2019 - Hoi An, Vietnam

6 Days Hue, Danang & Hoi An Adventure

04 - 09 July 2019

Day 5 - 8 July 2019

After breakfast we took a one hour drive to My Son where we explored the fascinating ruins and learn about the different structures and what historic role they played.

My Son Hindu Sanctuary, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a great sample of the ancient Champa civilization located in the southern part of Vietnam. It was an independent state from around the 2nd to the 17th century, at which time it was occupied by Vietnam. The impressive Hindu-themed ruins feature many beautiful stone sculptures, temples and towers in tropical jungle surroundings.
 

My Son was also a political centre and a royal burial ground and the complex consists of more than 70 structures devoted to Hindu gods and goddesses and the most noticeable one, Shiva, was considered the protector of the Champa’s kings. Their skillful use of red bricks and sandstone is remarkable.

 

Like many historic sites around the world, My Son was destroyed by time and wars and after lying neglected for a long time it was rediscovered and renovated by the French in 1898. Sadly the most recent war did great damage to the complex as the Americans bombed this area knowing that the Viet Cong used it as a hiding place, mistakenly thinking that the enemy would not touch a holy site.

 

However, the majority of the central complex managed to survive the bombs and parts of the ruins have now been rebuilt. Overall, this Hindu sanctuary reminds visitors of other similar sites in Southeast Asia including the great Angkor Wat in Cambodia. A must-visit for those who appreciate history

Entrance to My Son Sanctuary

One of the newly reconstructed ruins

Upon arrival at My Son we were entertained by some traditional Champa performances before we explore the ruins.

After exploring My Son we were driven back to Hoi An where we began our walking tour of this ancient town and introduced to the many delights of Hoi An.

 

We were introduced to a couple of interesting places like the famous Japanese Bridge, the Chinese Assembly Hall, Tan Ky Ancient Home and the China Town. Along the way we saw a few wedding couples taking their photo shoot in this ancient town. We ended up at the Hoi An local market where some of us bought more coffee, pepper and other spices as well as leather belts and wallets from the roadside stalls outside the market.

 

We begin our walking tour of Hoi An from here.

Walking along the peaceful and calm riverside

The Japanese Bridge

One of Vietnam's most iconic attractions, Hoi An's Japanese covered bridge dates back to the 18th century and is a beautiful historical piece of Japanese architecture. It is claimed that it was created by the Japanese then living in Hoi An as a way to reach the Chinese quarter across the water.

The bridge was opened by Nguyen Phuc Chu Lord in 1719 who carved three Chinese symbols above the door in commemoration. The bridge also features the sculptures of two dogs and two monkeys representing the Chinese years in which many Japanese Emperors were born along with the fact that the building of the bridge began in the year of the dog and was completed in the year of the monkey.

On the north side of the bridge you'll discover a temple dedicated to the Taoist God of weather, Tran Vo Bac De. This is where locals will often pray to stave off any impending earthquakes. The monkey and dog animal statues guard the bridge at either end along with an ancient Chinese script at one end, listing all the benefactors who contributed to the restoration of the bridge.

The two pairs of dogs (top) and monkeys (bottom) on either ends of the Japanese Bridge



Wedding Couple having their photo shoot

 

Most shops have colorful lanterns outside like this Tam Tam Café where we have our lunch

 

Our sumptuous Vietnamese lunch

 



After lunch we continue our walk to Tan Ky Ancient House. Located at 101 Nguyen Thai Hoc Street, in the Old Quarter of Hoi An Ancient Town, Tan Ky Ancient house is an almost perfect example of a 18th merchant’s residence in this major commercial port town. The name Tan Ky, meaning “Progress Shop”, was given to the house by the second generation to express the owner’s wish for a prosperous business.

In spite of the decline in business of the town and the huge devastation of annual floods, seven generations of the family have continuously strive to keep the house in good condition. Therefore though it’s not the oldest, Tan Ky is the most well-preserved in Hoi An.




Tan Ky Ancient House



Souvenirs sold inside Tan Ky Ancient House

The height of the water level during the times when floods occurred are marked on the wall inside Tan Ky Ancient House. Daniel pointed to the flood water level in Nov 2017 when he last visited.

 

Another couple having their photo shoot in this narrow alley that we walked through

 

 

 

 

Until the end of the 18th century, Hoi An was Vietnam’s main port-of-call, and home to a large number of foreign traders. Above all, the city was popular with the Chinese, many of whom established a permanent presence among the Vietnamese. Communities from the various regions of China built Assembly Halls: social and religious buildings in which they could congregate and worship their ancestral gods. Among the most famous is the Fujian Assembly Hall

Entrance to Fujian Assembly Hall

Incense in the temple of Fujian Assembly Hall

The last stop of our Hoi An walking tour is the Central Market where we did more shopping 

Food Court entrance of Hoi An Central Market

Built in 1848. the rectangular building included sections for fresh produce, meat, and fish. You can get most of what you need here. If you go early, at 5 am, you can get fresh meat and fish. Fruits and vegetables are readily available all day long, and so is coffee, pantry ingredients, and household tools.

 

We entered the market through the food courts entrance. Since it was in the late afternoon it was not crowded and we are free to bargain till we are satisfied with prices.

 



A stall selling colorful lighted lanterns







Tonight we have BBQ dinner in the hotel. Apparently the hotel have reserved the whole restaurant for us. Besides the BBQ there was a wide spread of buffet menu that is more than enough to feed the 22 of us.

 

 



 

Day 6 - 9 July 2019

 

After breakfast we drove to the Cam Thanh Water Coconut Village where we had our first experience seating in a round bamboo basket boat. Each boat carry three persons including the boatman or boatwoman who are very skillful in maneuvering  the boat.

 

Off we go for our bamboo basket boat ride

Rings made from palm leaves by our boatwoman

Fisherman throwing his net to catch fish

Young boatman demonstrating his skill

Boatman with his mobile disco machine

Lili joining the dance on the basket boat

Spinning the basket boat at high speed



Umbrellas are needed to shelter the hot sun

After the boat ride we were serve some cut fruits

After this we had lunch before we left for the airport for our flight back to Malaysia.

Our last meal together before the tour ends

Our last lunch menu

 

After lunch we arrived early at the Danang International Airport to board our flight AK641 departing at 15:45 and arriving KLIA2 at 19:30. Despite some minor incidents that affect a few of us we thank God for the wonderful trip and the fellowship and comradeship we had together throughout the tour. We look forward to more such trips together while we are still physically able to travel.