Hoi An may be the prettiest place I have ever been.

If you only have one day in Hoi An Vietnam, you are in for a visual treat. The old town is a Unesco World Heritage sight and you can immediately see why. Bustling streets are lined with buildings, their fading yellow facades evocative of bygone era of river trade. These days you are more likely to find yourself bartering for a silk scarf, or purchasing handmade gifts, than trading in fish. However for a glimpse of what the more hectic pace of commerce may have been like, head to the Market where countless stall holders will converse with you to get you to buy their wares.

Hoi An is also the stronghold of Vietnam's tailoring tradition. I indulged my shopping instincts for the first time this trip and walked away with many a bargain (tailored skinny jeans = sent from heaven). The one thing I would recommend is to get a tip on a good tailor to go to, as from what I have heard there can be great discrepancies in quality.

Hoi An also boasts many a culinary treat. White roses are delightful mouthfuls of dumpling stuffed with shrimp, and an unmissable experience is sampling the local noodle dish by the river, marvelling at the floating lantern creatures. What could be better than fantastic food, brilliant views and an atmosphere that feels like the Asia from a 19th century romance?

Definitely a favourite place to be lost in for a while.

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