Hoi An is one of those towns in Southeast Asia that I constantly heard about before arriving. I’d been told it was pretty, quaint, and a great place to get anything I could want custom made.
A UNESCO World Heritage site, Hoi An has a reputation for being a favorite place to eat amazing food, dance all night, admire the beauty, and get amazing custom dresses, suits, and shoes. Some people even get their wedding dresses made there!
As if that wasn’t enough, it’s also located on the beach, which always draws me in.
Could this be a new home for me for a while? I’m thinking it’s highly possible I’ll return and stay. This is why:
Hoi an is Beautiful!
A town of just the right size, easily bike-able from one end to the other, it’s quaint without being too small.
The charm of this city can be seen just about anywhere, from the small and narrow streets to the canal that runs through it.
Beyond that, the surrounding area is wonderful to motorbike through.
I still hold the opinion that the prettiest part of Vietnam must be the middle. But I’m biased. I fell pretty hard in love with this part of the country.
Wats galore!
There are Chinese-style temples all over the city, easy to access with a bicycle or by foot.
Each one has its own unique style and beauty. Spending a couple hours checking these out and admiring the intricate designs while watching in calm silence as devout followers hold onto sticks of incense was a great way to appreciate Hoi An’s offerings.
It was particularly special because I was there over lunar new year, so the temples were free to visit and buzzing with activity.
Cheap customs
Most people get a suit or dress made when in Hoi An, but I had something entirely different in mind. I wanted high quality leather custom boots. I realized around Tet (lunar new year) this would not be easy, so I searched high and low before selecting a very small shop with an adorable owner whose husband made the shoes.
I selected everything about the shoes from the color to the style, laces, extra buckle on the back, added zipper, height, and heel (or lack thereof, I’m already tall enough in this part of the world!).
In order to get the best product made, I suggest checking out TripAdvisor reviews and shopping around at different places. Check the craftsmanship and the soles of the shoes. Pick an owner you feel good about working with rather than someone who is pushing a sale on you and making you uncomfortable. There are plenty of fish in the Hoi An sea!
I was able to get mine made in just one day for $50, right around the new year. I was pretty proud of that! (I’m hesitant to recommend my shop because I’m still testing the shoes out – if they stand the test of time, I’ll be happy to share the shop name.)
Hoi An is a special place, indeed. I very much look forward to going back one day.
* Sunflower Hotel is a great, cheap, social place to stay in Hoi An and the place I chose while I was there.
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Steph (@ 20 Years Hence) says
I think that there’s a mistake with the latter half of this post: Everything from Getting There and on seems to actually be about Tiger Leaping Gorge or something in China, rather than Hoi An!
I actually have to say that Hoi An was not my favorite place in Vietnam, despite all the love it gets from travelers. I found it overly crowded (in Vietnam that is saying something!) and very touristy, like something manufactured for foreigners who can’t really handle the rest of Vietnam.It had charming bits, certainly, but to me it seems like the city revolves around simply trying to get people to buy bespoke clothing and shoes. Certainly there are worse fates for a vacation, but I much preferred Hue a few hours to the north.
Kristin says
OMG. Fail. I didn’t love Hue but I was there at the apex of Tet and everything was closed. Can’t make much of a judgement.
Jenny says
That sunset photo is stunning! I am headed to Vietnam in a few weeks and am looking forward to seeing both Hoi An and Hue so that I can weigh in. Love the dilemma of having two cities close together that people love to choose between. I have to admit I have been having some trouble replacing some of my clothes that i’ve worn out from constant wearings in SE Asia. Many times when I stop to look at a pair of shorts or something that I like the owner of the shop will hurry over to let me know (loudly) that I am too big for any of the clothes in her shop. Looking forward to getting something tailor-made in Hoi An.
Kristin says
Thanks! It’s my favorite one I’ve taken so far this year. Unfortunately things like dresses and pants aren’t THAT cheap but still nice if you can’t find stuff that fits right in Asia (I usually can’t either! Shoes are too small and pants are too short!)
Ruth says
No wonder you love this place. It looks stunning. I knew the town was famous because of its tailors but I didn’t know they were in the shoe business too. Good to know.
Kristin says
I’m a shoe girl so I had to find out!
Helen says
I looooooved Hoi An. Such a lovely place.
Your photos are so lovely too. Really capture the beauty of the place!
Keep having fun lovely!
x
Go Find Yourself Travel says
Love your photos! The HDR effect really adds so much depth to the photo!
Kristin says
Thanks so much! That’s actually not HDR, though 🙂
Daphnee says
Love your blog! It’s been a great guide for our trip in Southeast Asia. Heading to Hoi An in a couple days and were wondering how your shoes were holding on. If you still like them, can you please share the name and location? Thanks for all your help, it’s been a pleasure to read you! -daphnee
Kristin says
The leather isn’t very good quality. I love everything else about them but I’ll be searching for different materials when I go back.
Liza says
I agree, I really enjoyed my time in Hoi An. I was there around the summer solstice and they had an amazing food festival as well. Well done on the shoe choice, I got a dress for around $15 but it soon tattered away after the many handwashing loads it endured while I was backpacking. Hoi An and Vietnam in general was one of my favorite places despite the mixed reviews. Great blog, inspired me to get back on my own blog when I am backpacking again!
Kristin says
I loved Vietnam despite the mixed reviews as well. It’s the mixed reviews places I usually love the most, actually!
Tania says
I love your photos! You mentioned that they aren’t HDR, do you edit them? Or is that just the quality of your camera? 🙂
Kristin says
Thank you! I do edit them. I wrote about how I take my photos here: https://www.bemytravelmuse.com/how-to-take-travel-photos/ 🙂
Kahleel says
I love that photo! I’ll be in Vietnam in December and really wanted to go to Hoi An but was afraid that the weather would be bad because of the time of the year. Too bad bc I’ve heard it’t beautiful.
Kristin says
December is the best time of year in Southeast Asia. What weather were you worried about?
Melissa says
I LOVE hoi an!! It was my favourite part of my trip to Da Nang, and I actually blogged about it too! (https://gutsyadventures.wordpress.com/2014/11/22/the-ancient-town-left-untouched/)
I love the streets at night and even with all the tourists, it was like entering another world from the normal streets. ^^
Serendipity Tess says
HOI AN. I’ve just spent only a few days there. OMG. I’m in love. One of my most favourite places I have ever been to. And I didn’t know you could get shoes done – should I ever settle down (because I live in Flip Flops…it’s all I wear), I would come back to have a pair of boots done for myself. 🙂
Kristin says
I was excited about getting shoes made! I like clothes but I LOVE SHOES.
Rachel says
Hi! I’m going to hoi an next month and would LOVE custom made shoes done, do you mind sharing the name of the shop?
Kristin says
I can’t remember anymore however there are tons of them! Pick the one that has a style and material you like.