One of the joys of Hoi An is hopping from one café to the next! The biggest perk of staying here is being able to explore Hoi An from early in the morning, and another great thing is being able to visit popular cafés before they get crowded. After trying on an ao dai, the first place I visited was “Mot Hoi An.” The owner, who was born into a family that runs a traditional herbal medicine shop, creates a cold herbal tea that refreshes you with just one sip, even on days when the heat is almost overwhelming. It was a drink where the sweetness of honey stood out beautifully against the flavors of lemongrass, ginger, and lime. Next, we headed to “FAIFO COFFEE” on the same street. One of Hoi An’s charms is being able to hop from one café to another within walking distance. Whenever you feel “It’s too hot… I need something to drink,” you can pop into a shop right away to cool off. Here, I chose a Bac Xiu. It was a blissful moment, sipping traditional Vietnamese coffee right where it’s made. By the way, “FAIFO” is the old name for Hoi An. I also visited “POISON CAFE – The Original Herbal Coffee Lounge” along the river. This place is known for its modern interior. My order of choice was the Coconut Coffee. Served with coconut ice instead of regular ice, it tasted like a Vietnamese version of affogato. It had a tropical vibe, and the flavor was quite addictive. For lunch, I chose “The Hoianian Wine Bar & Restaurant,” located right nearby. There, you can enjoy the perfect pairing of modern Vietnamese cuisine and wine. I highly recommend the terrace seats along the river—the breeze keeps it pleasant even during the day.
Before heading back to Da Nang, it was time for some “Nun-katsu”! I experienced paradise at the InterContinental—it felt like another world. After spending the morning in Hoi An until early afternoon, I headed back to Da Nang. Of course, I made sure to squeeze in some “Nun-katsu” along the way. I visited “Citron,” the restaurant at the InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort. Every single dessert on the menu was exquisite! I couldn’t help but polish off everything, right down to the scones and sandwiches. The space, designed by resort architect and landscape architect Bill Bensley, was simply breathtaking. Not only did I feel the immense potential of Vietnam, but I was so relaxed that I wanted to stay another night. I also got a special tour of the villas. The villas are divided into four levels—HEAVEN, SKY, EARTH, and SEA—and this time I visited the EARTH level. My overarching impression was simply, “What a grand scale!” From the luxuriously appointed guest rooms to the private pools, everything was so stunning it took my breath away. Overall, the hotel’s facilities are spaces that truly deserve to be called “heaven.”
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