the day.
Many tourists and locals choose to sit and drink morning coffee by the Hoai River.
After fully enjoying the tranquility of the morning, come to enjoy Pho Tung - a place only for those who know the authentic local cuisine. Hidden in a small alley on Phan Chau Trinh street, Pho Tung is not as famous as the restaurants for tourists, but is a familiar destination for locals.
The small alley on Phan Chau Trinh street leads to the famous pho restaurant in Hoi An.
Pho Hoi An is completely different from Pho Hanoi, Saigon or Chinese Pho. It has its own flavor, both rich and delicate, making diners remember it forever after just one try. The restaurant is located right in a cool courtyard, where in the morning many people often come to enjoy breakfast before starting a new day. A hot bowl of Pho, soft noodles, rich broth in the peaceful morning space, will definitely complete the morning experience in the old town.
Tung Pho restaurant is located in a family garden.
Pho Hoi An is completely different from pho Hanoi, Saigon or Chinese pho.
Lunch with typical culinary flavors
When the midday sun begins to heat up, head to Ba Buoi Chicken Rice - one of the most famous restaurants in Hoi An. Hoi An Chicken Rice has its own unique characteristics with golden, shredded chicken mixed with herbs, onions, and sprinkled with a little chopped lemongrass leaves. The chicken rice here is always fragrant, soft, and not too fatty. This dish is a perfect combination of simple ingredients but blends together to create a subtle, unforgettable flavor.
After enjoying lunch, visitors can return to the hotel or homestay to rest and recharge for the upcoming afternoon and evening.
Lunch at a famous address on Hoi An culinary map
Evening of relaxation and cultural immersion
Evenings in Hoi An are a great time to enjoy the cool air after a sunny day. You can start the late afternoon with a light meal of grilled meat rolls - a rustic but delicious dish. Thin and chewy rice rolls, rolled with soft and fragrant grilled meat, dipped in a rich sauce, creating an irresistible flavor.
Grilled meat rice paper rolls are a dish not to be missed when coming to Hoi An.
Thin and chewy rice paper rolls with soft and fragrant grilled meat, dipped in rich sauce, creating an irresistible flavor.
After dinner, take time to attend one of the two famous shows in Hoi An: Teh Dar Show and Hoi An Memories. Teh Dar Show is a bamboo circus performance imbued with Vietnamese national culture, where you will be immersed in a contemporary art space combined with folk music and eye-catching performances.
Teh Dar Show is a bamboo circus performance imbued with Vietnamese national culture.
Bamboo and rattan decorative items carry the show's signature
Meanwhile, Hoi An Memories is a spectacular live performance that recreates the history of Hoi An from the bustling trading port to the present-day ancient town. Elaborate artistic performances combined with sound, light and a vivid stage will take visitors through fascinating historical stories about this land.
Dubbed the most beautiful live show in the world (Reuters, 2019), Hoi An Memories leaves an unforgettable impression, taking viewers' emotions from one level to another.
Peaceful night with a cup of sweet tea
After an evening of enjoying culture and art, take some time to stroll around the old town, when the lanterns have lit up the space. The streets are quieter now, with only a few people passing by. This is also the ideal time to stop by the small street stalls selling all kinds of sweet soups from bean sweet soup, corn sweet soup to mixed sweet soups, both sweet and refreshing. While enjoying a hot cup of sweet soup, while watching the people slowly passing by, the old town seems to put on a quiet, gentle and charming beauty.
Many tea shops open late
With a variety of different hot and cold desserts
The cries of street vendors blend with the silence of the night, making Hoi An even more peaceful and familiar in the eyes of travelers from afar.
A bowl of sweet soup is enough to soothe the heart after a night of fun.
With just 24 hours in Hoi An, visitors will feel all the beauty of this land - a place that not only has unique cultural heritage but also has a peaceful and enchanting pace of life. The moments passing through the ancient town, from dawn to late night, will remain in the memories of visitors like a sweet, unforgettable dream.
