Hoi An could easily be one of the most romantic cities in the world. A 45 minute drive from Danang, Hoi An is the opposite of the bustling city a couple miles away. Here, time slows down and seems to stop all together. A town stuck in time, Hoi An is a UNESCO World Heritage site that has proven quite popular amongst honeymooners for its quaint buildings and its dreamy lanterns. The buildings, painted in bright hues of orange and accented with ocean blue teals, are weathered and worn giving the town an rich aged look that attracts people from all over.
Walking through Hoi An’s streets is a real treat. The town has not changed much since its trading port days although most of its buildings have been repurposed to house tailors, restaurants, and shops. One building in particular that stuck out was the one that housed The Hill Station. Full of character and heritage, its walls were probably once a bright shade of turmeric, but now acted as a weathered canvas for its bright turquoise windows. Simple yet striking, it’s impossible to walk past the shop without curiously peering inside.
Beyond its doors, the shop was warm, cozy, and most importantly, dry. The space was full of people who, like me, were looking for a warm meal and respite from the rain. Said people were enjoying a warm mug of coffee or tea, or a pint of locally made craft beer. If you wanted to skip the drinks and go for something savory instead, The Hill Station also has a deli to the back that sold artisan cheeses and quality deli cuts.
We ordered an Americano, two types of teas, and The Hill Station’s homemade burger. Their coffee is fair, but what really draws the crowds to The Hill Station is their locally made craft beer and warm atmosphere. The food is also good, and I definitely recommend perusing through their cold-display.
During its construction, the ground floor was tweaked slightly, but the upper floor was left unchanged. Painted in baby blue, the upper floor looked untouched by time, although now a couple tables and chairs made it a place to convene with family and friends or watch the people go by from the balcony that overlooked the street.
As interesting as the building’s history is, the history of the shop is equally intriguing. It all started on a vacation back in 2004 when Tommy first came to Vietnam from his native Norway with a couple friends. Long story short, what was supposed to be a brief trip has now become a 12 year love affair with the Southeast Asian country.
Tommy opened the first Hill Station a couple years ago in Sapa, a town in Northern Vietnam that was once a French hill station. Fast forward a couple years, and Tommy opened a shop in the enchanting town of Hoi An. Drawn in by the building’s look and heritage, The Hill Station has since been serving honeymooners in this fairytale town.
This Hill Station is a deli, but the one in Sapa is a boutique hotel while their outlet in Hanoi leans more towards beers and tapas. Throughout all their locations, The Hill Station passionately feautures local Vietnamese fare such traditional rice wines and local artwork.
I suppose it is difficult to leave behind a country that is so full of wonders and beauty, so it’s no wonder Tommy decided to settle down here. It’s clear to see that The Hill Station was made with love by someone who is passionate about the country, its history, and its people. For people passing through Hoi An during their honeymoon or vacation, with great fare and warm atmosphere, The Hill Station is bound to be a memborable highlight of any trip.
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Many thanks to Tommy for the kindness and hospitality.
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