Weather forecast: Sunny. Temperatures from 28c (82f) to 33c (91f)

We started our Vietnam trip in the chaos and madness of Hanoi. We then flew 300 miles to the peacefulness of Phong Nha Farmstay out in idyllic countryside near the Ho Chi Minh Trail. We have now travelled 205 miles by car to Hoi An which is on the coast.

We woke up today in Sunny Hoi An listening to the waves crashing onto the shoreline. We are staying at an Airbnb Villa which is virtually on the beach, 10 minutes by car outside of Hoi An. We have a lovely view of the sea from our balcony. We are going to have a restful day following our long journey yesterday.

After breakfast we are going for a walk on the beach, maybe a swim and then travel into Hoi An for lunch. After lunch we are going to see Ms Kim of Kim Only Tailor Fashion. Scott is wanting to buy two made to measure suits. I am trying to persuade Sue to have an Ao Dai made. This is the traditional costume for Vietnamese women, a silk tunic with pants. She is thinking about it!!

Scott ordered 3 suits and 4 shorts from Ms Kim, who was a lovely lady. But unfortunately
I was not successful in getting Susie to buy a Ao Dai. Had a lovely swim when we got back then relaxed in our Airbnb.

For our evening meal we went to the Wild Beach Restaurant which is just down the path from where we are staying. The restaurant is a family run by Lien, her sister Tai and husband Thuam who were so welcoming and friendly and so very keen to ensure we enjoyed our meal. Customer service at its very best.

The restaurant is nothing special to look at, its small just 6 tables for 4 people on each. It is in the front of the house where Lien and her family live. It is open plan, so you just walk straight in from the path. The chairs and tables are very basic, you can look back into the family living quarters while sat at your table. Liens three very boisterous and loveable young children were running round playing games, grandmother was trying to look after them the best she could.

A lot of the cooking is done outside in a yard at the side of the restaurant on what look like an old hot plate, very primitive and basic. But out of these basic facilities came the best meal we have had so far in Vietnam. We ordered a mountain of local food and the bill came to 1,135,000 VND which is £36. We left a tip of 300,000 VND which is £10 and Lien tried to give it us back saying it was too much.

We love the Vietnamese people, they don’t have much and what they do have they have to work very hard for but they are so helpful, welcoming and friendly and always smiling.