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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
World
Yolanthe Fawehinmi

The country that has rebranded from backpacker destination to cultural escape

Hội An is a charming, well-preserved ancient town in central Vietnam - (Getty/iStock)

“Hi, please can I have a conversation with you?” asks a 12-year-old Vietnamese boy named Peter, along with his younger brother Ethan, as I squeeze my way through a dense crowd of people in Hội An, the charming, well-preserved ancient town in central Vietnam.

The pair started learning how to speak English six months ago and were keen to practise with foreign travellers seeking a combination of comfort, culture and adventure.

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