Hoi An

Silk Laterns

Monday the 18th was a chance to catch our breath and enjoy the city of Hoi Ann. It is recognised as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, an ancient town and is an exceptionally well-preserved example of a South-East Asian trading port dating from the 15th to the 19th century. The city remained untouched by the Vietnam war or as it is called here the American war or just "the war".

The city possessed the largest harbour in Southeast Asia in the 1st century between the seventh and 10th centuries, the Cham (people of Champa) controlled the strategic spice trade, during the 16th and 17th centuries Chinese from various provinces as well as Japanese, Dutch and Indians settled here for trading.

The Japanese Covered Bridge was built in the 16th century, perhaps even earlier. On its north side there is a pagoda, Japanese in style, which protects sailors. We visited the Tran Family Temple, has survived for 15 generations to see the fusion of Chinese and Japanese styles.

Japanese Covered Bridge

In the morning we do a walking tour of the town including the market area.  We had lunch at Morning Glory Restaurant. Chef Ms Vy’s passion and vision to create a venue where visitors could not only enjoy a gourmet Vietnamese dining experience, but could also see local Hoi An food specialities made first-hand in the open kitchen. It takes its name from the morning glory vegetable which, after rice, is the most commonly eaten food in Vietnam.

After a restful afternoon and taking laundry to Mrs. Gongs, we had dinner at Bazar Cafe. It was from the idea of three friends, Vietnamese, French and Italian, it is "the city inside the city", the lively picture of being Hoi An Ancient Town. A labyrinth of paths and corridors in the unique Historic Garden of Hoi An. We met the owner Frederico an Italian archeologist who came to Hoi An and stayed to open the restaurant

During the evening we walked along the river and bought paper lanterns with candles to float down the river.

Buggy drivers taking it easy

Burning coils of incense for good luck,

Chuc Thanh Pagoda