Danang/Hue/HoiAn 2025 - Hoi An First Night Walking in the Rain

 

After having our dinner, we decided to talk a short walk around the small town just to see why it was so popular with tourist. It was our first impression of Hoi An, and it was so touristy and crowded. There was a night market just right outside from where we ate, so the moment we stepped out, we were bombarded by sounds and light and vendors on their moving cart, or vendors with their wares setup all over the place. It was Danang all over again, but packed in a more dense area! Lol. 

So we decided to cross the bridge to see the river and the other side instead. It was quite a sight to see. Everything was lighted up, and all sorts of colours can be seen from every corner of our eyes. The river itself was filled with lanterns of every colours! They were from the floating boats on the water which tourist can pay to ride. It was just so touristy and cheesey! 

Yet, it still held some charm to it all. It was kinda dream like to look at the river with its floating like. It was a river of dreams. Where people went on boats to make a wish and release their wishes to the river, hoping that it will come through..... Perhaps an ancient belief passed down till today and has become somewhat commercialised for the tourist visiting. 

After crossing the old main bridge, we also ventured further into the small roads to see the view so that we would know what to expect the next day when we are ready to explore this little town. The streets, just like the river, was brightly decorated with lights and lanterns that we so uniquely Vietnamese. It was an oriental dream somehow. It was beautiful. It was lovely. And it was charming, like a fairyland. 

It started to rain as we walked, and the road started to get wet. But instead of going back, we walked on, and the scene it self looked even more dreamlike for taking my photos. The reflection on the street enhances the dreamlike themed of our evening walk. The road was not crowded since it was now raining. Some people seek shelter in the shops or cafe. 

I spotted one of the attraction houses that I wanted to visit. It was nearer than I expected. Hoi An indeed was a small town. Although we stayed there for three nights,  and there were other parts of Hoi An besides the town, we didn't visit other parts of it. We just spent all our time exploring this town. 

Lovely restaurant all decorated with lanterns, yet empty as it was raining. 

Even the cafe and coffee shops looked so cosy and beautifully decorated. I regretted having my coffee at the dinner place. I should have saved it and have a nice warm coffee here instead, looking out into the rainy scene. It would have been nice to linger there, and remain in the dreamy state of the old town.

More lanterns in front of shops.....

The streets were also decorated with hanging lanterns. They looked so beautiful. 

Shop houses with  lanterns outside of them. 

Soon we decided to head back as the rain started to pour. On our way back, we pass by this wall mural just opposite our hotel. I thought it was nice. It was a foot massage shop. We did try to get a foot massage there one day, but we couldn't find anyone attending to the shop while we were there. Pity. We ended up going to another shop instead which was Korean inspired lol.