Three must-do activities in Hoi An

Belinda Cannon, owner of lifestyle brand Sophie, says there are many delights to be found beyond the tourist trail in Hoi An, Vietnam.

Cafe and coffee heaven

The range of coffee is to die for. Yes, there’s the traditional Vietnamese coffee, but also flavours like salted coffee and coconut coffee and, trust me when I say, egg coffee is a delight too.

My favourite spot to enjoy a cup is Phin Coffee & Restaurant. It’s set in a labyrinth of little alleys and is away from the touristcondensed main streets. In addition to the peaceful and lush garden, it sells the most beautiful ceramics. I allowed myself to purchase one a day (we went three times) and carefully packed them in my socks to bring home.

Hidden gems for early risers

It’s worth getting up at 4am on holiday in Hoi An to ride on the back of motorbikes with well-connected locals for an Airbnb Experiences tour. Seeing traditional noodles being made in the dark, artisans hand-dyeing straw to make mats, and meeting cool coffee roasters and natural winemakers all before sunrise is pretty magic.

Crafty and made to measure

If you look beyond the knock-offs and the sea of trinkets, there is great shopping to be found in Vietnam.

Lee Corner, a sweet little store off the beaten track, has the most beautiful quilts and cushions. It has to be a pretty special cushion to carry around with you when on holiday, but it is worth the effort.

And, yes, if you want clothes made to measure, then that really is possible in less than 24 hours. I selected a gorgeous silk print and had a dress made at Yaly Couture – I love it.