We didn’t really think about, how geographically long Vietnam is! We presumed we could just take a relatively quick train/bus from Ho Chi Min to Hoi An. But the day before we wanted to go, we found out the train took 17 hours and the bus took 19 yikes. This country is long!! and we are getting a bit too relaxed with our planning these days hehe a bit too go with the flow maaan. Hey young 20 somethings you got the train and bus for yourselves… we’re flying!! (1 and a bit hours is all it took). We were so lucky. We found 2 seats and our last minute one way flights were $50 each. Horse shoes 🙂
“Hoi An” means “peaceful meeting place” This port has been here since 1595, but traces of human habitation in the area date back 2,200 years. It is a people place. Hoi An in its heyday was THE trading port in the South China Sea, famous for ceramics and beautiful silk. It was a vital link in the trade routes between Europe and China, India and Japan, with ships coming from countries including Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines, Spain, Portugal, Holland, Britain and America. Now, this once bustling hub is now a thriving UNESCO World Heritage site welcoming tourists every year. And boy have they have done it right. The delightful old streets and alley ways with their pastel painted buildings perched at the curb are all closed off to cars.
The iconic Vietnamese bamboo hat or Non La is used by everyone young and old. And really it is an ingeniously designed accessory. Used as protection from the sun and rain, a basket for vegetables to use when shopping at the market, or even as a bowl to drink water from. You can see why it is still an essential wardrobe item.
We spent a good few days exploring the old town wandering the lovely streets where children played, mums chatted and old timers played cards. Such a pretty place. The coffee was good too.
Around the old town are many significant houses temples shrines and meeting halls. Tan Ky Old House, is an ebony, dark, creaking house that transports you back to the old days. It has that echo of hundreds of years of celebrations, family laughter and tears. The original family still lives here now (7th generation) Tan Ky is the most well-preserved merchants house in Hoi An
Many of the old buildings have been turned into little shops, selling custom tailored clothes, beautiful handmade leather bags, custom shoes, silk shawls all embroidered and silk painted scarves and everything else in between. The standard of artistry was very high and the prices very reasonable. Sadly I couldn’t buy half the things I wanted. NO space!!.
Our first view of Hoi An’s most famous sight was a glittering night one. The Japanese Covered Bridge built 400 years ago. There were so many people were down by the river, it was lovely though and added to the atmosphere.We took a touristy boat ride amongst the candles.
Mỹ Sơ n Sanctuary is about 40 kms from Hoi An and a place we had really been looking forward to visiting. Pure joy for us, this is the adventure, right here the solitude, the wild-ness, and an ancient temple heaven for us.
This sacred mountain inspired the Cham people to build their first temple here 1000 years ago.
It never gets old – wild green jungle, a tangle of flowers and a 1000 year old temple standing in the quiet. We got here at seven as the first golden rays hit the warm brick – golden hour. Alone, it is the only way to soak in the atmosphere and imagine the days long gone – our company, a watchful temple dog and a flutter of butterflies.
Around the temple complex we could see deep bomb craters. In 1968, the United States Air Force carpet bombed the whole area including Mỹ Sơ n and much of the jungle around it. In an attempt to stamp out the Viet Cong who were hiding in this area. So much of the site was destroyed. It is amazing there is anything left. In this pic you can see the crater and a bombed temple, under tarps waiting for reconstruction – hopefully it will happen one day.
We borrowed 2 push bikes form our guest house and peddled our way through the rice paddies for a day at An Bang beach. We saw this guy jump on the back of his buffalo as we were approaching – ooh I thought nice photo so stopped, asked permission, snapped a pic and then found myself embroiled in a payment plan – sighh I fell into a trap – so this pic was paid for so I’m using it haha. I never learn !!
An Bang lovely sandy beach and honestly the cleanest beach we have been on this trip. Best beach food too we had a platter of mahi mahi done in different ways barbecued, ceviche and sashimi rolled in daikon delicious
We happened to be visiting at the time of the Autumn Full Moon Festival. So many little, medium and big boys practising their dragon dances. Super busy on the night, super fun and super dark no photos! And a couple of food pics the famous Pho soup.
We were fortunate to find a 10 out of 10 guest house. So comfortable sparkling clean and Linh and her husband so helpful. Everything was done with such care and attention. Look at these breakfasts that were included in our nightly rate of $18 for both of us. Incredible.
We loved Hoi An, we will be back next year, for a few months next time. 🙂
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