Charming Hoi An

THERE IS ONE DESTINATION IN VIETNAM THAT ALL VISITORS REALLY ADORE AND THAT’S HOI AN, A CHARMING RIVERSIDE TOWN IN CENTRAL VIETNAM. WE ARRIVE AFTER A PICTURESQUE THREE-HOUR BUS JOURNEY FROM HUE. OUR BUS STOPS IN FRONT OF A HOTEL, WE ARE ALL SHEPHERDED IN AND GIVEN A HANDFUL OF KEYS TO CHECK OUT THE VARIOUS ROOMS ON OFFER.

This is how business is done in Vietnam. The hotel owners pay the bus drivers some cash under the table, and the drivers make their last stop in front of that hotel. This system seems to work a treat; they manage to sell all their rooms to the entire bus. A room with air-con, internet and a pool for (AUD) $20.00 a night — you couldn’t say no.