Vietnam City Voted the Best in the World

         Colorful buildings belonging to former wealthy merchants & traders dot Hoi An's waterside

If there is one spot in Vietnam that has dazzled the greatest number of Wine-Knows travelers during out past four trips, it is the ancient riverside city of Hoi An.  An exceptionally well-preserved trading port dating from the 1500's, magical Hoi An is now a United Nations World Heritage Site (UNESCO).  It’s no wonder why readers of Travel & Leisure Magazine voted Hoi An the best city in the world.

    Hoi An is a shopper's dream boasting shops that can make a custom dress or a man's suit in 24 hrs

Hoi An is ridiculously photogenic.   Boasting grand architecture of Vietnamese, Japanese and Chinese merchants and traders, this colorful waterside town offers a beguiling atmosphere of grace and history.  Once a major port for trading, the ancient city is a labyrinth of former merchant shops, pagodas and vibrantly colored streets decorated with hanging silk lanterns in a rainbow of colors.   

                    Silk fabric abounds in the city in the form of lanterns & items of clothing

The city’s UNESCO status has allowed it to keep much of its jewel-box atmosphere, and 21^st century curses such as traffic and pollution are nearly absent.  No cars are allowed in the historical center of the town, however, rickshaws abound and day trippers from tour large buses parked outside the city are often transported in this centuries-old method.

         Wine-Knows learned how to make Hoi An's version of a shrimp "tamale" on our last trip

Located on Vietnam's 2,000 mile long coast midway between Saigon and Hanoi, this ancient merchant’s port is nothing like Vietnam’s largest two cities.  In contrast, Hoi An is small and has a provincial feel.  Its multi-cultural history from a plethora of Asian traders makes for a unique cultural experience, including a fusion cuisine.  Wine-Knows will experience Hoi An's at two distinct foodie experiences.  The first will be at one of Vietnam's top culinary schools when we'll visit the city's central market to procure items for an upmarket cooking class & lunch.  The other will be at Anthony Bourdain's favorite restaurant.  

              Hoi An is even more charming at night when the river becomes a sea of floating candles

At this time there are 3-4 remaining spaces on our February 2026 trip, perfectly time for the beginning of the Asian New Year.  Why not come and experience the magic of the world's most beautiful city in addition to the other must-see spots in Vietnam?

Itinerary vietnam – Wine-Knows Travel (wineknowstravel.com)