May 2018 - Page 2 of 4 - hoianreviews.com

May 29, 2018

Vietnam Dos and Don’ts – Best tips for your Vietnam travel

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Vietnam is a country full of wonders for tourists to explore. However, when you travel to Vietnam, it is important to be aware of the cultural differences. Check out this Vietnam travel guide on tips when traveling in Vietnam and Vietnam do and don’ts to make the best of your Vietnam trip with hoianreviews.

DOs

1. Greet people in native language

One of the things to do in Vietnam is greeting people in Vietnamese. The most basic greetings are ‘Xin Chao’ (Hello), and ‘Cam on’ (Thank you). When making efforts to greet people in their native language, you are much appreciated by the Vietnamese people.

2. Dress modestly in pagodas

Dressing modestly when visiting pagodas, temples or other religious places is on your Vietnam do and don’t list. The basic rule is to cover your knee and shoulder and hide as much bare skin as you can. On the bottom, it is recommended that you wear long trousers or a knee-length-or-longer-skirt. On top, you should choose shirts or blouses that fully cover your shoulder. You should also cover your tattoos when going to these places as locals are quite conservative.

Remember to dress modestly in religious places

3. Bring a map and a hotel card when going out

The narrow streets and complicated traffic system in Vietnam might confuse foreigners when going out. Make sure to bring a local map whenever you are out. You can get the map from the hotel receptionist counter. In addition, you should also bring a hotel card that shows the address of your hotel in case you want to take a motor taxi or taxi to get back to the hotel as most local drivers can’t speak English.

DON’Ts

1. Show off your money and jewelry

On your Vietnam do and don’t list, you should not carry more amount of money than you need and wear too much jewelry when walking around the streets. As flaunting wealth in public is impolite, keeping a low profile is highly recommended. This also reduces the risk of becoming a victim of petty theft.

2. Show affection in public

Don't show affection in public

Despite changes in Vietnam culture, the society is still on the reserved side when it comes to the public display of affection. Outside urban cities such as Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, couples showing affection in public such as kissing and touching may be perceived inappropriate and not be encouraged.

3. Lose your temper in public

As the concept is “saving face” is important in social relationships, you are strongly advised to hold back aggressive behavior and maintain a courteous manner to avoid embarrassment situation to another party. Most importantly, don’t lose your temper in public, keep calm and be cook whenever possible.

4. Point at someone with finger

Pointing at someone with your finger is perceived as rude and offensive.

May 29, 2018

Top 5 Hoian day trips

Hoi An is a wonderful destination that any tourist should visit when traveling to Vietnam. This following post at hoianreviews will suggest some Hoi An day trips that you can explore to make the most of your travel.

1. Hoi An City Tour

Hoi An Ancient Town

The best way to explore this charming town is taking Hoian day trips. During this trip, you will take a relaxing stroll down the narrow ancient streets and beautifully-decorated souvenir shops in Hoi An. You will also be impressed by the fusion of architectural styles of Hoi An when visiting Japanese Covered Bridge and Assembly Halls built by Chinese merchants. In your Hoi An couple tour, don’t forget to admire the rustic scenery of the town by taking a boat tour along Thu Bon River and enjoy the sparking lights in the lantern market when the night falls.

2. Tra Que Village

One of the best things to do in Hoi An is to escape from the crowded Ancient Town and go on Hoian day trips to Tra Que Village. Just about 15 minutes cycling from Hoi An Old Quarter, this peaceful little village is famous for growing vegetables that spice up the daily meals of Hoi An people. Coming here, you will watch the local farming techniques and experience one day being a farmer. More than that, you can also join in a cooking class to make traditional Vietnamese food and then enjoy lunch with local people. These authentic and local experiences in Tra Que Village will definitely make your Hoian day trips unforgettable!

3. Cham Island

Cham Island

If you are a beach lover, why don’t you get off the coast and go on Hoian day trips to Cham Island (or Cu Lao Cham). In the trip to this amazing marine-protected island, you can take part in underwater sports such as snorkeling or scuba-diving to admire the colorful coral reefs or just simply relax on the white sandy beaches. After taking part in these activities, don’t miss the chance to taste the delicious and fresh local seafood. In Cham Island, you can also explore the untamed jungles and local fishing villages. These exciting activities are definitely worth your visit.

4. My Son Sanctuary

My Son Sanctuary

If you are interested in cultural exploration, you can’t forget to pay a visit to My Son Sanctuary. This World Heritage Site is about a 1-hour drive from Hoi An. During the ride, you can witness the peaceful Vietnam countryside and the local village life. My Son Sanctuary is one of the most significant Cham sites that is still well-preserved nowadays in Vietnam. This complex consists of Cham ruins and religious temples. Here, you will have the chance to know more about the history of the site and explore the traditional Cham culture.

May 29, 2018

Hoi An Ancient Town through the canvas painting exhibition

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Hoi An Ancient Town is located right on the banks of Thu Bon River, only 30km south of Danang City. Famous as a busy international trading port in Southeast Asia in the 16th and 17th centuries, Hoi An has recently emerged as a hot name on Vietnam’s tourist site list. Traveling to Hoi An is a must on your trip to Vietnam.

A canvas painting exhibition – a great way to partly admire the beauty of Hoi An Ancient Town

Hoi An on a canvas painting

The canvas painting exhibition shows you all the aspects of life in Hoi An Ancient Town through the time as well as different perspectives of different artists in different generations.

