| My younger brother was looking at me like I'd lost | | | | about 3 or 4 K's from Hoi An. There is a new Jet |
| my mind. Out of all the famous places he could | | | | Ski company that offers tours of the Hoi An |
| visit on his first trip to Vietnam, I insisted he | | | | River Delta. You can literally ride the jet ski up to |
| spend most of his time in the central coastal | | | | the Lao border or go to Chu Lai lagoon. They |
| town of Hoi An. | | | | provide local tours of Hoi An old town and the |
| "And this is because of your tailor?" he asked. | | | | areas nearer the beach. This is a great service. |
| Well, not exactly. Hoi An has a bit of everything | | | | The freedom and peace of the river, contrast |
| that makes Vietnam wonderful. Ancient buildings, | | | | nicely with the hectic, motor bike strewn, noisy |
| culture, beaches and, O.K., my tailor. In fact, Hoi | | | | street scene. This really is a don't miss. The price |
| An has an entire battalion of tailors and | | | | is reasonable as well. |
| seamstresses who can churn out almost any | | | | - Philip Slocumbesides the places mention on a |
| garment overnight, and they have stacks of | | | | bove, highly recommended take cycling through |
| catalogs and fabrics for you to choose from. | | | | Thuan Tinh's village then get to the beatiful sand |
| A bespoke suit goes for a mere $110. Shirts and | | | | beach for relaxing and swimming, if you don't |
| blouses cost as little as $8. In between fittings, | | | | want to go the beach you should pre organize |
| you can hire a motorcycle and ride to the | | | | aboat before cycling departure, that will come to |
| 1,500-year-old My Son temple ruins, take a cruise | | | | the wharf at the end of the village where you put |
| on the Hoai River, or sip cocktails on the beach. | | | | the bikes on boat keep sailing to building boat and |
| In the end, my brother went home not just with | | | | wood carving village of Kim Bong then back to |
| a tan but a whole new wardrobe—four suits, | | | | the water frond of Hoian town |
| one linen jacket, seven dress shirts, five pairs of | | | | - tantheman |
| khakis, six casual linen and cotton shirts, and two | | | | Hoi An Orphanage at 4 Nguyen Truong To Street |
| silk ties. The cost of this sartorial makeover: | | | | in Hoi An town centre welcomes visitors. This is |
| $1,100. Admitting that his big sister was right: | | | | government run facility caring for approx 80 |
| priceless. | | | | children including 25 with cerebral palsy/special |
| Tours to Hoian , visit this site : | | | | needs. Although government run the centre is |
| By Kay Johnson | | | | amazing in terms of care provided. They |
| Other HoiAn travel tips | | | | welcome gifts of toys, books etc & also |
| Hoi an is indeed a beautiful town but it is small and | | | | food which can be purchased at the local market |
| you run out of things to do quickly. We just found | | | | (buy enough for 80!) very cheaply especially fruit. |
| a new business at the bridge in Cua Dai, which is | | | | Inspirational!! |