Hoi An: Where lanterns shine and dreams are customised

It's midnight, the sleeper bus is driving over bumpy roads and I'm staring out of the small window into the darkness. Eighteen hours of travelling lie ahead of me and somewhere between the flickering of the streetlights and the hum of the engine, I wonder whether this long journey will be worth it. With 580'000 dong (approx. 20chf) less in my pocket and a slight tingle of excitement, I finally fell asleep.

When the bus stops in Hoi An the next morning, I am greeted by the gentle morning air. Still a little tired but full of anticipation, I checked into my hostel. It was the first time I had slept in a 12-bed dorm and to be honest, I wasn't sure whether I wanted to stay at first. But this hostel quickly convinced me otherwise. The Snapstay Hostel in Hoi An is an absolute heartfelt recommendation! The warm atmosphere of the owner and the staff, the cleanliness and the well thought-out room layout made me feel very comfortable despite the shared room. Three enclosed showers, three toilets and a huge terrace made the stay pleasant and relaxing. It was definitely one of my best hostel experiences so far.

Over the next few days, I explored the charming little town of Hoi An. Unfortunately, it rained a lot at the beginning but that wasn't a problem - Hoi An is known for its tailoring and so I spent the first few days shopping. You can have customised clothes made here and the tailors do really impressive work. I had blazers, trousers, tops and much more tailored for me - all at absolutely fair prices. You can choose the design yourself and the fitting takes place the very next day. If any adjustments are needed, they are made immediately and a day later you have your new clothes in your hands.

Fortunately, the weather cleared up in the following days so that I was able to go on one of the most popular excursions in Hoi An: the famous coconut boat trip. A small traditional boat took me across the river to a small village, where I boarded one of the typical round coconut boats. The trip was relaxing and fascinating at the same time. Back in Hoi An in the evening, the city was transformed into a magical sea of lights. The lanterns hanging everywhere bathed the alleyways in a warm light. You can light a candle and place it on the river. The night market comes to life and the many food stalls offer an incredible variety of local specialities.

Hoi An has so many different sides: The tranquillity it exudes, the vibrant colours of the city, the friendliness of the people, the smells of the street food and the impressive tailor shops that can create anything from clothes to shoes. But no matter how much more I could tell you, there are things you simply have to experience for yourself. Maybe Hoi An is waiting for you to tell you its own story?