by Kate, Drew, and Gwyn Barba

Our three week stay in Hoi An was meant to be a time of rest and recharge before the whirlwind last few months of our trip around the world.  We finished our school work, watched movies, and enjoyed some yummy food while getting to know Hoi An again after nine years away.  (See Hoi An part 1 here) It was incredibly hot and humid, so we didn’t get out to the beaches and shops as much as we expected, but we did find and enjoy some unique activities as a break from school and screen time. Last week Pete told you about our cooking class, now you get to hear the rest of our stories.

Morning Motorcycle Tour

The first was a tour exploring the hidden gems of Hoi An with a local guide and his team of motorcycle drivers.  Ha Nguyen and his friends were fun, safe, and excellent at their jobs.  They showed us the quiet corners of Hoi An where people are still making a living in traditional ways.  By leaving early in the morning we saw activities, and a sunrise, most tourists miss!  By riding on the back of motorcycles with expert drivers we could get where a bus, or even a van, couldn’t go.  Ha’s enthusiasm for traditional culture and the people of Hoi An was infectious.  We highly recommend his early morning tour, and it can be easily adjusted to a private, family experience.

Lantern Craft

Pete and the kids took a lantern making class in Hoi A one evening, while I met up with a friend from home who also happened to be visiting the area. (She distributed Days for Girls kits and menstrual health education to rural areas, minority villages, and women’s shelters.)  The lantern class with Thuy was excellent; all three loved choosing their own fabrics and frame shapes.  They learned it’s not as easy as it looks and are bringing home meaningful mementos.  Thank goodness my friend was generous enough to bring home a suitcase of souvenirs for us!

Banh Mi Tasting

Vietnam had some incredible food. Although it was all amazing, there were two things that when put together really couldn’t be topped: banh mi and a mango smoothie. Although it sounds strange, every time I had both at one meal, I loved it. The banh mi in Vietnam are some of the best sandwiches ever! They are made with a warm baguette, your choice of meat, and topped with delicious pickled vegetables. Every bite you take hits you with a wave of flavor. Sweet, juicy, spicy, and umami, all twirling around in your mouth but never conflicting with each other. If the flavors become too much, you can cool it down with the mango smoothie. It’s rich, creamy, sweet, and incredibly delicious. If you are ever in Vietnam, I highly recommend going to Banh Mi Sum. They had the best banh mi, but they also had an amazing mango mint smoothie that was to die for. You will not be disappointed. The food was wonderful in Vietnam and I can’t wait to go back. -Drew

Cham Island

While diving in Southeast Asia isn’t unknown (looking at you, Thailand), Vietnam is relatively new to tourist divers and the biomes are rich and diverse.  A day in the Cham Island Marine Park was another excellent activity.  We found a quality provider in Tiger Fish Divers.  They provided all transportation, well maintained equipment, plus expert staff.  Everyone from the captain to the dive masters did a great job keeping us informed and comfortable.  I decided to snorkel after an anxious scuba dream, but Pete and the kids had two wonderful dives.  The numbers and variety of fish and coral was excellent and well worth the visit!  After the water play we enjoyed an included delicious lunch and relaxing beach visit on Chong Island.  A perfect day. 

Custom Tailoring

In Vietnam one unique thing you can do is get custom clothing. Mom and I got fancy dresses and we convinced Dad to get a suit.  Drew said NO.

Resort activities

Vietnam has a lot to offer and we recommend several days in Hoi An as you explore this beautiful, friendly, and affordable country.

Thanks for reading to the end.  Next up: Iceland!  Don’t forget to check out our past stories and subscribe for future articles as well.  Find us on Facebook and Instagram for bonus content!  Please note that any links or business names provided are for information only, we did not receive any compensation for our opinions or recommendations. As always, if you are planning a trip to any location we visit we are happy to provide more details and opinions, so feel free to contact us!