Playtimes HK Magazine September 2017 Issue | Page 62

personal gondola from
which to watch the sun’s
last rays of the day being
slowly replaced by Hoi An’s
countless thousands of
lanterns, strung between
trees and across alleys and
waterways. The twinkling
of  the old town is an incredible
sight to behold, and somehow the
crowds that come out to see it only add
to the atmosphere. Our little ones loved
lighting candles to set afloat on the river
for good luck. This is Hoi An at its most
magical and memorable.
Beach bound
If a paddle in the ocean or an afternoon
building sand castles with the little ones
is in order, the wonderful beach of An
Bang is just a stone’s throw away. The
nearest beach to town is actually Cửa
Đại but it has a severe erosion problem,
exacerbated by winter typhoons, which
has meant most of the sand has been
washed away from the seafront. As a
result, An Bang beach, further north, is
a more appealing prospect. It is one of
the few stretches of beach in Hoi An that
is relatively unspoiled by development,
making it a popular option for soaking up
the sun and enjoying an array of seaside
activities such as paddle-boarding and
surfing. There are plenty
of board rentals, surf
and stand-up paddling
classes offered.
Treat for the
tastebuds
One of the best things
about Vietnam is the food –
bursting with fresh herbs in
every dish, it is fresh, fragrant and often
comes with a zing that leaves a big smile
on your face. And Hoi An is the country’s
top gourmet hotspot. Among the local
specialities are cao lao (hand-cut noodles
tossed with sliced pork, crunchy rice
crackers, spices, fistfuls of herbs and
some super-tasty broth), beef in betel
leaves, pomelo or mango salad, and
of course the famous pho and banh
mi (Vietnamese sandwiches). Our boys
became obsessed with sampling all
sorts of spring roll-type dishes and their
accompanying sauces and dips.
In Vietnam, breakfast and lunch are
mainly eaten on the run, making street
food a huge part of daily life. Hoi An has
some of the best in the country. When
it became a UNESCO World Heritage
Site, all mobile stalls were relocated to
the Central Food Market in an attempt
to improve street cleanliness. Head here
and you will eat like a king (or a local) for
FROM TOP
Vietnamese coffee;
Bahn mi Vietnamese
sandwich
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hardly any money – HK$10-30 a dish.
The city is also overflowing with
outstanding restaurants. Our favourite
was The Cargo Club, with a terrific
riverside location (the upper terrace has
stunning views) and flavoursome food. If
you have children not yet ready to try the
unfamiliar, there is a western menu but
the Vietnamese specialities are mouth-
watering and offer plenty of choice.
Ms Vy’s market is another great
option, offering a sanitised street-food-
style experience for those slightly wary
of the real thing (but even here you can
get a taste of the exotic – silk-worm
salad, anyone?). You sit on benches in
a courtyard-like space and pick dishes
from an extensive menu of food from the
numerous market-style stands.
Meanwhile, if you want to enjoy a
lunch or dinner away from the hustle and
bustle of the city centre, go to The Field.
Just out of town – surrounded by tropical
gardens and rice paddies, there is plenty
of space for adventurous children to roam
while adults enjoy a cold cocktail.
Where to base yourself?
Anantara Hoi An, an elegant boutique
hotel on the banks of the River Thu Bon,
provides the perfect base from which
to see the old town – an easy stroll to
all the sights but far enough from the
b