Beyond the Lanterns: Exploring Hoi An's Culinary Heart by Vespa

For many visitors, Four Seasons Resort The Nam Hai, Hoi An is defined by its lantern-lined streets, historic architecture and riverside charm. Yet beyond the UNESCO-listed Ancient Town lies another side of the destination, one best discovered after sunset, when locals pull up plastic stools, street-side kitchens come to life and the city's most beloved dishes are served exactly as they have been for generations.

At Four Seasons Resort The Nam Hai, guests can experience this authentic side of Central Vietnam through the Hoi An Foodie Vespa Adventure, an evening journey that combines local storytelling, iconic regional dishes and some of the city's most cherished culinary addresses. Travelling pillion on a vintage Vespa, guests trade traditional sightseeing for a deeper exploration of the neighbourhoods, backstreets and gathering places where Hoi An's food culture truly thrives.

The adventure unfolds across five carefully selected stops, each revealing a different chapter of Hoi An's culinary story. Along the way, guests sample dishes that have become synonymous with the city itself, beginning with Bánh Xèo, the crisp savoury Vietnamese pancake whose combination of textures and fresh herbs reflects the region's emphasis on balance and flavour. Another stop spotlights Hoi An Chicken Rice, one of the destination's most iconic specialties, where fragrant turmeric rice and tender chicken come together in a dish deeply rooted in local culinary traditions.

No exploration of Hoi An's cuisine would be complete without tasting White Rose dumplings, delicate translucent parcels handmade using a closely guarded family recipe that has become one of the city's most recognisable dishes. As guests move from one venue to the next, guides share the stories behind each dish, the families who prepare them and the role food continues to play in everyday life throughout the city.

Between tastings, the journey offers a glimpse into the rhythms of local life. Vespas weave through lively streets and quieter residential districts, revealing a side of Hoi An that many visitors never encounter. The route intentionally moves beyond the well-known tourist areas, connecting guests with neighbourhood restaurants, hidden culinary gems and community gathering places that have built loyal followings over decades.

One of the evening's highlights arrives just before dusk. Guests pause for cocktails overlooking expansive rice fields as the sun begins to set across the countryside. Here, the pace slows. Golden light settles across the landscape, farmers make their final journeys home and conversations drift effortlessly between food, culture and travel. It is a moment that captures one of Hoi An's lesser-known but equally compelling identities: a region where rural traditions remain closely connected to contemporary life.

The evening culminates back in the Ancient Town, where guests board a traditional lantern boat and glide along the Thu Bon River. Surrounded by the glow of hundreds of colourful lanterns reflected on the water, participants release their own lanterns, joining a centuries-old tradition believed to carry wishes and good fortune downstream. It is a fitting conclusion to an experience that celebrates not only the flavours of Hoi An, but also the customs, stories and moments of connection that make the destination so special.