Places to go for the canvas painting exhibition in Hoi An

T&G Art Gallery, No 46 Nguyen Thai Hoc, Hoi An
Hay Hay, No 155 Tran Phu, Hoi An

Through these artworks in oil on canvas, you will feel a sense of nostalgia for the artists, get a snapshot of Hoi An’s history, and partly admire the poetic charm of a historic quarter. From the stunning coastline to the mango-colored alleyways, from the old communal houses, buildings and trading streets to the modern galleries, antique stores, souvenir shops, and restaurants, Hoi An has everything to become a must-visit destination in Vietnam.

A Hoi An day-trip – a great way to fully appreciate the beauty of Hoi An Ancient Town

Going to a canvas painting exhibition to find out about the diverse perspectives of many generations of artists is good, but meeting Hoi An Ancient Town in person is better. What can be better than contemplating an impressive streetscape of the old Vietnamese, Chinese, and Japanese houses, experiencing the unique architecture influenced by that of Vietnam and those of Asian countries or Western nations?

Top things to do in Hoi An

Get custom made items

Get tailor-made clothes in Hoi An

Hoi An is a Mecca for all shoppers, even for those with a mid-range budget and Western tastes and sizes. Like Hanoi capital in the North, Hoi An in the Central region is well-known as the land of cheap tailor-made clothes. Here you are free to design and get your clothes, suits, dresses, handbags, and shoe custom made. Hoi An boutiques are plentiful. Thus, you have uncountable options to have the styles and sizes of dresses that meet your needs.

Check out the local markets

Hoi An market

A trip to the local markets will definitely open your eyes to a plethora of seasonal tropical fruits and fresh vegetables, for example, mangosteen, rambutan, and papaya that cannot be found at grocery stores in your hometown. It is also an amazing chance to go outside, see locals wearing their conical hats, enjoy a wide range of great foods, treat yourself with fresh locally-grown fruits and vegetables, buy some fresh produce, meet new people, and especially support local businesses as well as local farmers. Some of the liveliest markets to visit in Hoi An are Hoi An Central Market, Thanh Ha fishing market, Nguyen Hoang night market, etc.

Feast on Hoi An food specialties

Cao Lau

Hoi An has more than just its well-preserved architecture and structure, its romantic atmosphere, its stunning art, culture, and history. It is also about the delightful things you might have heard about Hoi An’s cuisine. Cao lau, mussel rice (com hen), fried mussels (hen xao), grilled pork with rice paper (banh uot thit nuong), chicken rice (com ga), fried wonton (hoanh thanh), white rose cake (banh bao banh vac), Vietnamese baguette, Quang noodles (mi Quang), khot cake (banh khot), etc. There is no end to what to eat and where to enjoy it. Food is Hoi An’s secret weapon. Its emphasis is on the fresh, seasonal ingredients and the nicely balanced texture, color, and presentation.

Food in Hoi An is not only delicious and varied but also cheap. You can easily have a full meal for only a few dollars.

Hoi An is regarded as a unique cultural heritage site winning the hearts of all travelers thanks to its slow pace of life, the warm welcome of locals, and its enthralling scenery.

May 29, 2018

Top must-eat dishes in Hoi An

Hoi An attracts tourists for many reasons: beautiful sceneries, peaceful town, unique architecture, and culture, etc. And one of the most important reason is cuisine. Hoi An has plenty of food and street food that can blow your mind away with its delicate taste.

Here are top 10 delicious dishes in Hoi An that you cannot miss in your Vietnam food tour.

Pho Hoi chicken rice

Com Ga Pho Hoi

Rice used for this food is carefully selected with a preference of sticky and soft type. Rice will be added ingredients, then boiled with chicken broth and pandan leaves by charcoal. The chicken must be the young, soft but not friable one. The chicken will be boiled, then ripped into small pieces and added onion, fried red onion, salt, black pepper and Vietnamese coriander.

The decoration of this food is very important. Ripped chicken pieces are put on top of rice dish. It is taken with onion, papaya pickle, Tra Que herbs, pepper sauce and soy sauce. Especially, Pho Hoi chicken rice is featured in a soup made by mixed internal organs of the chicken. With a unique, meticulous cooking method and special materials, people in Hoi An created a unique chicken rice, earning foreign visitor’s trust.

Addresses:

Bà Buội Chicken rice – 22 Phan Chu Trinh Street; Sân Đình Chicken rice – 16 Phan Chu Trinh Street; Bà Hương chicken rice – 18 Le Loi Street; Mermaid Restaurant – 2 Tran Phu Street; Cô Ly Restaurant – 22 Nguyen Hue Street; Canh Buom Trang Restaurant – 34 Tran Cao Van Street; Cô Thuận Restaurant – 17/4 Hai Ba Trung Street.

Cao Lầu

Cao Lau

The elders in Hoi An said that Cao Lầu appeared from the 17^th century, during the time Hoi An Port was opened, allowing a lot of foreign traders enter Hoi An. This is the reason why Cao Lầu affected a lot by Chinese Cuisine and a little by Udon noodle of Japanese. However, Cao Lầu keeps one-of-a-kind outstanding features of Hoi An cuisine. This dish can make your Vietnam food tour more special and unforgettable.

