Exploring Magical Hoi An, Vietnam with Friends | Old Town, Lanterns & Coconut Boat Ride

Hoi An was a day trip with new friends that turned into eight more days on my own. We started with a basket boat ride on the river and finished in the lantern-lit Ancient Town after dark.

The coconut basket boats. We started at the Coconut Village (Cam Thanh), just outside town. These round bamboo boats are a Hoi An classic, and our guides were having as much fun as we were. Since we were in the middle of a river, of course there was a dance party, and one of the boatmen did a spin that was definitely not his first day on the job. Along the way our boatman fished out a little crab, and for a moment it looked like he might eat it. We let him go. After the boats, we explored the market and had lunch.

The Ancient Town at night. Then we went back to our hotel, freshened up and returned in the evening. That turned out to be a smart move: it was a hot day, and the break meant we enjoyed the evening a lot more. By the time we went back out, it had cooled down. Hoi An in the evening is beautiful, with the lanterns, the lights on the water and all the little shops. There’s a lot of artwork, including small shops selling portraits. I enjoyed Hoi An, and I can see why it’s so popular.

The lantern boat ride. In the past, I’d have been the guy on the riverbank making snide remarks while someone else made a memory. This time I made the right decision and got in the boat with my friend Lenel, and I’ll probably remember that little ride for the rest of my life. It’s a cheap excursion, the photo opportunities are great, and with the lanterns reflecting on the water, it’s beautiful. It wouldn’t be a bad date night, either.

Is eight days in Hoi An too long? For me, no. If you stay by the market, the persistent sellers every time you step outside would probably get old. But there are plenty of boutique hotels about three-quarters of a mile to a mile away from the busiest area, and they’re good value. I stayed at the Hadana Boutique Hotel and found it to be a great value. Most hotels in the area will lend you a bicycle to get around, which makes it an easy place to slow down for a week.