Shopping Heaven in Hoi An, Vietnam
We weren’t even going to stop in Hoi An originally. Then we decided we would spend a quick two days, and then as we ran into the New Year (when everything closes down) it became four nights…but we could have stayed 4 more.
Hoi An is another World Heritage Site. It was given the distinction mostly for being another charming town on a river. It’s mostly known for having a few pretty little temples, and then the tailors…
Our enthusiastic tailor suits up Tim
The greatest thing is not only the amazing value, but I underestimated how fun it was getting custom dresses made. I was ecstatic to have a dress that fit me everywhere! I went back to her two more times to get dresses made for other people because I was having so much fun mixing and matching fabrics and styles. Tim was starting to worry that he may have to stage an intervention.
Once we had decided to order clothes we knew we were shipping a box home, and at that point I looked at what else Hoi An has on offer – and the custom clothes isn’t the only good deal. They have everything from polo shirts, jewelry, and gallery paintings for the best prices we had seen anywhere in Southeast Asia. Even Tim enjoyed shopping around for deals, because everything was so reasonable!
We enjoyed Hoi An because of more than just the shopping though. Hoi An has amazing temples, both modern and ancient, and we were there for Tet (New Years). There was a show, fireworks and all out party on the River! Celebrating Tet was a blast because it’s the holiday equivalent of finding a $20 bill you didn’t know you had. We just showed up, and let the Vietnamese show us how Tet’s done – and we had no complaints.
Chinese Meeting Hall
Ancient "My Son" (9th Century)
These people know how to do fireworks
There's nothing like a Vietnamese Ballad
I would like to think Tim and I will visit Hoi An again someday, and when we do, I will be bringing an empty suitcase.
“Getting lost is an opportunity for adventure and discovery – this is particularly true when shopping, searching for love or on vacation.”
Michael Flocker
On The Banana Pancake Trail 
Mar 18, 2011 @ 14:57:29
OMG Robin you look gorgeous in that dress!!! The vietnamese ballad looks hilarious…..can’t wait to see you guys relatively soon…
Mar 18, 2011 @ 16:32:35
Hi Tim & Robin,
It looks like a fun place. Maybe Dad & I can go with you when you go back.
Looking forward to seeing you both soon 🙂 We love you!!!!
Mar 18, 2011 @ 16:50:49
Hoi An is just an awesome little, as well as little known, town. One of my favorites on earth!!!
Mar 18, 2011 @ 21:31:24
Stunning ! Amazing ! What a find. And the stories just go on and on … like true love.
Coming home any time soon ?
Love, Grandma & Grandpa, FL xoxo
Mar 21, 2011 @ 00:41:20
Hope you had the opportunity to play “bài chòi” during your visit to Hội An.. The Vietnamese version of bingo, you may have seen it played down by the river bridge. The of course there is always the old standby game of “break the pot” which I think the Vietnamese copied from the Mexican Pinata game!
Enjoyed the blog post, thanks
Mar 22, 2011 @ 06:57:57
We definitely saw them breaking pots. We saw them playing a game that is played on a checker/chess board a lot I’m not sure if that is “Bai Choi”…whenever they played there were always 20 or so people standing over one or two people who were sitting and playing.
Nov 22, 2012 @ 21:58:21
Hello ! I would like to know how long it took for them to finish your dress?
Thank you !
Nov 25, 2012 @ 01:37:21
Emilie – I think you can usually have it done within 48 hours (maybe less if you’re willing to pay or business is slow), it will depend on the shop, but you should tell them your time frame as part of the negotiation process.