Dien Bien Phu to Hoi An

Hmong woman weaving 

On Sunday the 17th we start in Dien Bien Phu, at the local central market to see all the vendors and goods for sale.  Its much calmer than the one we visited in Hanoi. We then explore the surrounding area with beautiful landscapes, waterfalls, terraced rice fields and indigenous villages. The hill tribes living around the area of Dien Bien Phu make up the majority of the region's population, and these ethnic minority groups include the Black Thai, Nung, Meo, Hmong, and others. We then visited a Hmong village and got to go into a house and meet the family.  This way of life is a rapidly changing part of Vietnam.

Going to market

Villagers

We then flew to Da Nang via Hanoi which involved picking up our luggage and rechecking it in Hanoi. We also met the most serious security person who thoroughly checked everyone's carry on. Da Nang is situated on a peninsula at the point where the Han River flows into the South China Sea and was a major American military base in the Vietnam war.  It is now a very pleasant city with a 12 mile beach, it was known as China beach by the Americans. Soldiers would be sent here for some R&R from bases all over the country.We pass through the nearby Marble Mountains; five limestone peaks with marble outcrops known for their beauty and their caves. At the foot of Marble Mountain, an important religious site for the Chams, with artisans crafting fine marble objects. Our day ends in Hoi An one of the most charming towns in Vietnam. The ancient town of Hoi An (formerly Faifo) lies 20 miles south of Da Nang on the banks of the Thu Bon River.

We have a wonderful dinner at the restaurant named the White Marble. Our six course meal was topped of by a wonderful Chilean Cabernet.  We settle in at the nicest hotel yet on the tour the Hoi An Historic Hotel.

Outside of the White Marble restaurant.