Hoi An is a sparkling and scenic gem right in the heart of Vietnam. With a name that translates to English as "peaceful meeting place," Hoi An is just that: cozy and quaint, and famous for its Old Town where motorists are prohibited, and pedestrians and bike riders are free to parade among the beautiful bridges and walkways that line the river. As a Western tourist, the vibe of the inner city sparked similarities in my mind to small Spanish (or generally European) villages, with yellow-colored, closely packed buildings with terra cotta sloped roofs, with vines and lanterns draped all throughout. The Old Town is well-groomed, well designed, and beautifully curated, which gives the impression of a tourist trap but is for the most part, just that authentic. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site, after all, for being such an "exceptionally well-preserved example of a South-East Asian trading port dating from the 15th to the 19th century. Its buildings and its street plan reflect the influences, both indigenous and foreign, that have combined to produce this unique heritage site."

There is so much to see, do, and eat in the Old Town and in the entire region that surrounds it. It felt like we did so much, but in the grand scheme of all the possibilities, was merely just a taste of what Hoi An has to offer.