The Infinite Shopping Day in Hoi An

Small-town break - big-time shopping, food and drinks. One could easily fly to Vietnam with the sole purpose of filling an entire suitcase with a new wardrobe from Hoi An. Below is our perfect shopping day in Hoi An after four days of extensive research... Where to stay? The Hoa Binh Hotel has a pool, wifi, HBO and great hotel rooms all for $10. - Hai Bà Trưng, Thị xã Hội An, Quang Nam, Viet Nam +84 510 916 838

You can get almost anything custom made in Hoi An, and it will be absolutely worth it. So wake up with a mission - to shop. You bring in a photo - they create it. Everything can be tailor made except underwear (This might be the only thing to pack).

Start your day Vietnamese style (early) and go for a 'ca phe' and a stroll. Why not explore the UNESCO heritage streets towards the temple bridge, taking in the small colonial houses before all the tourists wake up. Be sure to detour deeper into the central alleys, especially those surrounding the secret garden riverline. Retreat to the hotel before hunger strikes for a swim in the indoor pool and a lite brunch of 'Pho' noodles across from the hotel back entrance. The old woman in charge greets her customers with open arms and a grandma hug.

If you want to learn Vietnamese dishes like pho, add $2 to the order at The Green Moss restaurant and they'll show you the ropes in the kitchen. 155 D Nguyen Duy Hieu, Hoi An, Viet Nam +84 510 863 728

Now lets assume you arrived yesterday and probably already visited one of Hoi An's 400 tailors for measurements and an initial order of suits, winter coats or other large investments. I can recommended Dong Duong Indochine and it's professional, no-fuss saleswomen with little bargaining. Meticulous measurements mean there are few adjustment to make today during the retouch visits.

Buying a suit is like buying a car - it's a serious investment. Some shops are better than others. Be sure to shop around in Hoi An since some are better at formal wear, casual trousers, etc. Start by feeling the fiber of the fabric and bring in a photo of what you want, if possible. Don't pay in full and show you don't settle for less than perfect so the pressure will be on for when you give it a test drive later.

The Cargo Club - Nguyễn Thái Học, Thị xã Hội An, Quang Nam - +84 510 910 489 (photo: flickr)

By 10am you will need to make some appearences at re-fittings. If you like what they have done ask them to whip a few shirts using your measurements in time for the final afternoon appointment. Reward your shopping efforts with lunch on the deck at the Cargo Club. Sandwiches are delicious and in particular the clubs. A few more retouhes later and you might want another break from all this hard work. Deservedly so - why not hit the beach. Shower back at the hotel and get your evening clothes on. Pick up your tailored treasures and head to Tran Phu street. Here you can get a hipster-mod wool tie at number 125. Nga's tie shop (no official name) has the best selection in town for 30-40k ($1-2).

The Tam Tam provides both a hub for nightlife and old-world dining rooms upstairs. Tam Tam Cafe, Nguyễn Thái Học, Thị xã Hội An, Quang Nam, +84 510 862 212 (photo: flickr)

You'll peobaby be ready to kick back and enjoy your evening under the town's glow of red Chinese rice lanterns. Toast your exploits with a drink at The Treat across the street. An large bottle of La Rue beer for 10k (.50$) at this backpacker HQ. There are many other good happy hours in town to drag your bags to. I'd head for 2 for 1 mojitos upstairs at the big colonial house known as Tam Tam. They also serve up Australian steaks in the brasserie style dining rooms.

Otherwise head a few doors down to Red Bridge. They have extreemly charming wine bar feel, big open garden and a mean fish and chips. And why not book a half or full-day cooking course with them for tomorrow if you are hanging around? The chef will take you around by boat and to the local market. Or you could save money and choose your own dish to cook at the Green Moss (see photo above).

Whatever you decide, wind up the day at the kitchy 'Before and After' lounge bar. The crowds here create the best buzz in town between the table football and walls of communist pop art. And somehow all your fellow travelers looks a bit more dressed up and smart than they did yesterday...