Last updated on January 14, 2024
It’s been a while since I did a whirlwind trip, and this felt like one.
We got back to Hanoi about 2:30pm and I caught a 19:20 flight to Hue. By the time I got to my room, it was almost 10pm. I debated going for a walk but I don’t like to do this alone at night in a new place. Plus, I’d read about some flooding in the area. So instead, I booked a tour for the next morning, and a driver to Ba Na Hills.
I had the famous beef noodle pho for breakfast.
After breakfast, I checked out and headed to the imperial city. It’s quite a big area and you could easily spend more time there but I gave myself 2 hours.
From the imperial city, we drove to Lap An Lagoon to enjoy the views and eat oysters.
Then we went through the Hai Van pass to Danang and on to Ba Na Hills.
The driver remarked that I was lucky it was sunny but by the time I got to the French Village on top of the hill, it was raining.
Sun World/French Village
Knowing I’d have little time on this day, I’d booked a room at the Mercure. Actually. While there are several hotels all over the village, they are all part of the Mercure.
Given the rain, after checking into my room, I walked around the village and explored the pagodas and views. By the time I was done that, a heavy fog had rolled in making it hard to see much further than your hand. I wish I had gone to the golden bridge in the rain. Since it was my only reason for going to Ba Na Hills, you would think I would have gone many times. But no, I succumbed to the rest of the options and wide variety of paths and buildings all over village.
In the morning, at 6:15, guests of the Mercure can visit the bridge all on their own. I did that the next morning in thick fog before having breakfast and getting my bags packed for checkout.
Once I was fed and packed, I went exploring once more. My thought was that I would go back to the bridge if the fog cleared before my 10am checkout. Alas, that did not happen so I took the funicular instead of going back to the bridge. Upon reflection, I think I should have gone to the bridge again. But I’m way too polite – I didn’t want to keep the driver waiting. It would only have been 10-15 mins but still …
Danang
My visit to Danang was brief. I stopped for lunch, to see the Dragon Bridge and to go to the Chams museum. I’d planned to go to the marble mountains but cancelled because of the rain.
Hoi An Day 1
From Danang, the driver brought me to Hoi An. I stayed at the Silk Sense Hotel. I chose it because they have a garden where they grow lots of food and they have a plastic-free philosophy.
I arrived in Hoi An at about 14:00. After a welcome drink and a short rest, I went to the nearby village where they have a garden, and had some afternoon tea. I selected iced tea, and it was served with ginger candied peanuts.
I took a Grab to the water puppet theatre only to find out that it is permanently closed. I hadn’t gotten a chance to go in Hanoi because there were only seats for the 9pm showing on the day I checked and I was too jet-lagged. Disappointed, I looked around for what to do and noticed a bus station and ticket kiosk opposite the theater building.
I was just in time! For 120k VND, I bought an entrance ticket to Hoi An. This provided me with 5 tickets to visit sites inside the city. The performance theater was my first stop and I made it just in time for the 16:15 daily show.
Next on my list was getting some clothes made. I ordered a suit at A Dong Silk, with a 20% discount since it’s owned by the same company as the hotel where I stayed. I also got a shirt, linen pants, and shirt made by Thanh Tú.
By then, it was time for an early dinner before heading back to the hotel.
Hoi An Day 2
On Day 2, it rained all day. I took the Hotel shuttle to the spa and had a facial and foot exfoliation. From there. I needed to do the first trial of my custom clothing.
After trying on my clothing. I realized I would have to return in 3-4 hours. Even though it was raining, I visited several historical sites.
Around 4pm I had a late lunch because I wanted Banh xeo and T had found me a restaurant. I tried to go at 3 pm but it was closed, so I had to return an hour later.
By 6pm, I was done sigtseeing. The rain was still falling and it was impossible to walk without getting my shoes wet. With 1 hour still to wait, I went for foot reflexology.
I can’t believe this was my first foot massage, after 7 days in Vietnam! The lady really enjoyed applying as much pressure as possible. I sat through it. Sometimes tensing but without complaint. In the process, she found out my age and was surprised to realize that I am 2 years older than her.
By 8pm, I was hungry again. I had planned to get Banh Mi from Madam Khan but I was too late. Instead, I went to a stall nearby and it was fine.
Back to Danang
On my last day in Hoi An, I had breakfast before checking out. I had a driver to take me to Danang airport with a stop for Mi Quang. My flight was at 15:25 but I got to the check-in by 12:20 and Vietnam Airlines put me on the 12:50 flight to Ho Chi Minh City. This means that I had virtually no wait at the airport!
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