Hoi An

We try to make it a point to visit one other country during our annual trips back to Singapore. Last year, Stu wanted to go somewhere so he can "just do nothing", and I wanted to do some exploring. In the end, we decided to visit Vietnam. We stayed at the sleepy seaside town of Da Nang where we lazed around the pool and got massaged into oblivion  (more on that in another post). And we also made a few day trips to the old town of Hoi An as happy sightseers, so it was win-win.

Hoi An is an ancient town with beautiful architecture with Chinese and Japanese influence, largely intact from the 19th to 20th century. I was nervous about crossing roads and got a little bit stressed out at the constant beeping from motorcycles. However, at various hours of the day (I forget which exactly), the roads are closed to vehicles. We timed it so that we were always in a restaurant eating when the streets were crazy busy. Once the streets were closed, we strolled leisurely on the streets and looked at all the town has to offer.

Local food was SO GOOD. The ample use of herbs meant the dishes were light and fresh. We had vietnamese pancakes, dumplings, pork rolls and several types of noodles and EVERYTHING was so cheap and tasty. It was here that I tasted some of the most delicious Vietnamese noodles I have ever eaten. My mouth's watering just thinking about it.

Hoi An is home to some 500 tailors, so I decided I to get a few dresses made there. I did my research prior and printed some photos of dresses that I liked. Our hotel recommended Bebe Tailor, and since it reviewed really well on Tripadvisor, we decided that's where we would go.

Bebe stocks some really beautiful fabrics - from silks, silk cotton, linen, cashmere and wool. When I said I would get a few dresses made, I was thinking maybe 3. I ended up with 8! Stu who adamantly said he's shopped enough prior to the trip, ended up with 6 business shirts. All the items were made exactly to our specifications and measurements and I loved handpicking the fabrics for each dress. Bebe also replicated a couple of my mom's favourite tops (which I brought with me), including the elaborate embroidery work on one.

Here, I'm wearing one such dress with Lien from Bebe Tailor, who patiently spent hours with me working out styles and cuts and fabrics.

The streets of Hoi An light up at night with beautiful silk lanterns and floating candles on the river. The vibe was just lovely. The town may be touristy, yes but I still felt that the experience was quite authentic and people, genuine. Would return in a heartbeat.