Addresses:

Bà Bé Restaurant, Vạn Lộc Restaurant, Trung Bắc Restaurant – Tran Phu Street; Chị Liên Restaurant – Thai Phien Street.

Bánh bao – bánh vạc (White Rose cake)

Banh bao – banh vac

Bánh bao (dumpling) and Bánh vạc are couple cakes with similar materials and processing. The main material is white, sticky rice. Banh vạc is filled in with ground shrimp, mixed with black pepper, garlic, onion and citronella and some other secret ingredients. Bánh bao has pork, jelly ears and sliced onion and secret ingredients inside. The secret ingredients is one of the major reason for the specialty of these two cakes.

Addresses: White Rose restaurant – Nhi Trung Street

Bánh đập

Banh dap

This is the name of a pancake made from rice, including two layers: the roasted crispy layer and the wet sticky layer. When enjoying it, you have to use your hand to beat the crispy layer, making it stick with the wet layer. It is pretty simple food but draws the interest of many people.

Another important part to make a perfect banh dap is the sauce. It is processed from mam cai (a kind of Hoi An fish sauce which is made from the best small fishes in Cua Dai sea). A reasonable mixture of fish sauce, sugar, chilly, onion and cooking oil will make a bowl of delicious sauce. Nothing can replace this sauce when enjoying banh dap.

Addresses: Bánh đập Bà Già (Old Lady Restaurant) – Hamlet 1, Cam Nam commune, Hoi An.

Corn sweetened porridge

Che Bap is made of corn

This sweetened porridge is special because it is made from famous Cam Nam corns. The sweetness of this food comes from the natural and light taste of the corn. Unlike other sweetened porridges of the South, Hoi An corn sweetened porridge doesn’t have coconut milk as the sweet soup, so the only flavor is from the corn. The best time to enjoy Hoi An corn sweetened porridge is between March and September, as the harvest season of Cam Nam corn.

Addresses: Corn sweetened porridge stalls on the bank of Hoai River.

Bánh bèo

Banh beo in Hoi An

Bánh bèo (water fern cake) is mostly made of available local materials, such as pork, shrimp, etc. Although it is a simple ingredient, it can be more specific as the art of making, yet to many Vietnamese people, it is actually the art of enjoying water fern cakes.

A different way to eat banh beo in Hoi An than other places is you have to use a special stick made of bamboo.

Addresses: banh beo is everywhere in Hoi An, but the best is small stalls outside of the ancient quarter such as Cam Chau, Cam Nam.

Mì Quảng (Quang noodle)

Mi Quang

When you ask local people what to eat in Hoi An, they definitely recommend you ‘Mi Quang’. The main ingredients of the dish are noodles, meat, and vegetables. Vegetables are placed atop of a bed of rice noodles in a bowl, then topped with pork, shrimp and finally lukewarm broth and meat are added. Mì Quảng is also served with toasted Vietnamese sesame rice crackers, fried shallot and various herbs common in Vietnamese cuisine such as mint, "rau ram" or laksa leaves, perilla, lettuce … Shrimp and Pork are usually the proteins of choice because of their abundance.

Addresses: Mi Quang is everywhere in Hoi An.

Hoành thánh (Wonton)

Wonton is a Chinese food but it has come into existence in Hoi An for a very long time, therefore, it is adopted as a traditional dish of Hoi An. Wonton is made with rice flour and filled with ingredients such as shrimp, pork, egg, and spices. There are many kinds of wonton dishes, such as fried wonton, wonton soup or wonton and noodle soup.

Addresses: Van Loc restaurant – Tran Phu Street; some small stalls on Thai Phien Street.

Banh Trang (steamed rice rolls)

Banh trang is a very light crepe with ground pork, minced jelly ears, and fried onion, eaten by ham, steamed bean sprouts, and cucumbers. Banh cuon in Hoi An is added with shrimp and eaten with mo hanh (sauce of grease and Welsh onion).

Addresses: The cuisine street on the side of Hoai River.

Banh xeo (Rice pancake)

Banh Xeo

Banh xeo is a very famous dish in Vietnam, but just a few people know that the origin of it is from Hoi An. It is made out of rice flour, water, turmeric powder, stuffed with slivers of fatty pork, shrimp, and bean sprouts and then pan fried. Banh xeo is eaten with fish sauce (mix with water and pepper and lemon) and a lot of herbs. It is a perfect food for the rainy season. In your Vietnam food tour, you can try ‘banh xeo’ in different places across the country to see the differences of ingredients, flavor and also the way of eating.

One of the best impression about Vietnam tour is cuisine. Therefore, when you travel to Hoi An or any place in Vietnam, let’s try the food there and create wonderful memories for your trip.

May 29, 2018

Vietnam honeymoon tour

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At Hoian, young couples can have a chance to spend time with each other, leaving behind all thinking or planning. Arrive in Hoian, there will be car picks them up to Hoian ancient town. Marriage couple will enjoy their private time with Palm Garden Resort which is the ideal resort of Hoian. They can also spend the whole day at the resort on its private beach. Swimming in the beautiful pool and enjoying romantic delicious dinners is the best idea.

Palm Garden Resort

Cannot living only at the resort, lovers can go to some beautiful tourist attractions. There are activities for couples:

Hoian is an ancient town of Vietnamese, located at the lower section of Thu Bon River. It is known to be the only traditional port city of South East Asia. Nowadays, the whole ancient pagodas, streets, houses, etc. are still preserved. Throughout history, hundreds of traditional custom, religion, traditional food remain along with every generation living in Hoian. Nowadays, Hoian becomes one of the most attractive tourist attractions in Vietnam. It can say that Hoian honeymoon tour is the best honeymoon tour in Vietnam.

