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Vanja Keindl: Central Vietnam – Hoi An

Central Vietnam is a short flight from Hong Kong. Long sandy beaches stretch along almost the whole coast.

Hoi An – my gateway to Vietnam

I chose Hoi An as my gateway to Vietnam. I was looking for what China has lost today – an inner sense of freedom, lightness and room to grow. And I really did feel all of that being born in me (again). With its rhythm, its river, the sea and everyday life, this small town makes room for calm, reflection and inspiration.

A town between the river and the sea

The town lives between the Thu Bon River and the South China Sea. You can feel the Vietnamese energy: motorbikes are everywhere, carrying everyday life. It’s hard to imagine Vietnam without them.

The river is full of boats. The round ones interest me most. They are also called “basket boats”, and clever fishermen came up with them during French colonial rule to avoid the tax on boats. They are also easy to carry on your back. Fishermen still use them today, and tourists love them too.

Vietnam_Hoi An

History and culture

You can feel history in every corner. Once an important trading port in central Vietnam, for centuries the town was a meeting place of cultures and peoples – Chinese, Japanese, Portuguese, French and local Vietnamese. Its streets, pagodas and wooden houses tell the story of a rich past. But the town isn’t static – it lives, mixing tradition and everyday life.

The magic of lanterns and a sense of freedom

With the river, the boats and the motorbikes, I felt the particular rhythm of Hoi An. Everyday routines and rituals, like lighting the lanterns in the evening, create a fairy-tale feeling. The lanterns swaying above the river give a sense of intimacy and magic. That’s how the town feels both energetic and meditative at the same time.

Local life and the expat experience

Today the town is also home to a small but active expat community. Many come looking for a slower pace of life, to work on creative projects, learn to cook local dishes or start small businesses. You often find yourself chatting with one of the expats in a café or a co-working space. That gives the town extra energy and a sense of connection.

 

In short, Hoi An isn’t only something to look at. The town invites you to slow down, feel and observe. That is exactly what I was looking for when I came to Vietnam – a place where the sense of freedom, creativity and room to grow comes back.

What is it like in a luxury resort? – read in the next post

Written by Vanja Keindl

founder and owner of KEINDL BAU

and the Wolkenhawk resort

Read more: Magic of Vietnam III: Light · Magic of Vietnam II: Rain · Magic of Vietnam I: Echo

About the author: Vanja Keindl, civil engineer – building physics and energy efficiency · KEINDL BAU

All my posts about Vietnam in one place: Vietnam – Vanja Keindl