OUT & ABOUT

Four travel enthusiasts plan out an itinerary, each, on what to do in their favourite cities in the world...

- ARPITA KALA

AMIT AGGARWAL

The designer on why time stops in Hoi An

Vietnam had been on my bucket list for a really long time...its simplicity and breathtaking landscape have always captivated me.

My travel companion and I had originally charted out a detailed itinerary to visit the different destinations in Vietnam. However, the moment we landed in Hoi An, we cancelled all the reservations for other cities and just chose to stay there for an entire week!

Hoi An is a quaint, little town with five lanes of beautiful architecture and clear skies that seem painted with an artist's brush. There are rice fields to explore, and the peace one craves from a slow-paced life, filled with laughter, happiness, and crafts.

The one thing you must do in this port city is to stay near the beach for a few days, and then, if you like, move to another hotel. We stayed at Aira Resorts, which is a stunning property with colonial rooms, situated right next to the beach. The second half of our trip was spent in another resort, right in the middle of rice fields, which was an equally special experience.

The Old Town in the city is a must-visit, in my opinion. This district was an important trading port between the 15th and 19th centuries, and boasts a mix of various cultural influences, even today. We made it a point to visit it, every single day, and discovered the bylanes that sell beautiful pottery, intricately woven baskets, and lip-smacking food.

On lazy days, the stunning beach will ease your senses, and the rice fields that are spaced out through the town, is truly mesmerising, especially when the sun sets.