Going for a sight-seeing in Hoian, there isn’t just an old town; Hoian ancient town is a town with hundreds of famous vestiges. A couple can go for a stroll on old streets, buy some souvenir for their Hoian honeymoon tour.

Lantern Workshop in Hoian – one of the most favorite souvenir of Hoian

Thu Thuy silk shop is the most prestigious tailor in town that can make your suit within a day with great quality. People can come there to place an order and receive during the day. While waiting for their clothes to be finished, the intimate couple will have lunch at Cargo Club located right in the town. At here they can enjoy the beautiful scenery of Thu Bon River. After that, they have relaxing and romantic dinner in the private atmosphere with candlelight at the resort.

Thu Thuy silk shop – the most prestigious tailor’s in town

The next day, people can wander around, buy something or explore My Son Sanctuary, one of the five world heritages of Vietnam. Having lunch at Morning Glory restaurant, couples can savor famous and delicious food of Hoian. Tours for couples also bring you lots of interesting experiences. We will carry you and your lover on a pedicab in the afternoon, to put you two in the peaceful moments. Then let the lovebirds float on Thu Bon River on a boat. Guys can enjoy the fresh air and contemplate the dim yet beautiful sunset. Your honeymoon will be special than ever.

Morning Glory restaurant serves famous and delicious food of Hoian

On the third day, you two can spend all of the precious daytime with each other. There will be a motorbike prepared for couple at the resort. The honeymoon will be even more meaningful if they can ride it to everywhere they want before checking out the next day. An excursion by motorbike to the peaceful countryside with fine fields along Thu Bon Riverside is the best thing during the tour. You can also ride it from Hoian to Da Nang to visit Ngu Hanh Son (Five Marble Mount) – a famous destination in this central city. After all day long traveling by motorbike, couples can return the resort to relax and sleep.

Ngu Hanh Son – famous remains

Finishing exploring Hoian, end of your honeymoon tour in Hoian. After breakfast and checking out, we will transfer you to the airport to take the departure flight. The comfortable and romantic atmosphere of your resort in Hoian, discovering Hoian together during Vietnam honeymoon tour in Hoian will be unforgettable memories in the couple’s mind.

May 29, 2018

Talking about Central Vietnam’s cuisine – The rumor about Hoian cooking class is true

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Hoian, the beautiful ancient town of Vietnam, has long been a well-known destination for the tourists both inside and outside the country. People tend to associate this old town with the images of paper lanterns, Chinese and Japanese styled houses, a peaceful river running in the city.

But do you know that the food here is too good to be forgotten as well? In fact, tasting the local dishes is one of the top things to do in Hoian.

The gorgeous Hoian at night

Cao lau

Cao lau is considered as a signature dish of Hoian. Hardly does anyone come to this ancient town without trying cao lau for once. It’s actually a kind of Vietnamese vermicelli but bears no resemblance to the famous bun cha, or Hanoi rice vermicelli that you usually hear of.

A bowl of cao lau typically consists of noodles, pork, vegetable and a solid broth. There is only a small amount of the broth, and the visitors just need to mix it well with other ingredients to enjoy the dish. The essence of cao lau lies in the noodles. The water used to make the noodles is taken from Ba Le well created thousands of years ago by Cham residents. The vegetable is from Tra Que village, including lettuce, bean sprouts, cilantro and some other herbs. To finish, a cao lau bowl is topped with fried pork rind. You can add some chili to the dish if you want it to be spicy. Cao lau has many flavours: sour, sweet, bitter.

Cao lau – the pride of Hoian cuisine

Charcoal grilled pork skewers

Grilled pork is not something new. But in Hoian, pork is grilled in charcoal kept burning by constant hand fanning. First, the pork is marinated in a special mixture of salt, brown sugar, garlic, onion, lemongrass, uncooked sesame, cashew nut powder, and vegetable oil. Seasoned at least 2 hours, this pork is then wrapped around bamboo skewers and grilled on charcoal. The pork is served with vegetable, soy paste, Vietnamese rice cake and rice paper. Unlike cao lau, pork skewers are often sold in food vendors along the river banks. Sitting on colorful plastic chairs and enjoy this delicious dish is quite a way to experience the culinary culture of the local people.

A full set of charcoal grilled pork

Vietnamese bread

Yes, it’s Banh mi! Vietnamese bread is famous all around the world. In Vietnam, its ingredients vary according to the local tastes. Hoian bread surely fits the taste of Hoian people, but moreover, it satisfies almost all the visitors coming to Hoian. In this old town, there are two Vietnamese bread stores whose reputation has spread around the globe: Phuong Bread and Madam Khanh Bread (The Banh Mi Queen).

Hoian bread attracts the tourist thanks to all home-made ingredients. Pate is made from carefully-chosen pork liver, herbs are from Tra Que village, the sauce is made following a secret recipe for many generations. Even the bread is well-baked with the layer being aways warm and crispy. Bite through that crust, you’ll feel the hot sauce pour out, combining with the fresh cut ingredients inside. Yum!

Madam Khanh Bread – best sandwich globally

Hoian chicken rice

Eating Hoian chicken rice is the last dish that I want to introduce for the best tour with your family.

