Making Each Day Count

Our first trip abroad for 2026 took me back to Hoi An, Vietnam. I felt like I still owed time to this place.

I first visited Hoi An in December 2024 with my girlfriends. It was squeezed into a short half day tour, and it ended just when I felt I was finally settling in. I remember leaving that day making a mental note to return, stay longer, and experience Hoi An properly. This time, I came back with D, and it was his first ever stay in this charming city. We made sure to give it at least a couple of nights.

Our day started early in Manila. We left at 6:00 AM and landed at Da Nang Airport at 8:30 AM. With Vietnam being one hour behind Manila, the 2.5-hour flight felt surprisingly fast, helped along by the excitement of finally being free from work for a few days.

As soon as we arrived, we went straight for food. We spotted Big Bowl at the airport, and since we were in Vietnam, pho felt like the only logical choice. True to its name, the servings arrived in generously sized bowls. I had a seafood pho that was comforting, paired with a refreshing lotus pandan tea that instantly became a favorite.

Not long after, I received a message from our airport transfer service letting us know that our driver was on the way. The drive from Da Nang to Hoi An took nearly an hour. As the city slowly gave way to quieter roads, we started seeing cyclists ride past us. D lit up at the sight, already planning biking through town later.

We arrived at the Lantana Hotel, our home for the next two nights. The staff welcomed us warmly, walked us through possible tours, and handed us a watermelon welcome drink that was exactly what we needed after the early start. We booked an afternoon tour to My Son for the next day.

Since we arrived early, we left our luggage at the hotel and headed straight to Hoi An’s Old Town. We bought a 48-hour tour ticket, which cost 120,000 VND each(around $5 USD).

The ticket granted access to several heritage sites around town, including the iconic Chua Cau, also known as the Japanese Covered Bridge. Built in the 18th century, the wooden footbridge stands over a small canal. It is a symbol of Hoi An’s history as a trading port where Japanese and Vietnamese communities once intersected.

We also visited the Dinh Cam Pho village hall, a communal house that once served as a meeting place for local residents. Inside, we saw traditional architecture, altars, and historical displays that offered a glimpse into the daily and spiritual life of old Hoi An.

From there, we wandered without much of a plan. I originally had my mind set on having custom leather shoes made as there were plenty of leather shops. Instead, we stumbled upon a tailor who offered to make D a pair of linen pants and for me, a linen shorts and vest set. Everything would be ready in 24 hours. We were sold and made plans return the next day.

Not far from the tailor was a small, charming spot called Mot. It was impossible to miss, and even harder to resist. I ordered their best seller, the Mot tea, a lightly sweet pandan-based drink topped with ice and pandan leaf. D went for Vietnamese coffee. We also tried Hoi An’s famous white rose dumplings for the first time. They were delicate and simply addictive. I was hooked from the first bite and raved about it to the wait staff.

By mid-afternoon, we headed back to the hotel. I took a short nap while D, true to form, went back out to rent a bicycle and explore more on his own.

As the sun began to set, I went out to meet D just in time to see the river transform. Boats appeared, lanterns came to life, and the town shifted into its evening buzz. The night market set up quickly, filling the streets with color and energy. The January air was cool and pleasant, so it was perfect for wandering.

For dinner, we chose An Thoi Hoi An, and every dish felt thoughtfully prepared. I did not hesitate to order another plate of white rose dumplings. D had pork skewers, rolled in rice paper with fresh vegetables, which made the meal feel interactive and fun. We also shared a bowl of Quang noodles, rich with shrimp umami and quite satisfying.

With happily filled tummies, we strolled through the Hoi An Night Market, watching vendors, lantern sellers, and fellow travelers soaking in the atmosphere. It felt like the perfect opening chapter to our Vietnam adventure.

Day one had already delivered everything I hoped for and more. And as we walked back to the hotel, we both knew day two was going to be more awesome.