#urbanfamilyinvietnam. ..........Hoi An
A quick flight from Hanoi to DaNang and a half hour car ride puts up is Hoi An.
WE LOVED HOI AN!!
We were really ready for a bit of time away from the hustle and bustle of Hanoi and a bit of pool or beachside relaxation. In Hoi An, we got both.
Accommodation
We stayed at the Anbang Boutique Beach Resort in the family suite. The Resort is small, quirky and has some traditional elements but is very new and clean with all the mod cons. Just what we wanted. Our room was great. REALLY large with a Queen size bed and two singles for the kids. The bathroom has a huge bathtub too. We had a private courtyard and direct access to the lovely swimming pool.
AnBang beach is a highlight. Get there before development takes over and the atmosphere changes from a sleepy Vietnamese seaside village to a bustling tourist town. There is SO much development of large resorts under way, I fear it may ruin the atmosphere a little. AnBang feels a little like Bali did before developers took over.
We went on a bike ride through the villages around Hoi An and a Water Coconut plantation. The ride took us to a 300 year old market garden and a cooking class at TraQue Minty Garden Restaurant which was really fun and the food was YUM!
The day was very hot but it was worth it for the authentic village experience. Our kids were only just old enough for the distance of the ride (at 9 and 11). Any younger and I think they would have struggled with the distance.
Shopping
A $5 taxi fare will take you to the Old Town of Hoi An. Lanterns are a feature and the place is completely different at night. Its really lovely how it has been preserved over the years and it is the place to be for the markets in the afternoon, a nice drink over looking the river and a fantastic meal. I think every meal we had in Hoi An was amazing! Our kids loved the street food and the markets. Very cheap clothes. Between $5-10 per piece.
Food and Drinks
Across the road from our resort is the Aussie owned Salt Pub. The pub has a great outdoor garden that leads straight on to AnBang Beach. The food was reasonable and there are a few western options on the menu too. So if you are after Smashed Avo for your breakfast, you’ll be fine here.
Prices were constant with the rest of Vietnam. We fed our family of 4 at each meal for somewhere between $20-$40USD. Cocktails continued to impress at around $5 USD.
Our local contact gave us a list of local restaurants to check out. They were all amazing. I’ll leave the list here for you. You’re welcome.
Morning Glory - 106 Nguyễn Thái Học Street
Lantern Town - 48 Nguyễn Thái Học Street
The Noodles - 13 Bach Dang street.
Bale Well - near 35 Phan Chau Trinh
Cargo Club Cafe & Restaurant - Get your cakes here!! 107D Nguyễn Thái Học Street
La Plage restaurant - An Bang beach
Secret Garden. In a gorgeous setting in a back alley of Hoi An, this place is a little more expensive but still very reasonable by comparison. Extensive cocktail and wine list. Great for those that like their food a little more spicy.
Next Stop………..Saigon.
