Six days into our stay in the northern region of Vietnam, we boarded a plane headed for the central area. Our flight took us to Danang, but our destination was 20 minutes south to the coastal city of Hoi An. If ever there was a paradise on earth, I imagine my version would be a lot like Hoi An.

My new sun hat :)

Kamila and Bal show off their new summer slacks.

It was my favourite part of Vietnam (aside from Halong Bay) as the weather was hot yet not sticky and the crowds were vibrant yet not intense. It was the perfect balance of climate and atmosphere paired with some of the best food I’ve ever had.

Seafood with veggies and noodles.

Homemade Pho for breakfast, made by the Moon Homestay staff.

Fried tofu with sauteed duck in the background.

Fresh spring rolls, Vietnamese style.

Recently chopped coconut outside a shop door.

Dried coconut husks line a patch of sidewalk.

Our hotel, which was a large house transformed into a homestay called the “Moon Homestay” was clean, beautiful and filled with large windows that showcased the landscape. At first glance out the window, I was in love with the town. I didn’t get any good shots of the interior of our room (our stuff was all over the place), but I can tell you I felt like a princess for those few days.

The view from our bedroom window at the Moon homestay, looking down on neighbouring backyards. Each had their own family of chickens and roosters!

The view from our shared balcony, looking onto the front of the homestay. The dolphin seen in the pool is just a tile print, not the real thing.

We did a lot of walking around to explore our new sunny surroundings. Next week’s article will showcase Hoi An’s Ancient Town, a World Heritage protected site since 1999. For now, I will show you the city of Hoi An as we walked through it.

One of the things Hoi An is best known for is their world-class tailors and seamstresses. Many tourists flock to central Vietnam with plans of getting personally tailored suits or dresses made just for them. The cost is about what you would pay in a department store, only it’s been made just for you. Not everyone has a gifted seamstress in the family like I do (Nana V) so you can see where the attraction lies.

Sample wares on the main floor of our homestay in Hoi An, Vietnam.

Fabric swatches cover the desk of our homestay owner, Moon.

Seamstress shop Ba-Ri, where we purchased some made-to-order clothes.

Captivating threads at one of the many clothing shops that line the streets of Hoi An.

A rooster doubles as security at a local dress shop.

Taking a walk near some rice paddy fields not far from our homestay.

The edge of the Ancient Town district at dusk.

That’s it for this week’s edition. Stay tuned next week for a tour of the Ancient City!