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Just back from… Hoi An, Vietnam

Just back from… Hoi An, Vietnam

“Xin chào” and hello from Ampersand’s marketing manager, Sacha Smith-Laing, who recently returned from Vietnam where she caught some rays, ate many a phở and strolled the fairytale lanes of Hoi An.

Here, she picks out the top 3 highlights of her trip…

VIETNAM FAM 8
The phenomenal food…

There are many things that tempted me to Vietnam this year: winter sun, the crumbly colonial charm, the moped chaos and the weird and wonderful idiosyncrasies that are unique to Vietnam. The number one reason, though, was the food. My fiancé and I went for 10 days and had at least a bowl of phở a day, which made us very happy (we have become devoted phở fans since discovering Café East in London’s Surrey Quays – check it out!). Throughout our trip we stuck to a ‘Vietnamese-only’ policy when it came to ordering food and we had so many excellent meals… daily beef phở breakfast, lemongrass chicken curries, whole seabass stuffed with Vietnamese herbs, banh mi (baguette stuffed with barbequed meat and a slathering of mayo, pickled carrot, daikon, cucumber, chilli and coriander leaves), cao lau (thick, smoky, soupy noodles) and another Hoi An delicacy, banh bao vac or ‘white rose dumplings’, as they were dubbed by the French (shrimp wrapped in translucent white dough and shaped like a rose).    

My favourite foodie experience was at the famous Morning Glory Cookery School in Hoi An. They offer several options but we went for the ‘Masterclass with traditional Vietnamese Breakfast’ (8am – 1pm). The breakfast included an astonishing choice of all-you-can-eat dishes cooked right in front of you at the Market Restaurant, a vibrant self-contained street food-style market/restaurant. Next, a guided tour of Hoi An’s buzzy central food market, followed by a cookery class taught by the legendary Ms Vy – the grande dame of Hoi An, who has established a veritable food empire including the Market Restaurant, Mermaid Restaurant, Cargo Restaurant, Morning Glory restaurant and cookery school, and her own cookery book, Taste Vietnam.

Pampering and perk-packed Fusion Maia…

The resort Ampersand usually opts for near Hoi An is the ultra slick Nam Hai. Just down the road in seaside Danang is the more affordable and utterly feel-good Fusion Maia Resort, which is where we headed for a few days of R&R. It is a promising resort concept jam-packed with fantastic perks: firstly, this is Vietnam’s largest spa and the only resort in Asia that offers all-inclusive spa treatments (at least 2 a day and more dependent on availability), ranging from their 90-minute signature massage to an aroma flower bath, a mani-pedi, or a ‘Yogurt Splash’ to cleanse and condition your body. Treatments take place in a luscious green sanctuary with a spa pool at its centre surrounded by seating pagodas. Guests can also join in daily wellness programmes including beach walks, yoga sessions and lantern ceremonies.

VIETNAM -  FAM Trip - Ampersand Travel (713)
Breakfast (delicious tarts, exotic fruits, homemade yogurt compote, beef phở, toast, jam, juice, coffee etc) is also included, which can be had at any time of day anywhere on the resort, or even in the Fusion Maia's ‘Fusion Lounge’ which is in a fabulous riverside spot in Hoi An. There are free shuttle buses taking you to and from Hoi An, which is about 40 minutes drive. The resort’s décor is chic and slick, and the private pool villas are particularly sexy. They have a separate living room, a decent size pool and an outdoor seating area. The bathroom has a deep-set slate tub and a flatscreen TV which swivels so you can watch it in the tub or in bed.  There is also a large main swimming pool and a gorgeous stretch of beach beyond, which is scattered with 2-person white lounging beds. Each guest has a ‘Fusionista’, which is Fusion Maia’s friendlier term for personal butler. As lovely as our Fusionita was, it was testament to the resort that we didn’t call on her – still, it’s nice to know we could have!

Hoi An at dusk…

Nothing terribly revelatory here, but strolling along Hoi An’s riverbank as dusk settles in is simply one of the most magical moments imaginable. This UNESCO-protected town is famous for her colourful lanterns, which are strung up along the river and hung on every crumbly old building. During the half hour window as day turns to night, the colour of the lanterns blur together to cast a mesmerising glow on the water. Soak up the atmosphere as you stroll, or perch up at a waterside café and just watch – the scene is as bewitching as it gets!

Hoi An is a tourist town – each of her historic townhouses are now either a restaurant, a bar, a hotel, a tailor or a souvenir shop. If you can accept this and just enjoy it for its architectural beauty and charm, you will love it. Foreign traders have been coming to Hoi An for over 1,000 years and leaving their mark: there are Chinese pagodas, arched Japanese bridges, French wooden shutters, tiny lanes of the Old Town and densely packed merchant townhouses – all of which have lanterns hanging outside and in.

Rarely does real life compare to the fairytale painted by travel writers and travel brochures. Hoi An really does though!