Like other places, chicken rice here also includes rice, boiled chicken, and vegetable. The chickens are those who have only laid eggs once. That’s to make sure the chicken is firm and fragrant. Rice was harvested for at least one year ago. The raw vegetable is taken from the famous Tra Que village.

When the guests come, the owner will take out the rice and lay it with raw vegetable salad and chicken. At the top, the cook bastes some broth. When you eat, you may add a little chili sauce, then mix all the ingredients together.

Hoian chicken rice has existed for over one century and been through many ups and downs of Vietnam history. Yet somehow the flavour has been well-preserved so that today we can enjoy the dish when traveling to Hoian.

Madam Buoi’s Hoian chicken rice

Now you see why Hoian is sometimes called the new culinary town of Vietnam. Next time if you travel to Central Vietnam, come to Hoian and enjoy these amazing dishes at super reasonable prices!

May 29, 2018

Cao Lau – The pride of Hoi An cuisine

There is an obvious truth that anyone who has ever come to Hoi An has definitely tasted this delicious specialty!

Cao Lau Hoi An

Discussing dishes in the ancient town of Hoi An, no one can skip the Cao Lau. On fairly cold Tet Holiday (Vietnamese New Year), it is not difficult for us to see old eateries, stewardesses and the "Cao Lau" in the menu. Cao Lau has long been mentioned as the typical food contributing to the soul of the cuisine still lingers old stature of Hoi An.

In essence, what is a Cao Lau? It is a noodle that has long been considered as one of the must-eat dishes in Hoi An. This food has yellow noodles, served with shrimp, pork, and vegetables. Just like Quang noodle, Cao Lau is eaten with very little broth. A special feature of this Vietnam cuisine is the yellow noodles, which are mixed with the ash wood, which is taken from the Cham Island.

The origin of the name "Cao Lau"

One of Cao La restaurants in Hoi An

According to the local people who are living in Hoi An for a long time, Cao Lau has appeared in the old town since the 17th century, when Hoi An port was established and Lord Nguyen allowed foreign merchant ships to trade here. Although the Japanese have been in Hoi An before, the new Chinese are the longest anchor character on this “age-old” land.

Cao Lau is neither a vermicelli (rice noodles) nor a beef noodle soup (called Vietnamese Pho). This dish is considered a mixed dish, only appeared in Hoi An, Da Nang and Hue. Cao Lau is usually sold in the two-storey restaurants, on which hang red lanterns. Customers come here not only for eating but also enjoying the delicate aroma of ancient dishes. Besides, they also have the opportunity to be satisfied with the peaceful air and feel relax in the ancient town.

Hoian – ancient town

The name "Cao Lau" is always a question for inbound or outbound travelers whenever experiencing the ancient features of Hoi An. This kind of Vietnam cuisine is not native to China, nor to Japan. It can be said that this is a composite of many ethnic groups. In addition, this interesting name may originate from the Chinese, it means “the finest of food”. The wealthy people when going to the restaurants in Hoi An often choose to sit on the floor, this dish is familiar to "let’s go upstairs" (Cao means: high and Lau means upstairs). Therefore, to make it shorter, people usually call it “upstairs” (Cao Lau) instead of the long sentence.

Coming to Hoi An, thrill to the gastronomic soul of the old town

Although there are some similarities with Quang style noodles, Cao Lau is a much more elaborate dishes. To make the color of noodle yellow and delicious, we have to use ashes cooked from marinated rice in Cham island to create a new crispy and special fluff. The water mill must be taken from Ba Le well, which is known for its non-alum, cool water. In order to make it more scrumptious and flavorful, people usually add a little pigskin or fried and crispy noodles.

Cao Lau noodles are yellow or brown. What makes it special? It doesn’t include broth, but rather a flesh, fatty, greasy greens, pork fat. To make fried pork, local people usually opt for pork boiled lean meat, marinated spices and the special sauce called “five flavors”. Pork fat is also an exotic raw material, made of crispy pork skin, now replaced by high-fiber flour. In addition to “transform” to aroma flavor, which is also a bit like Quang style noodles, the great cook also added roasted peanuts. These dishes are placed on above of Cao Lau bowl. When the sauce is poured on the bottom, who likes to eat flavorsome can add a little more home-made fish sauce.

Cham island in Hoian

Stepping out of Hoi An ancient land, the Cao Lau has changed a little more, the ancient atmosphere also faded away. Only in Hoi An, this Vietnamese cuisine has enough flavor of a delicate and antique central dish. It is said that the well water of Ba Le and the ashes of Cham island and Tra Que new vegetables make this dish typical.

On top of above, with innovative ways and means of cooking, chefs have created a variety of delicious dishes catering to the needs of the people. Especially, Hoian cooking classes will create the culinary characteristics of the dishes that is the Cao Lau of Hoi An with new style according to the original taste of Quang will help you enjoy one of the special dishes of Vietnam by foreigners. This dish is considered frugal, suitable for many people's taste. When you travel to Vietnam, remember to go to the Hoian local kitchen to try this!

Hoian cooking class

Last but not least, the followings are the suggestions for the best Cao Lau restaurants:

+ Thanh Cao Lau, 26 Thai Phien street

+ Khong Gian Xanh Cao Lau, 687 Hai Ba Trung Street

+ 2 Toan Cao Lau, 27 Phan Chau Trinh street, etc

hoianreviews hopes you guys will enjoy your trip as well as the pride of Hoi An – Cao Lau.

