Currency:
Vietnamese Dong

Highlights:
An amazing city - plain and simple, tailored suits and Cargo food

Our Adventure:

Venetia has dubbed this her favourite city in the world - above Rome - so that's saying something! It is an absolutely charming city - imagine old French architecture with all its appeal of shutters and balconies coupled with the Asian influence of lanterns, long tail boats etc. and you get a very special city.

We had actually been considering skipping this part of the trip as we had only heard about clothes being made in Hoi An before and not its beauty - and we were so glad we decided to go there! The Old Town quarter in Hoi An has actually been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Don't get me wrong though, there are a formidable number of tailor stores - apparently there were 120 stores in 2002 and now there are over 400!

We had a really relaxing time here. It sounds funny to say that we need chill time when we basically are on one big holiday but it's something about spending time in a big city that makes you need to head somewhere small and just chill!

We did some lovely walks around town scoping out all the different Chinese-style shophouses which sell all sorts of interesting things from artwork to ceramics. We ummed and aa'ed about buying art but the final no decision was made when we reminded ourselves that the earliest we will probably have a house is 2012! But of course we couldn't resist getting some tailor-made suits done.

We had some romantic dinners on top of the balconies overlooking the river which was especially pretty with the reflection of all the Chinese lanterns lit and colourful along the riverside. We also met up again with the Canadian couple we had met in HCMC, Mike and Mel. This was especially good timing as we found out that our Australian visa (PR) was approved so we were able to go out celebrating with them that night and were the last ones left in the restaurant.

You can view our photos here:

2010-01-06 [Vietnam, Hoi An] Sunset in the Old Town of Hoi An
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=377866&id=713415257&l=3f95613b44

2010-01-07 [Vietnam, Hoi An] Exploring the Old Town
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=377869&id=713415257&l=f302aa4437

Next stop: Hanoi, Vietnam

Chat soon!
Lara and Leise