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Notes on Culture & Art | Jaina Mishra

The Prettiest City in the World: Hoi An

I’d gone for a short trip of 3 days but then I was so taken up by the place that I extended my stay not once, but twice.

Exploring, taking in the sights and sounds and enjoying the atmosphere.

I knew no one there and did not really miss having anyone known there. The place is vibrant and friendly, and in that city, traveling alone does not bring on loneliness at all.

Here are some pictures of this pretty town.

Ho
A vibrant display of colorful lanterns hanging in a street market, with various patterned and solid colors. In the foreground, there are baskets filled with folded items and bright-colored umbrellas, alongside a small table featuring stationery items. The background includes a painted building and greenery.
Entrance to a traditional temple featuring intricate blue and red architecture, with visitors gathered at the doorway.
A traditional Japanese setting featuring a wooden table surrounded by red cushions, with a backdrop of glowing red and white paper lanterns.
Exterior view of a traditional wooden building with decorative balcony, red lanterns, and an entrance featuring red curtains.
A large tree with green foliage and decorative lanterns in red, orange, and blue, situated near a vibrant yellow and blue wall in a lively street setting.
A traditional yellow house with wooden windows and orange lanterns hanging from the balcony, surrounded by a white picket fence.
A vibrant display of colorful lanterns hanging in a decorative arrangement, surrounded by lush green foliage and soft lighting.
Colorful sign featuring the words 'Hội An' and '2026' with traditional lantern designs in the background.
A serene riverside view at dusk, featuring a calm waterway reflecting colorful lanterns and a lively crowd along the shore, surrounded by lush greenery and traditional buildings.
A bamboo basket filled with colorful decorative floating lanterns, each with a small candle in the center, placed on a stone pavement.
A vendor wearing a conical hat carries two baskets of fruits on a shoulder pole, set against a colorful inflatable play structure in the background.
A lively street scene with people walking near traditional storefronts illuminated by warm lights during twilight.
A vibrant restaurant illuminated by colorful lanterns, featuring outdoor dining with tables set up on a lively street, people dining inside, and a couple walking by in the foreground.
A vibrant display of colorful paper lanterns in various shapes and patterns, hanging outdoors at night, with a red flag featuring a star in the background.
Colorful lanterns and decorative signs that say 'HAPPY NEW YEAR' illuminated in a festive setting, with a market area visible in the background.
An evening street scene lined with shops and colorful lanterns hanging from trees, with people walking along the pathway.
A charming restaurant exterior with wooden shutters, illuminated in the evening. The building features a traditional design with balconies adorned with plants, and customers are seen dining inside.
A woman wearing a hat and mask is arranging colorful paper lanterns on a table along a riverside promenade during dusk, with illuminated boats and decorations in the background.
A night view of a coffee shop named 'Poison Coffee' with red lanterns hanging from a tree above, illuminated by soft light.
A scenic view of a lit-up bridge over a calm river at dusk, surrounded by traditional buildings and a crowd of people along the waterfront.
A bustling street scene at night with colorful lanterns illuminating the area. People are shopping and walking along the path, surrounded by greenery and lively shops.
A colorful painting depicting two women with stylized features and traditional attire, surrounded by floral elements, framed by a detailed black wooden border.
A colorful painting depicting two women in traditional attire, standing side by side against a vibrant orange background. The women have distinctive facial features and are adorned with jewelry, with a lotus flower nearby.
Historic building facade with ornate architecture and red shutters, featuring a clothing shop below with a neon sign and mannequins.
A display of a large red crocodile sculpture in a rustic interior setting, with wooden beams and shelves filled with various items including souvenirs and clothing.
A bustling street scene featuring a historic building adorned with lanterns, with people walking past and dining outside, during twilight.
Facade of a traditional art performance venue in Hoi An, featuring yellow walls, a tiled roof, and decorative elements. Three people are visible near the entrance, with one walking and two sitting nearby.
Exterior view of the Hoi An Traditional Art Performance House, featuring a yellow building with wooden windows and a tiled roof, surrounded by greenery.
A vibrant street scene in Hoi An, Vietnam, showcasing a colorful building adorned with traditional lanterns and a Vietnamese flag, as pedestrians and a cyclo rider pass by at dusk.
A busy street scene in Hoi An, Vietnam, featuring a colorful building adorned with lanterns at dusk. Pedestrians walk by, and a cyclo is visible in the foreground.
A vibrant street scene at dusk featuring a building adorned with colorful lanterns and outdoor seating, with numerous people walking along the path.
A lively street scene at dusk with decorative lanterns and flags, showcasing a festive atmosphere.
An elderly woman sitting on the sidewalk, surrounded by handmade crafts and colorful items for sale, including heart-shaped decorations and a large woven bag.
A vendor sits on the ground, wrapping colorful decorative lanterns while smoking a cigarette. Surrounding her are various brightly colored paper lanterns, small bags, and handmade items. Two baskets and several rods are also visible in the foreground.
A scenic view of a river at dusk, featuring boats with colorful lanterns, palm trees lining the shore, and a vibrant street illuminated by lights.
Colorful lanterns floating on a river at dusk, with reflections shimmering on the water's surface and storefronts illuminated in the background.
An elderly woman wearing a traditional conical hat smiles while sitting among colorful, illuminated lanterns for sale, set against a softly lit urban background.
An elderly woman wearing a conical hat smiles while selling brightly colored traditional candles on a street at dusk.
A wooden sign advertising local coffee at Uncle Huan Bistro, featuring a graphic of a coffee cup with a tree and the phrase 'It's coffee time.'
Colorful paper lanterns floating on water near a stone edge.
Screenshot
Street view illuminated with colorful lanterns and lights at night, featuring shops and Vietnamese flags.
A street scene at night adorned with vibrant hanging lanterns in red and yellow, illuminated by string lights. The road is lined with businesses and decorative greenery, creating a festive atmosphere.
Interior of a restaurant featuring colorful hanging lanterns, wooden furniture, and diners enjoying their meals.
A brightly lit historic building at night, featuring ornate architecture, wooden shutters, and decorative elements, surrounded by plants and lanterns.

This is probably the prettiest city I’ve seen …

One of the post-facto realisations of travel is that the memories I collect of these pretty places keeps me delighted in my moments alone. All I have to do is switch on a particular travel-memory in my head and replay all the beautiful moments there – it’s enough to put me in a great mood!

***

jaina mishra / wovensouls.com

May 2026

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This entry was posted on May 23, 2026 by in Articles about Travel and tagged , , .

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