Lilly's Highlights & Recommendations #6 (Hoi An, Vietnam)

Loved Hoi An (despite 1.5 days of torrential rain - don't worry it is
sunny again now!) Top 5:

1. Tran Family Chapel - this by the far the best of the cultural sites
of Hoi An. Lovely architecture and so well preserved it is like
stepping back in time. Friendly free tour too which is actually
interesting.

2. My Son - although the temples at My Son are a bit of a
disappointment after Angkor, they are an important piece of cultural
heritage and good to compete the temple set. The return trip on a
boat (via a 500 year old woodworking village which is interesting) is
scenic and very worthwhile.

3. Cui Dai Beach - not quite as nice as the beaches at Mui Ne but very
good for a relaxing afternoon if you have spent the whole morning
walking the streets of old town. Warm sea and cold beer. Waves a bit
calmer than Mui Ne. The journey home on the back of a moped was great
fun too. Couldn't leave SE Asia without going on a moped!

4. Riverside - the bars and restaurants and the outlook along Bach
Dang road on the river is amazing! Exactly how I had pictured Vietnam.
It is great for people watching (and even bumping into work
colleagues!) both on the water and on the street, the beer is cheap
(13p in some places!) and the food is brilliant (especially the local
specialities Cao Lau and White Rose) and if you get bored the main
Market is also on the street.

5. General ambience - in terms of things to see, museums etc Hoi An is
not the best place in Vietnam but strolling around the largely
pedestrianised (mopeds allowed of course!) streets among the ancient
houses and temples is really satisfying and the rest stops for drinks
and lunch are normally always scenic and cheap. Much calmer than HCM
too.

A quick summary on the food/drink side of things as it was the best we
have had in Vietnam:

Cafe des Amis - 52 (I think) Bach Dang. Great for people watching.

Restaurant 96 - 96 Bach Dang. See above!

Street food stalls at 62 Bach Dang - great location. Cheap and amazing
White Rose.

Lighthouse - on the other side of the river with a balcony terrace.
Great views of the old town and decent food.

River lounge - on the other side of the river so great views too.
Slightly expensive and pretentious food. Upstairs is basically one big
mattress for lounging on.

Mango Mango - see River Lounge except without the mattress. And we
only had drinks there.

Sleeping Gecko - near Lighthouse. Very relaxing and nicely set up with
free pool and a free shot on arrival. The owner (from Yorkshire we
think) also gave us some free rice wine (yuk!)

Morning Glory - on Nguyen Thai Hoc street, which has a lot of the top
restaurants on it. Also a good shopping street. My shrimps with garlic
chives and rice was my favourite meal.

Tam Tam - relaxing bar also on NTH street. Free pool. Notable for my
only pool victory so far!