5 Ways to Start Your Morning Like a Local in Hoi An
Vietnam is a nation of early risers. Travelers, those who are awake in time, are often astonished to see the activity taking place around sunrise: beaches filled with enthusiastic bathers, parks alive with joggers and zumba dancers, and sidewalks humming with energy.
In Hoi An, seeing the pristine early morning light wash over the rice fields, slow-moving rivers, and the historic Old Town is an experience in itself.
At least one morning during your holiday, set your alarm for dawn, and join Vietnamese all over the country in timeless practices to appreciate and welcome the new day. Here are five authentic ways to start your morning like a local in Hoi An.
Wake The Body With Movement
Entice your cells into embracing the dawn with intentional exercises in the early morning light. The practice of Duong Sinh is a cherished part of many locals’ morning rituals. A partly indigenous Vietnamese exercise, Duong Sinh was popularised by historian Nguyen Khac Vien, and combines gentle movement with mindful breathwork.
Our hosts at Namia River Retreat offer a guided, traditional Duong Sinh session every Tuesday, Thursday & Saturday by the Thu Bon River. Try it to enliven your body and mind, and get ready for the day ahead.
Venture Out Into Nature
Travelers in Hoi An have an ideal chance to glimpse local life and explore nature in the early hours, before the heat of the day sets in. Hop on one of our bamboo bicycles at Namia River Retreat for a guided cycling tour through Hoi An’s wonderfully picturesque countryside.
Within our neighborhood of Cam Thanh, you’ll cycle along riverside canals lined with lush nipa palms and through wide, expansive rice paddies. In the village hamlets, you’ll pass colorful homes, ornate shrines, and tidy vegetable plots. You may see locals tending their land, leading farm animals to the fields, or fishing in the rivers – all part of daily life in Hoi An.
Swing By The Local Market
With so many flourishing farms all around, Hoi An’s markets are among the most vibrant you’ll find in Vietnam. Everything needed for nourishing meals can be found here. A stroll through Hoi An’s main market, just a few minutes’ from Namia River Retreat, reveals an eye-popping plethora of produce, including delicate baby herbs, plump tropical fruits, bushels of leafy greens, earthy mushrooms, just-caught seafood, homemade tofu, raw spices, and much more.
The joyful bustle of the market sellers and the abundant produce on display is worth waking up for. Local people usually come to the market early to pick up a few ingredients, and sometimes to have a meal in the food stalls surrounding the markets.
Nourish With A Bowl Of Noodles
After the early morning activity, sate your appetite with a wholesome breakfast, Vietnam style. The rice fields all around are the source of a delightful array of rice noodles of all sizes and textures. There’s nothing like a bowl of fresh noodles with tender meat, rich broth, and aromatic herbs to warm and wake up the stomach.
Our breakfast buffet at The Merchant Restaurant features a special noodle station, where the chefs are always serving a selection of delicious and authentic Vietnamese noodle dishes, including our signature: phở with paddy duck.
Savor A Slow Drip Coffee
Vietnam’s coffee culture is now legendary, and extends across the country, from the busy streets of the capital to the bucolic riverside in Central Vietnam. Before heading off to work, or shouldering the tasks of the day, there’s always time for a catch up over a cup of cà phê phin.
At Namia River Retreat, we curate and roast our own coffee blends from selected farms in Vietnam, including fine robusta from the highlands. These bold, fragrant beans are traditionally brewed in a tin drip filter, then sipped pure or mixed with sweet condensed milk. The slow drip of the phin filter always invites a moment to slow down and savor the surroundings.
Enjoying your first cup with a view of the trees, the sky, and the ever-changing river may just be the highlight of your entire day.
