Hoi An highlights: tailors and puppies

Our first days in Hội An were a welcome change of pace. This UNESCO‑listed trading port is famous for its preserved architecture and tailor shops. We spent a morning getting bespoke suits stitched while the boys played with sleepy puppies under bicycles and watched craftspeople at work. In the afternoon we learned to light candle‑lit lanterns and released them into the river at dusk, joining a centuries‑old tradition.

Family travel tip: Allow at least two days for custom clothes to be made, visit tailors early in your stay for fittings, and bring cash for deposits.

Have you ever had clothes made on the road? Our Vietnam family guide includes the best tailors and secret cafés in Hội An’s narrow lanes. Our stay was $53, a solid deal for the comfort we got. We spent $33 on activities worth every cent. Transport ran us $3, cheaper than many cities. Altogether, we spent about $219 for the day.