Tag: Hoi An

Vagabonding in Vietnam Part II — Creeping Northwards

Hoi An – Graceful and Genial Town

We had high expectations long before arriving in Hoi An.  Many travelers we met previously raved about the place and from the get-go the town did not disappoint.  A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the old town packs in an impressive assortment of historic temples, bridges, merchant homes, picturesque alleyways, grand French colonial buildings, and creaky wooden boats along the riverside docks.  Paul and I were happy to be in the thick atmosphere and elegance of this stunning town in Vietnam.

Contented Paul with a real cappuccino in the sumptuous city of Hoi An, Vietnam
More café time Hoi An, a Vietnamese iced coffee always helps beat the heat
French villas adorn the sleepy streets of Hoi An old quarter
Paul resting in one of the traditional Chinese merchant houses in Hoi An
Paul looking pretty at the Quan Cong Temple in Hoi An
Street views from a balcony in the Hoi An old town
Paul on the waterfront of the Thu Bon River in Hoi An
Wooden boats along the Hoi An waterfront
Cycle fever: flat Hoi An is perfect for an easy pedal to the beach
Circa 1960\'s Honda 10cc motorcycle, still running after all these years
Buddhist blessing of a new car on the streets of Hoi An
Playing \"it\'s mine\" with a furry friend at the beach near Hoi An
Free-wheeling Market Economy: anything goes in Hoi An\'s riverside market
Bargaining for a knife in Hoi An, needed for peeling the delicious tropical fruits found in Vietnam
I am amazed by all the switch panels found in Asia, this one from a Chinese community assembly hall in Hoi An
It\'s easy to forget Vietnam is a one-party communist country, but occasionally one finds the hammer-and-sickle on a billboard

Once a thriving port town, the Thu Bon River silted up in the late 1800’s basically turning Hoi An into a ghost town, its old quarter effectively locked in time for a century.  After the economic rebound of Vietnam in the 1990’s, Hoi An was well positioned to gain restoration funds for the historic buildings and a flood of tourists followed suit.

Today Hoi An is a heavily touristed town but it fortunately maintains a delicate balance between the needs of visitors and the laid-back locals.  The old quarter consists of a relatively compact area, filled with monuments and buildings worth visiting.  Another highlight of Hoi An is its culinary richness.  We were immediately smitten with the food offerings in Hoi An, remarkable in a country celebrated for delectable food on every corner.

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