May 29, 2018

A Central Vietnam Tour in 7 days

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A 7-day tour to Central Vietnam is very favored by both domestic and international tourists because of the greatness it brings. Only a week on this land, visitors can visit a lot of national historical relics, famous landscapes and understand more about the cultural identity of Vietnam.

There are various attractive tourist destinations in Central Vietnam, however, up to now, Da Nang, Hoi An, Hue, Quang Binh have always been on top of the must-visit destinations list for your Vietnam tours in general and Central Vietnam tours in particular.

Day 1: Ngu Hanh Son – Hoi An Ancient Town

Your Vietnam Tour 7 days will start from hectic Da Nang City. In the morning, whenever you come to Da Nang, our staffs will be willing to welcome you and take you to the hotel. Then, you officially start the exciting journey of discovery. The very first destination is Ngu Hanh Son – also known as Non Nuoc Mountain.

After about 30 minutes traveling by car, you stop by Hoa Hai Ward. Here, you will visit a limestone mountain range located in the center of the city. Local people often call it with a much more familiar name – Non Nuoc Mountain. Tourists will conquer 108 steps of Mount Thuy Son to visit the Linh Ung Non Nuoc Pagoda – one of three ancient Linh Ung pagodas in Da Nang.

Tourists will gather at the foot of the mountain to visit Non Nuoc Stone Village. Here, visitors can learn about the traditional stone sculpture of Vietnam, contemplate the sophisticated works, buy necessary stone items for your daily lives.

After a few hours of sightseeing in Ngu Hanh Son, the delegation left to visit Hoi An Ancient Town. At night, enjoying specialties of Hoi An in a restaurant will definitely help you have a wonderful dinner. Then, visitors will have a chance to wander around the charming Hoi An Town to discover interesting things here. The soul of the old town is well preserved in every scene of nature, every local’s activity, which will leave you unforgettable impressions.

Hoi An Ancient Town at night

After being immersed in the ancient cultural space in Hoi An, visitors will get in the car to return to the beautiful Da Nang City. Visitors will rest at a hotel in Da Nang.

Day 2: Ba Na Hills – Fantasy Park

In the morning, visitors are able to use buffet breakfast at the hotel to have enough energy for a long day exploring. Our staffs will pick you up at the hotel. The car will go along the coastal road of Nguyen Tat Thanh to get to that the foot of Ba Na Mountain, which is about 25km away from the city.

After free time to take pictures at the mountain foot and enjoy the special music water show, the delegation will get on the cable car to the peak. Visitors get off at Debay Station. Here, Ba Na with breathtaking natural scenery as in the middle of the heaven warmly welcomes you. Here, visitors can visit Linh Ung Ba Na Pagoda, the second Linh Ung pagoda in Da Nang. Then, visitors will continue to travel by a cable car to reach the most visited area in Ba Na Hills.

Cable cars to Ba Na Hills

At noon, tourists will have lunch with all dishes cooked by expert chefs in a luxurious restaurant. After lunch, visitors can rest at the restaurant or be free to have a tour around the French Village.

In the afternoon, the delegation will visit the Fantasy Park. This is where visitors are totally immersed in the adventures of the famous characters to experience interesting games in this world-level amusement park. Here, visitors can also have a look at the dinosaur forest, the wax exhibition, etc. Then, the car will leave Ba Na and take tourists back to the city center.

At night, visitors can have dinner at the restaurant with local specialties. After that, you are free to explore Da Nang City at night. You can explore the Asian Park, visit Helio or take part in fascinating activities along Han River, etc.

Day 3: Cu Lao Cham

In the morning, visitors will have buffet breakfast prepared by the hotel. After that, our staffs will pick you up at the hotel, departing for a Cu Lao Cham day tour.

At Cua Dai Port, high-speed canoes will bring travelers to the wild Cu Lao Cham. Then, you will start the journey to visit famous places in Cu Lao Cham, such as the Hai Tang Ancient Temple, the sea museum, Cham ancient wells, etc.

After that, you can change costume, go to the beach to swimming, diving for coral viewing. Cu Lao Cham sea with blue sky will completely remove all fatigues of life, make you feel peaceful than ever.

Cu Lao Cham

At noon, visitors have lunch with fresh seafood. Then, you are free to go shopping at locals shop on the island. In the afternoon, tourists will prepare to come back to the mainland. Our car will welcome and take you to your hotel in Da Nang to rest. At night, you continue to explore Da Nang with various exciting activities here.

Day 4: Mud bath & spa

In the morning, after having breakfast at the hotel, our staffs will take you to a new destination. Here you can experience a unique service: Mud bath & spa. It will certainly bring you moments of absolute relaxation, health recovery, etc.

Mud bath and spa

At noon, you are able to enjoy the specialty of Da Nang. In the restaurant, you are free to rest, take photos or buy souvenirs for families and friends. In the afternoon, visitors will go to the beach or visit some famous boutique shops in Da Nang.

After that, you will have dinner at the restaurant and continue to enjoy activities of this coastal city at night. Our staffs will take you back to the hotel to rest and prepare for a new day.

