Characters of Hoi An
This week I want to introduce you to some of the wonderful characters we have met. Vietnam is a warm and friendly country and so many people have gone out of their way to help us and show unimaginable kindness, but amid this we have discovered some truly inspiring, warm and colorful characters
Sinh To Lady
Not surprisingly I will start at the market where I seem to spend so much of my time. Let me introduce first to Ha, the lady who makes “Sinh To” or fruit cup, not sure if this is the official translation but my Vietnamese is not that good yet. She works from dawn every day at her little fruit cart preparing the most wonderful concoction of local fresh fruits, condensed milk, crushed ice and topped with crispy coconut. This is a healthy breakfast snack loved by locals but as my breakfast hours are slightly different, it makes a great mid morning refresher after the heat of the market. She now lets us have half price “Sinh To”- well that or at the start she was charging us double !!
Tao - the Banh Xeo Lady
Across the market is an incredible lady, Tao, who makes Banh Xeo all day sat around her 7 little frying pans. Not much of a job you’re thinking but this little business has enabled her to send all her children to school and now university. With her mother to help sometimes they always fuss over us and we can’t resist a 2nd or 3rd pancake before we move off. The only challenge we have here is the mother loves to get us to try the hot chili sauce, I’m sure for the amusement of the locals and any violent reactions could have you falling from the tiny stools provided – somewhat like a sitting on a toadstool
The Xima Man
On the street outside the market opposite the Hoi An orphanage sits daily an incredible man, Mr Xima – this is not his name but we nicknamed him after the Xima he is selling. Now I Know that no-one has a clue what Xima is but this is a wonderfully nutrious dish famous in the area for its health benefits.
All mothers feed their children Xima to keep them healthy. All sounding great until you see it – it is completely black, made from semolina. Despite the look it is wonderfully sweet. Well Mr Xima is now over 90 and has sat in the same spot for many many years to provide for his family. He has been able to
educate his children and his son is now a doctor. So why is he still here – well today he continues to sell his Xima to the families of Hoi An but all proceeds are given to the orphanage opposite where he sits.
All mothers feed their children Xima to keep them healthy. All sounding great until you see it – it is completely black, made from semolina. Despite the look it is wonderfully sweet. Well Mr Xima is now over 90 and has sat in the same spot for many many years to provide for his family. He has been able to
educate his children and his son is now a doctor. So why is he still here – well today he continues to sell his Xima to the families of Hoi An but all proceeds are given to the orphanage opposite where he sits.
The Street Sellers
As with any tourist town, there come the obligatory street sellers and Hoi An is no different. Luckily they are now recognizing us and we seem to escape the endless bracelet, postcard, and lucky charm sellers who say Luvvly Jubbly all the time once they realize you are from England and every hour, every day is happy hour! Many of the sellers are children and irrespective of your view on child sellers this is a fact of life here. Amongst them is a beautiful little girl called Chanh with immaculate English and she always wears a cute little pink anorak. She always stops to speak to us although she knows we aren’t going to buy anything and one day I discovered her love of ice cream – so now when we see her I take her to buy her favourite coconut ice cream and the delight on her face is worth every penny.
Y and his Candle Lanterns
By the riverside most evenings is Y and his mother, Y is 5 years old and sells candle lanterns to float on the river whilst making a wish. For just a dollar all your wishes can come true if you buy his little lantern. He always has a smile and he is now learning a few more English words from us as we stop to chat each time we see him.
Ba - 90 years old
Across the Japanese bridge is a favourite character of ours, who I have no doubt has many stories to tell. Ba is 90 years old and has such a wonderful face etched with incredible character from her experiences. Today she sits everyday with a tiny stall selling clay whistles in the shape of animals to tourists. She also stocks tiger balm which we buy always from her – our cupboard is now overloaded and I am positive it is cheaper in the pharmacy but the chance to chat with her and see her wonderful smile means we don’t care.
The "Xich Lo" driver
Finally in town is our trusted “Xich Lo” or cyclo driver. Hao has ridden a cyclo for more than 30 years to keep his family and loves nothing more than a sunny day and lots of tourists to secure a profitable day. For very little he will cycle all over town with you sharing history and insights of his town proudly.
"Huggy"
Back down at An Bang beach I cannot complete my story of the characters without a mention for “Huggy” definitely not his real name but he is the parking attendant at An Bang beach who guards your bike or motorbike religiously. He always checks you have your helmet on and helps with your bags. So why “huggy” well this colourful character insists on hugging you each time he sees you like a long lost friend which quickly you feel he is.
All day, 7 days a week, he mans his parking area and the cost to park
just 9 pence or 6 pesos for the entire day !
All day, 7 days a week, he mans his parking area and the cost to park
just 9 pence or 6 pesos for the entire day !
These are just a few of the wonderful characters we have met so far and I have no doubt that a part 2 on this topic will feature in the future as we continue to meet people and hear their wonderful stories. Only yesterday
the man we hire our motorbikes from spotted us on the beach and invited us to join him and his extended family for lunch and to share a beer. Without a thought they shared their lunch and we toasted with beer
learning the 1, 2, 3, cheers tradition in Vietnam.
the man we hire our motorbikes from spotted us on the beach and invited us to join him and his extended family for lunch and to share a beer. Without a thought they shared their lunch and we toasted with beer
learning the 1, 2, 3, cheers tradition in Vietnam.