Hoi An

From Hanoi we took a soft-sleeper train and travelled south along the coast to Danang.

The journey from Hue onwards was particularly beautiful as the train follows the coastline from here on in. We awoke to the sun rising over the South China Sea and sat glued to the view for the remainder of the journey as the train slowly snaked along.

Once in Danang we jumped in a taxi and headed further south along the coast to Hoi An, a sleepy old riverside town around 30km away.

The pace of life in and around Hoi An was much slower than that we had experienced in Hanoi. We spent the next few days cycling around the Old Town, people watching at the central market and eating delicious local dishes such as Cao Lau - flat noodles with croutons, bean sprouts and greens topped off with sliced pork, White Rose - shrimp encased in rice paper then steamed and fried Wontons.

Eating breakfast at the central market.

Working the fields.

Hoi An is also known for its tailors who have a reputation for being master copiers. I had a pair of shoes custom made for £10 whilst Stephie had a top and two shirts made-to-measure for £25.

Waiting for a sale.

We left Hoi An by train and headed south to the beachside resort of Nha Trang. We spent four days here on the beach and by the pool soaking up the sun before heading to the busiest city in Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh City or more commonly known as Saigon.