Day 5: Hue

After having breakfast, you will continue your tour. On the 5^th day of this exciting 7-day journey to Central Vietnam, you will come to the city full of dreams – Hue Imperial City. On the way, you will stop at Lang Co Bay, visit the famous Ngoc Trai Village. Visitors are able to watch the shining pearl jewelery and even buy some for yourselves.

Arriving in Hue, tourists will get to the Chau Chu Mountain Foot to visit Khai Dinh Tomb, where the 12^th King of the Nguyen Dynasty was buried. At noon, the delegation will have lunch at the restaurant with Hue specialties to learn more about Hue cuisine. After that, you can rest at the restaurant to stay healthy for an afternoon excursion.

In the afternoon, our car will take you to the center of Hue to visit the Old Citadel. In this magnificent palace, our guides will tell you stories about Kings. After visiting the place of the Nguyen Kings, you will be taken to Ha Khe Hill to visit Thien Mu Pagoda. This ancient pagoda is also called by the other name – Linh Mu. Up to now, Thien Mu has still held spiritual values in the lives of local people.

Hue Imperial City

After that, you will go back to the hotel and have a rest. You will have dinner at about 7 pm. Then, you will have a free night in Hue. Tourists can enjoy traditional music on Huong River, wander around the city, etc. At night, you come back to your hotel in Hue to rest and wait for a new day of the journey.

Day 6: Quang Binh – Hue

In the morning, everyone departs to visit Dong Hoi – Quang Binh. You will visit well-known monuments such as Quang Tri Citadel, Ben Hai River, Hien Luong Bridge to learn more about the stages in Vietnam history. Once arrive in Dong Hoi, you will stop for lunch with local specialties.

In the afternoon, you will begin the journey to explore the Thien Duong Cave. It has been considered as the marvelous cave in Phong Nha – Ke Bang Nation Park, inscribed on the World Heritage List in 2003 by UNESCO. This majestic and charming cave will attract the visitors at the very first sight. After a visit, you will return to Hue City and enjoy dinner. At night, you will continue to freely explore this city.

Inside Thien Duong Cave

Day 7: Dong Ba Market

After breakfast as usual, our car will take tourists along the north bank of Huong River to visit Dong Ba Market. This traditional market has long existed in Hue City and still served as the largest commercial center in Thua Thien. Here, you are free to visit, go shopping for souvenirs.

Dong Ba Market

Depending on your departure plan, our staffs and car will see you at the airport in Hue City or Da Nang City. Your Vietnam tour 7 days will end with the joy and satisfaction of everyone.

May 29, 2018

Hoi An – the wonderful city

Hoi An is famous for its very own unique character. Taking Hoi An is a good recommendation from Vietnam local tour operators. For visitors who visit this city for the first time, hoianreviews suggests you some Vietnam local guides and best tips when traveling in Hoi An.

When should we travel Hoi An?

The climate in Hoi An is divided into two distinct rainy and dry seasons. Each season has its own characteristics. However, according to the experience of Hoi An tourism self-sufficiency that we synthesize, you should go to Hoi An at the following time:

The14th day of the lunar month – the best time to travel Hoi An:

The best time to travel Hoi An

It will be extremely astonishing, very majestic if you approach Hoi An at this time. By the day of this full moon, all the families in the ancient town of Hoi An will turn off the lights and light lanterns. Therefore, you will be admired a most mysterious beautiful scene. Not only that, the festival, the extraordinary performances will not make you regret coming to Hoi An around this time.

The appropriate time to travel to Hoi An

February to April:

Around this time, the weather in Hoi An is especially cool and pleasant. It is suitable for those who want to come here to relax.

May to July:

May to July is near the end of the dry season in Hoi An. The weather is transcendent for you to go to Cu Lao Cham. This period of time is also the ideal time to travel to Hoi An. You can participate many excursion activities at this time.

October to December:

If you want to experience a boat rowing in An Hoi ancient town, come here at this time. Because this is the beginning of the rainy season in Hoi An, the old town is submerged in water. People have to travel by boat. However, your travel plans will be blocked by the rain. Therefore, before traveling Hoi An in the rainy season. you should think proper.

Transportation to travel to Hoian:

A bus in Hoi An

You can travel to Hoi An by plane and car. However, Hoi An has no airport or train station. Therefore, tourists have to arrive at Da Nang airport. The tourists can travel to Da Nang by plane, train, car or motorcycle. If traveling by plane to Da Nang International Airport, you can take a taxi to Hoi An. Da Nang is about 30km away from Hoi An so it takes about 20 – 30 minutes to go there.

If traveling by train to Danang Railway Station, visitors can take the bus to Hoi An, about 20 minutes with a trip. If traveling by car, visitors can stop at some bus stations in Hoi An city or directly to the attractions.

After arriving in Hoi An, travelers can choose which transportation to travel in the inner city depending on their preferences and needs. If you want to visit the Old Quarter you can walk or rent a bicycle. Travelers who like to experience something new can rent cyclo tour around Hoi An.

With tourist spots away from the city, visitors should rent a motorbike or car to get around. If you have a chance, try to take a boat trip on the Hoai River in the evening, buy some lantern and float it on the water.

The prominent tourist spots in Hoi An

Where should you go when traveling to Hoi An? You have a wide variety of places to choose from, both in and out of Hoi An. Vietnam local tour operator also suggests you some famous places in Hoi An that you should not miss.

