Da Nang : Part 10 - Reach Hoi An

In about 35 minutes from Marble Mountain, we reached our place of stay in Hoi An. It was already very close by from Marble Mountain anyway. The hotel looks very new. We only booked for 1 night because we were not sure of our initial schedule. Just as we decided to stay for extra 2 nights, there were no rooms available. So, our today's mission was to find a place for the next 2 nights. In Vaia Hotel, we got our room at the price of USD28 per night.

After putting our stuff, it was time for walk in the town. Opposite the hotel, was a school for bodybuilders. I think the topless guy saw me snapping and he turned around. Haha! 

Hoi An is a place famous for custom-made shoes and clothes. Well, the tailors are not as good as the ones in Singapore or Hong Kong - what I read. In Hoi An, I see most of the shops advertise the work very loudly and some have the customers write their words of recommendation.

Now, this looks scary. Faces carved from wood.

We were in Hoi An Ancient Town. Saw signs where motorised vehicles were not allowed in the area.

Opposite the market was Thu Bon River. There were lots of boat for a river cruise.

Here is a summary of the price of the boat cruise. I did take a photo but the words are too small.

(a) Motorised boat : 10 people or less - VND100,000 / hour, 11 people or more - VND200,000 / hour
(b) Non-motorised boat : (i) Small boats - no more than 4 Vietnamese or 2 foreignes (ii) Big boats - no more than 6 Vietnamese or 3 foreigners; Prices : Vietnamese tourists - VND10,000 / pax / 20 min; Foreigners - VND20,000 / pax / 20 min

And the services they provide in the boat include,
(a) Kim Bong Carpentry Village - 15 minutes by motorised boat
(b) Thanh Ha Pottery Village - 30 minutes by motorised boat
(c) Thuan Tinh Tourist Site (I have no idea what is that) - 40 minutes (not stated by what boat)
(d) The 7 Ha Nipa Forest - 50 minutes (again not stated by what boat)
(e) Boat trip on Hoai River in the night, lighting the flower lanterns, seeing fish catch with a fishnet

Of course, if you are a backpacker, you won't be doing all that.

This is the flower lanterns. It is said lighting and letting them go in the river brings good luck. Well, this is how the locals use psychology to influence the tourists.

The Bridge in Hoi An Ancient Town.

The lady sells dessert. Black sesame soup and soyabean drink, which costs VND10,000 a drink. Very expensive for a small portion.

And for dinner, we found a local spot to eat. But seeing we are tourists, the price is higher. 

Cao lao - dish of rice noodles which are not quite as slippery as pho and a bit closer in texture to pasta, topped with slices of roast pork, dough fritters, lots of fresh herbs and veggies. VND30,000 (USD1.50 / RM4.50). I like this dish. After Vietnamese bread.

Mi Quang - rice noodles, slices of pork, pork crackling, prawns, quail eggs and crushed peanuts. VND30,000 (USD1.50 / RM4.50).

Then, we found the Tourist Office. We had not found any hotels yet, and this don't seem like a good sign. We asked where to find any hotels. And luckily, the staff inside knows someone who has a place of stay.

So, while 2 of my friends went to see the hotel with the hotel staff on a motorbike (yes, 3 on a bike), we waited by the river, watching the locals letting go the lanterns.

On the way back, we stopped at a stall to buy banana fritters, fried stuff containing coconut, and another with sweet potato. 4 pieces for VND30,000. My friend actually asked for a discount, because initially it was sold at VND10,000 a piece.

Opposite our hotel, was a restaurant. We went in to have beer. There was a Trip Advisor certificate for the cloth shop inside this restaurant. See what I mean when I said they advertise heavily.

Beer bottle for VND15,000. Still, the one in Hue was the cheapest at VND10,000. You think coffee will make me alert throughout the night? Then, have beer and you can sleep.

And because I have not tasted spring roll in Vietnam, we ordered a plate of Hoi An Spring Roll which came fried that costs VND40,000 (USD2 / RM6). Did not taste so good but it shut me up for the night. Haha!

Tomorrow, we are going to have a thorough check in Hoi An Ancient Town.