A Fashionista's Paradise

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This is the town the fashion articles talk about. Surrounded by lush rice fields and beautiful beaches is Hoi An: a quaint Vietnamese village with wall-to-wall tailor shops and floor-to-ceiling fabric depots. Those who have done their research come here armed with pictures from Esquire and Vogue ready to make their dream attire. Whether it's an Armani suit or a wedding dress from the pages of Bride magazine, they'll sew it just for you at 1/10th of the cost. After a few speedy fittings, you could have the dress of your dreams in less than 36 hours.

I was giddy at the thought of replacing all my clothes from the 80's. Finally I was going to be fashionable! I scoped out the tailor shops, thumbed through rows of fabric, and talked to some fellow travelers for recommendations. But as soon as I stepped into a tailor shop, I froze. Vietnamese ladies came at me like ferocious salesmen. "You look good in this, you should buy three." "You could have one of each color." "Would you like shoes to go with that?" Suddenly, I'm naked in a fitting room; a Vietnamese woman is measuring my bust while simulatneously zipping me into a dress. Swatches of fabric are being thrown on the table and pages of magazines are flying the air like I'm on the floor of the stock exchange. Before I know it, I have bought three dresses, one skirt, a silk shirt and a pair of high heels...all made to fit me. Fourty-eight hours and three fittings later, Mark and I each had a new wardrobe for just under $100.

Hoi An isn't just about tailor-made fashion. If you hop on a cruiser, you can head out to China Beach or meander through the rice fields while kids run after you shouting "allo!" This is the Vietnam the movies and post-cards are all about...with the workers in the rice fields wearing conical bamboo hats and flowing white fabric, neighbors helping each other build their Italian-like villa's while their kids play in the street. This is the Vietnam we will never forget. This is the Vietnam we choose to remember.

Goodbye Vietnam. Tomorrow we fly back to Thailand.

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Comments

[gabe]

Mark, I really can't wait to see you in your new dresses! So glad you two did this trip and are taking full advantage of the local fare. I also cannot wait to see you stateside for some local fare and spring cycling.