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Story  DAD · Hoi An

From the market to the covered bridge in Hoi An

I walked Hoi An’s ancient town from Chợ Hội An to the Japanese Covered Bridge and went into a lot of shops on the way.

Written and photographed by Ethan Ward
Went: 1 month

Photo of the yellow façade of Chợ Hội An, its name above the entrance, with lanterns under the tiled awning, people walking past, and motorbikes parked outside.
Chợ Hội An sits at the eastern edge of the ancient town, on the Thu Bồn River.ETHAN WARD

I photographed the yellow buildings and the lanterns in Hoi An. I also kept photographing what was happening under them: people crossing the street, produce laid out for sale, motorbikes parked along a narrow alley.

Hoi An’s ancient town was a trading port from the 15th to the 19th century, and people still do business in it. I went into a lot of shops.

The tailors were the best part. I’m 6-foot-3 and my arms are freakishly long, so clothes off the rack almost never fit. In Hoi An I had a wool coat, a trench coat, slacks, shirts, suits, and shoes made, plus leather bags, a wallet, a toiletry bag, and 3 sets of silk pajamas. I was going a little crazy. I’ll be going back for more.

These are photographs from those walks.

Photo of a street in Hoi An’s ancient town lined with yellow buildings, white lanterns and Vietnamese flags, with people walking and one person riding a bicycle.
I didn’t usually have a destination. I walked and saw what came up.ETHAN WARD
Photo of a seated market vendor surrounded by bowls of eggs, sprouts, small green citrus fruit, flowers and baskets.Photo of trays of dragon fruit, citrus and other fruit on stacked plastic crates beside a glass-fronted food display.
At the market I bought chopsticks for my sister and nieces, ceramic dishes, cashews, and a deck of playing cards with scenes from Vietnam.ETHAN WARD
Photo of Hoi An’s Japanese Covered Bridge over green water under a blue sky, with a person walking beside it.
The line to cross the bridge was too long, so I didn’t.ETHAN WARD
Photo of Ethan Ward sitting in a small wooden boat on the river at sunset, holding a paper lantern, with other boats and lit buildings behind him.Photo of lit paper lanterns floating on dark water beside a stone riverbank, with people walking above.
At sunset I took a boat and lantern ride on the river.ETHAN WARD
Photo of a narrow alley between weathered yellow walls, with motorbikes parked along one side and shop signs and plants farther in.
The alley led to more shops. I went into a lot of them, mostly leather shops and tailors.ETHAN WARD
Photo looking down at Ethan Ward’s white sneakers and brown trousers beside trays of bracelets, bangles and small souvenirs on stone pavement.
I bought a bracelet from these trays.ETHAN WARD

Read next: 2 minutes on a motorbike in Hoi An was enough for me

Picks from this trip

WHERE I STAYED

Wyndham Royal Beachfront Resort

See rates

Went · Yes
Still good as of · October 2026
Link · I earn a cut if you book

WHAT I DID

A lantern boat ride on the river at sunset

See the boat ride

Went · Yes, once
Still good as of · October 2026
Link · I earn a cut if you book

Everything from Hoi An

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