Hoi An

Hoi An's Embrace: Stepping Back into a Timeless Town

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The moment we stepped into Hoi An Old Town, it felt like stepping back in time. It was a delightful change of pace, as there were no roaring motorbikes in this UNESCO protected world heritage site, just the gentle whir of bicycles and the quiet shuffle of feet. Every building, from the ancient merchant houses to the ornate temples, told a story. The yellow walls and yin-yang tiled roofs glowed warmly in the afternoon sun, adorned with vibrant lanterns that, by night, transformed the town into a magical spectacle.

I was fascinated by the mix of Vietnamese, Chinese, Japanese, and European influences. Hoi An dates back to the second century port town, where traders exchanged goods from all over the world and Christian missionaries landed and first began work to Latinize the Vietnamese script. I spent hours just wandering, getting lost in the narrow lanes, discovering hidden courtyards, and admiring the beautifully preserved timber frames and tiled roofs.

My husband and I spent evenings on the riverside, watching the lantern-lit boats drift by, a scene of pure tranquility. We found a small cafe with a balcony overlooking the Thu Bon River and had the most romantic dinner. One evening, we even took a lantern-making class, painstakingly folding and shaping the colorful silk. It was a simple joy, a tangible memory to take home from a place that, even in our short time, felt like it had always been waiting for us. Hoi An isn't just a town; it's an experience, a gentle embrace of history and beauty.