Let's start the trip to Hoi An with interesting destinations in the city. If you think Hoi An ancient town is the only place to visit in Hoi An, you should think again. Because the city center also has dozens of points to visit. Typical examples include:

Fujian Temple (Kim An Pagoda)
Bridge Pagoda (Japanese Bridge, Lai Vien Kieu): Hoi An ancient town center.
Museum clusters: Museum of folklore, Museum of Hoi An cultural history, Hoi An trade museum, Sa Huynh culture museum.
Ancient house clusters: Quan Thang ancient house, Tan Ky ancient house, Phung Hung ancient house.
Traditional arts and crafts showroom, the legendary wall at Hoang Van Thu street, the ancient wells in Hoi An

Attractions around Hoi An:

Cu Lao Cham island
An Bang beach
Cua Dai beach
Vietnam trade villages cluster: Kim Bong Carpentry Village, Thanh Ha Pottery Village, Tra Que Herb Village, etc.

May 29, 2018

The most flawless voyage with Vietnam luxury tours

An-ideal-place-to-relax-at-Anhuy-Villa-helloVietnam1517453103

Traveling to Hoi An to immerse yourself in culture space and explore the unique features of Hoi An. The guests can also experience the comfortable moments and enjoy the opulence of the luxury hotels and resorts at here. The tourists could not ignore below luxury spots.

1. Royal Hoi An Mgallery Collection Hotel

The Royal Hoi An Mgallery Collection, located at 39 Dao Duy Tu Street, Hoi An Ancient Town.Here is convenient to go to Nguyen Tat Thanh Bus Station (1.1 Km), suitable for shopping, sightseeing and discover the unique culture of Hoi An ancient town. The Royal Hoi An Hotel Mgallery Collection is one of the hotels near Hoi An ancient town and is well-suited for exploring popular tourist destinations.

From here, the visitors can easily to take pleasure in touring the city's top attractions: Japanese Bridge (0.6 Km), Mango Rooms restaurant (9-minute by foot), The Cargo Club restaurant (0.7 Km), Lounge Bar (0.7 Km).

The Royal Hoi An Mgallery Collection, one of the most luxurious hotels in Hoian

The Royal Hoi An Hotel Mgallery Collection is the top luxury hotel in Hoian Ancient Town. The rooms are fully equipped with modern amenities such as free Wi-fi in all rooms, 24-hour security, daily room, fax machine, gift shop. In-room facilities include internet access – wireless (complimentary), non-smoking rooms, air conditioning, alarm clock.

In addition, guests can enjoy the relaxing atmosphere of the hot tub, fitness room, sauna, outdoor swimming pool, diving. All of these make the homey moments as you are at home.

2. Anantara Hoi An Resort

Anantara Hoi An Resort is located at 1 Pham Hong Thai, Hoian Ancient Town, next to the Thu Bon River on Hoi An Street. With an advantage position, from Anantara Hoi An Resort, visitors can effortlessly visit ancient temples, historic bridges, museums and ancient houses. If you are looking for a hotel in Hoi An which is near Cua Dai Beach, Anantara Hoi An Resort is an ideal choice, from the hotel to Cua Dai beach about 5km.

The modern swimming pool at Anantara Hoi An Resort

In particular, Anantara Hoi An Resort is a five-star hotel in Hoi An was awarded as the best resort in Vietnam. With full, modern facilities and services such as cafes, restaurants, bars, boat tours, and bike rental or soaking in the hotel's swimming pool, massage services are offered at the resort. The resort offers visitors the most relaxing moments. Anantara Hoi An Resort is a good value hotel in Hoi An, cannot miss on your trip.

3. Anhuy Villa

Anhuy Villa is one of the 3-star hotels in Hoi An with high quality and nice view. Located at 447 Hai Ba Trung Street, Hoi An Ancient Town, it is conveniently located by Nguyen Tat Thanh Bus Station within 8 minutes by foot. From Anhuy Villa, it is propitious to visit the must-see destinations in Hoian luxury tours as Hoi An Hospital, Phac Hat Pagoda, Tran Dynasty Church and discovers the lively beauty of the city at all corners.

An ideal place to relax at Anhuy Villa

Anhuy Villa is designed for both leisure and business travelers. The hotel offers free Wi-fi in all rooms, Wi-Fi in public areas, car park, room service, and airport shuttle to guarantee the comfort of their guests. The hotel's outdoor pool, garden are ideal places to relax and unwind after a busy day. Anhuy Villa is an ideal place to stay for travelers who are seeking charm, comfort, and convenience in Hoi An.

4. Almanity Hoi An Resort and Spa

The Almanity Hoi An Resort and Spa is located at 326 Ly Thuong Kiet, Hoi An Ancient Town.

The luxurious beauty of Almanity Hoi An Resort and Spa at night

Although not a cheap hotel in Hoian, Almanity Hoian Resort and Spa always offers discounted rooms with many incentives for visitors. The hotel provides all the amenities, satisfy the most grumpy tourists, each guestroom features amenities such as non-smoking rooms, air conditioning, daily newspaper, luggage storage, Wi-Fi in public areas. In particular, after hours of sightseeing guests are used recreational facilities such as fitness room, sauna, outdoor swimming pool, indoor pool, spa.

Besides, there are many luxury hotels, resorts of homestays in Hoian. Most of them provide the best services at the suitable cost. Thus, visitors can rest assured to choose a place where to stay in Hoian and enjoy the most wonderful vacation with our Vietnam luxury tours.