Rogers Do Singapore: Vietnam

The last leg of our Vietnam adventure finished in Hoi An, where we rang in the New Year! Hoi An is the polar opposite of Hanoi. It is calm, relaxing and toursity. Jim and I really took to the slower pace of Hoi An and it's lantern lit streets.

Hoi An is pretty much famous for three things - tailors, silk lanterns and an old Japanese bridge. While the bridge intrigued me, I immediately had my sights set on a tailor! We had a recommendation for Jenny No9 in the cloth market, and it did not dissapoint. Jenny was so nice, and not pushy like many of the other tailors. We both got into the process - picking styles and fabrics. After being measured, we headed to explore along the river before our first fittings.

When we got to the river, we saw a local was offering a tour of the river for $10 -inclusive of 2 beers. Jim and I negotiated 50 cents down (because that's what you do in Asia) and found ourselves enjoying the scenic views on a crisp afternoon.

Jenny's Workspace

Boats and Beers.

Peace.

Veggies for Sale

Town of Hoi An.

Shops selling everything and anything ; )

One of the most pleasantly surprising things about Hoi An was the FOOD! The food was seriously amazing- flavorful soups, fresh springs rolls, banana pancake dessert things - o my gosh. I was genuinely concerned that we would not like anything in Vietnam, and Jim and I both agree it was actually the best we have ever eaten (for like $10 a meal too).

Traditional Vietnamese Coffees


Every shop has a dog to protect it - all the dogs come out and roam the streets together		.

Best Soup Ever. We had it twice.

Favorite Restaurant - the owner is married to a New Yorker who works there now. SO NICE!

Lantern-lit buildings

In between visiting the tailor for our fittings and stuffing out faces with pho, we went on some proper tours. One tour of the town - which included learning about how silk was made, seeing the old Japanese bridge, watching people whittle designs into wood and some temples (Touring Asia= Touring Temples). The other tour was more outdoorsy - we fished with the locals and took bamboo boats through the coconut-palm flanked tunnels.

A Unesco Heritage Site. Build in the early 1600s. It was literally built so one side could get to the other.

#BridgeSelfie

Thousands of SilkWorms (The silk thread comes from the cocoons they make.)

Palm Fields

Giving Jim the stink eye.. he just fell in while dancing to "Gangham Style" with the Guide. sigh.. no picture proof.

Soaked.

Crying at this Picture. #dork

Learning how to throw the net on a rowboat with a local woman. I didn't catch anything, but I hung onto the net and didn't fall in so I am calling it a win.

Their hats are so practical. Definitely bringing this trend stateside #sunshield #rainshield

Jim was pretty talented on the net #impressingthelocals

This man was showing us to fish with the large net.

Our turn. The concern on the woman's face in front shows how great we were doing.

So Gorgeous.

Fun Fact: Round Boats are not taxable. This is why so many people use them!

We ended our time in Vietnam floating some wishing candles on the river and ringing in 2016 with the rager at our hotel. All-in-all a perfect 10 day trip!