For more information browse our luxury Vietnam tours and our handpicked Vietnam hotels. To start planning a tailor-made holiday to Vietnam please contact our Vietnam specialist Mark Wright at mark@ampersandtravel.com or phone +44 (0)20 7819 9770.



Client Testimonials

Everything you did for us whilst we were away was hugely appreciated, and Ampersand has been exemplary in every way. I'll always recommend you!
- Mr Richard Stoughton, Sri Lanka
Ballyfin was great - we loved it! Best things were the amount of space, it felt like you had the whole place to yourself, the history of the house, and the staff. We'd definitely recommend it. Thanks very much for all the help getting it booked!
- Mr Wyburd, Ireland
So many highlights to choose from! The hotels were amazing but Maya Villa was a highlight… I loved just hanging out in the hammock reading my book and watching the peacocks chase the cows!
- Krista Weir, Sri Lanka
We have just returned back from a wonderful trip. Thank you very much for organising everything. The transfer was excellent – for once they had perfect car seats. The villa was lovely, just what we needed and the hotel had helpfully put us as far away as possible from everyone else. The breakfast buffet was the best I have ever seen – and I am slightly obsessive over breakfast!! There was an incredible choice, something for everyone and so beautifully presented. A real highlight of the trip. Thank you again for sorting everything - and at such short notice!
- Redmayne family, Phuket
I had a very lovely time and was looked after splendidly. My first visit to India could not have been better, save for being longer! But I shall return at some point and I shall look to you to make the arrangements.
- Matthew Nicklin, North India
We really enjoyed the trip and were happy that we squeezed so much into a few short days. The Burmese people were lovely and the sites were fantastic. We really enjoyed the balloon ride and would highly suggest it to others in the future. The trip went super smoothly and a good time plus learning happened for all. Yangon was nice as the Strand was quite amazing and we of course loved the giant gold temple. Many thanks for all of your help and look forward to future travel with you.
- Wallace Family, Burma
We had a wonderful holiday - everything was perfect. Thank you for helping us to make a thoughtful plan to enjoy and make most out of our trip. The places we visited, the guides, the transportation and driver, the hotels selected... Everything was great!
- Jaime Benitez, South India
Difficult to articulate just how good the service from you and your team really was. We know you will continue to do well and hope we have the chance to seek your assistance again before long.
- Mr & Mrs Manson, North India
Ampersand’s preparation, attention to detail and interaction before and during our trip show exactly why good travel agents have a role in today’s internet booking age. They were a delight to deal with!
- Mr David Wallace, North India
Ampersand provided a bespoke and flexible holiday, tailored to my every whim. Their highly professional staff had only one goal which was to arrange an exceptional holiday and some unforgettable experiences in India. I have no hesitation in fully recommending them and they will be the first company I approach in the future - 10/10
- Anonymous, India
Without question, you put together the best trip I have ever taken. We were shown around like visiting dignitaries, the hotels were fantastic and the itinerary was just right. Everybody I know will hear about how amazing Ampersand is!
- Leslie Siben, India
I thought the Ampersand team was outstanding. We couldn’t have hoped for anything more.
- Mr Geoffrey Johnson, India
I would recommend Ampersand without any hesitation!!! The best travel agent that I’ve ever had. Everything – from the individual care and attention in planning the trip, through to the efficiency of the agents on the ground in India – was handled brilliantly. An absolutely first-class service all round!
- Matthew Annable, Rajasthan, India
Getting to Amanpulo from Manila was very simple and the beach was the most beautiful I’d ever been on; pristine white sand, not a single piece of rubbish in sight. You get your own solar powered golf buggy to drive around resort (and a butler at request). The views from the Hillside Casita were spectacular!
- Mr Wyburd, Philippines
Difficult to choose the highlight of the trip, can’t choose between… 1) Taj Mahal & Oberoi Amarvilas. 2) Ranthambore. 3) Lake Palace. We have to say a particular thank you for selecting Parmod as our driver. He is a delightful and kind man who took our holiday and our enjoyment as his responsibility. Thank you for putting together such an amazing trip for us. The balance of city and rural destinations was perfect for us and the variety of rooms and hotel types brilliant. Our driver and guides also added so much to the trip with their knowledge of India’s history and culture and their willingness to discuss it both from a professional and personal angle.
- Carruthers family, North India
I barely know where to begin... though a sincere 'thank you' would be the best. You have organised this trip perfectly. May was an inspiring and delightful companion in Myanmar – thoroughly professional and friendly at the same time. My accommodation throughout has been superb, especially The Governor's Residence and The Mandarin Oriental. The view from the cottage at Inle Lake was beautiful and I loved every moment of being there. And here I am now on the last leg of this extended holiday at my favourite place. I could stay here for ever, the peace, silence and surroundings all amazing, plus the people and the whole aura of Vana. Thank you for much, and I look forward to speaking to you on my return.
- Ms Margulies, Burma, India & Thailand

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