Walk Hoi an at night for quirky delights

Indochina encapsulates the three neighbouring countries of Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos. It covers a total area of over 740,000 square kilometres, stretching south from the Chinese border and as far west as the Thai and Burmese borders. The countries have incredibly varied landscapes and climate from the relative winter cold of Hanoi in the north, to the tropical climate of Saigon and Phnom Penh in the southern reaches of the peninsula. Each country has its own highlights from the amazing temple complex of Angkor Wat in Cambodia to the UNESCO heritage sites of Hoi An in Vietnam and Luang Prabang in Laos.

Hoi An, once one of the busiest trading ports in Southeast Asia, is now a well-preserved patch of Vietnam’s history, now selling goods to visitors rather than merchants. The fascinating architecture gives an insight into the town’s mixed heritage, with French and Dutch colonial houses squeezed between delicate Chinese tea houses and Japanese temples. Running alongside old canals are intimate Vietnamese cafés, museums, tailors and open-fronted shops. Many of the Old Town’s streets are pedestrian-only, making them a pleasure to wander through and the Chinese quarters are easy to spot for their wooden signboards gilded with Chinese characters.

February to May tends to be the best time of year to visit Hoi An, with clear skies and warm sunshine galore. It can get very hot between June and August, and the rainy season runs from September until January.

Hoi An is famous for its buzzing nightlife, with infamous markets running most nights and frequent celebrations lighting up the dark. The city celebrates the rise of the full moon each month, when lights are switched off and streets are lit up with seemingly endless bright paper lanterns. Vietnamese New Year, known as Tet, is also a huge celebration with many visitors and locals wandering the old town, lit with lanterns and floating lights on the canals. Shops and restaurants tend to close for Tet, but some remain open in Hoi An.

Open from 5pm until 11pm, the Hoi An night market is a particularly special destination for anyone who visits this electrifying city. Prepare to be immersed in the bustling rows of clothes, accessories, crafts, trinkets and shoes as you breathe in the unique smells of the delicious and authentic dishes surrounding you. Do not forget your camera as you will want to remember the glowing sight of lanterns floating on the canals and hanging from every door – you can even buy one to take home with you.

Located in front of the Japanese Bridge, Nguyen Hoang Night Market is considered the most famous market in Hoi An and hosts numerous pottery stalls from the nearby Thanh Ha Pottery Village, one of the oldest pottery villages in Vietnam. The beautiful pieces are incredibly delicate and detailed while the price is extremely reasonable.

For those more into their food, Cong Nu Ngoc Hoa Food Night Market is known as the cuisine capital of the night market scene. The food here is rustic, delicious and cheap. Gather around tiny tables and sample delicious specialties as you people-watch among the streets. Expect to taste cao lau, banh mi, Quang noodle, water fern cake and Vietnamese spring rolls, to name just a few dishes you’ll encounter!

For a bit of fun, join in a game of Bai Choi, a Vietnamese folk game that first appeared in Hoi An 400 years ago. Every Saturday evening, this game is held on the bank of Hoai River, when actors and actresses teach locals the rules and encourage them to join in. This will certainly be an experience you’ll remember!

If you’re not ready to go home just yet, step onboard one of the many boats cruising up and down the river and settle back into watching the lights all around you. If you time your trip right, you can also join the local tradition of setting your own lantern out onto the water. On the 1st and 15th every month in the lunar calendar, locals gather to light up a lantern, make a wish and set them afloat on the Hoai River, in search of luck and happiness.