ShoreTrips says...

I loved this town. It was refreshing to feel immersed in the old culture with friendly faces and lots of art in a relaxed atmosphere.

On arrival in Chan May port, disembark the ship and meet your expert guide. Your transfer to Hoi An is about 1.5 hours and a lovely ride, fully narrated by your guide.

Between the 17th and 19th centuries, Hoi An was a prosperous trading port. Today, this World Heritage-listed ancient town boasts well-preserved buildings, pedestrianized streets, and unique cuisine, allowing visitors a glimpse of its illustrious past. The narrow lanes are ideal for a guided walking tour. There is plenty to visit, including the old merchants' houses with influences from Chinese, Japanese, and Vietnamese architecture; the 400-year-old Japanese Covered Bridge; the Assembly Hall of the Chaozhou Chinese Congregation with outstanding wood carvings; and the colorful market with stalls brimming with local specialties including silk, which can be turned into fashionable garments within a day or two.

Pop in and out of the galleries that will call to you with the work filling their windows. Enjoy watching the round fishing boats, never seen before by us seasoned travelers.

Lunch is at the charming Ancient Faifo restaurant, comfortable and typical of the local food. Combining elements of art, music, and history, Ancient Faifo offers culture catered to the highest tastes with its menu of quintessential Vietnamese cuisine and innovative reinvention of ancient recipes. After lunch, transfer back to Chan May to embark the ship.

If time permits, we'll make a stop at Cham Museum, which houses artifacts from the Kingdom of Champa (the people who ruled central Vietnam for 1,000 years), and possibly an outside visit at Marble Mountains, consisting of five marble hillocks that were once islands.