The Great Escape: Hoi An, Vietnam
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shop
Hoi An's narrow streets are lined with the showrooms of roughly 200 tailors. Come prepared: Clip pictures of styles you like from magazines, or bring along something that fits just right. Virtually anything can be copied at shops like To To Boutique (32-34 Ba Trieu St.), Tuong Lai Tailor (586 Cua Dai Rd.), and Thu Thuy Silk (60 Le Loi St.). Prices vary based on fabric, but basic cotton shirts and pants start at $15; dresses, at $25.
stay
With its infinity pool and newly expanded spa, the Life Heritage Resort is a haven on the Thu Bon River, just a short walk from the center of Hoi An. The decor is polished but warm, with dark wood furniture and soft white linens in the 419-square-foot rooms, whose adjoining patios are large enough to gather on for drinks (011-84/510-391-4555, life-resorts.com, from $159).
eat
Everything about the Mango Rooms restaurant is bold, from the yellow and green walls to the flavorful dishes (think prawns tempura tossed with garlic and peppers, and bluefin tuna topped with mango salsa). The bar is usually packed with customers sipping, yes, mango-infused versions of classic cocktails (011-84/510-391-0839, entrées from $3).
do
Half-day classes at the Red Bridge Cooking School start with a visit to the Central Market, followed by a 25-minute boat ride to the school's open-air kitchen, where you'll learn to make delicate rice-paper-wrapped shrimp rolls (011-84/510-393-3222, visithoian.com, $23).
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