The ancient town of Hoi An is a UNESCO world heritage site dating back to the 1500's. Encircled with lush green paddy fields, and interwoven with branches of the Thu Bon river, Hoi An is certainly picturesque. Mustard stained colonial style buildings line the riverside and surrounding lanes. Japanese and Chinese influences add atmosphere to this enchanting Vietnamese town. Hoi An is a must for traveller's to Vietnam. As night falls, Hoi An really comes alive. The pedestrian lanes of the ancient town light up with open air ceilings of multi-coloured lanterns. It is certainly quite magical strolling around after dark. Unfortunately, the tour buses also invade for their share of the night delights. A 5 km bike ride or motorcycle adventure takes you to An Bang Beach. The sand is soft, golden and great for castle building. The waves can be rough at times, but fun to dive through between the lifeguards flags. The high tide sometimes leaves a shallow tepid pool to lounge around in. There are many seafood restaurants as well as sun loungers for hire. You can buy a beer on the beach for 20,000 Dong (NZ$1.20). After the tourists leave for the day, a stroll through this blissful small town reveals a handful of sweet restaurants, a few day spa's and a couple of mini marts. The sleepy feel, and the local children playing on the streets convinced us to make An Bang our home for the next month or so. It's easy to see why millions of tourists visit this beautiful town every year. A welcome respite from the hustle and bustle of Ho Chi Minh or Hanoi. Hoi An is a magical town which we have totally fallen in love with.
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