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VENUE > Tourism1. Hoi An Old Town - an Ancient City in Quang Nam, Vietnam - The World Heritage Hoi An Ancient Town Unlike the dynamic Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City, Hoi An Old Town seems to aside from the busy development of the country, remaining its ancient beauty from its roads to its architectural works. About 30km south of Da Nang city, Hoi An old town is really a great place to really get up close and personal with the real Vietnam, her people and past as well. Hoi An has been through a few centuries of history but still remains as in the very first days of its being born. Nowadays, tourists can see a series of old-architectured lanes and houses with nearly 100% cristinely left from their initial buildings with mossgrown walls, deeply plain roofs, old furniture in their cristine past arrangement, etc. Hoi An is fortunate to be a cultural crossroads of the Cham culture in the very first southward expansion of Dai Viet (the Vietnamese nation more than 5 centuries ago encroaching on the Indianized Kingdom of Champa, which covered much of what is now central Vietnam), the Asian (Japanese, Chinese, Indian), and the Western ones during their trading here in the 16th century. These diverse cultural influences remain visible today. Colourful guildhalls, founded by ethnic Chinese from Guangdong and Fujian provinces, stand quietly, a testament to the town’s trading roots. While Hoi An’s old-fashioned charm is always visible, on the 14th of every lunar month modernity takes another step back. Most premium oriental and western styles of architecture are found here, making a unique ancient Hoi An, absorbing all tourists who are eager for classic beauty! Even you are not classic styled, you still want to see how a lively ancient world can cristinely survive in this new modern and high-tech era! Tourists should not miss some of the great festivals of Hoi An, among which is Full Moon Festival. It is held on the 14th of every lunar month, one night before the full moon, when the Old Town becomes even more festive than usual, active and marvelously decorated with colorful lights and lamps along every lane. Another one is the Mid-Autumn Festival held on the 14th of August lunar month. Last but not least, the "lantern festival", the most enchanting and special one of Hoi An, which is typically demonstrated with all colorful hanging cloth and paper lanterns on the 15th of every lunar month switched on altogether while all electrical equipment is off, leaving the Old Quarter bathed in the warm glow of colored silk, glass and paper lanterns. A sparkling, romantic and mysterious view is opened, stimulating anybody’s curiosity and eye feed! Since Hoi An is an old Town, its places of interest are of full historically classical meaning and image. Hoi An’s symbol, the most popular remnant is the Japanese Covered Bridge (Chua Cau or Lai Vien Kieu), on the west end of Tran Phu Street. The bridge was constructed in the early 1600’s by the Japanese community. Tourists should spend time on visiting Quan Cong Temple, Museum of Culture. Many ancient style-oriented architects come here to have a direct look into the ancient houses of the town, among which are Phung Hung House, just west of the Japanese Bridge, Quan Thang House, or Tan Ky House. The design of the houses shows how local architecture incorporated Japanese and Chinese influences. Cantonese Assembly Hall (Quang Dong) has a calm courtyard with ornate statuary. You could take a peek at the half-hidden backyard and its kitschy pastel dragon statues. Hokkien (Fujian) Meeting Hall (Phuc Kien) and Chinese All-Community Meeting Hall (Trieu Chau), are also spanning the block. If you are Buddhist, there are a lot of pagodas to visit. Ong Pagoda, Quan Am Phat Tu Minh Huong Pagoda, etc. are premium places to get in. Today, Hoi An is also known as a shopping paradise that attracts tourists towards its wonderful souvenirs, handicrafts, antique pieces, silk materials, art paintings and so on. 2. My Son Holy Land: a Masterpiece of Cham Architecture - My Son Sanctuary - UNESCO World Heritage Site near Hoi An My Son Holy Land was the capital of Cham Pa Kingdom from the 4th to 5th centuries. Exemplifying the height of Cham architectural achievement, The My Son Sanctuary is a large complex of religious monuments originally consisting of more than 70 structures; the 25 vestiges of which remain today. The builders of My Son were the nobility of the Cham Pa Kingdom who derived their cultural and spiritual influences almost exclusively from India. If you are enjoying a tour to My Son Holy Land, what can not be missed is the historical story of the sanctuary to be told to you by guides. The Cham people belong to an ethnic group in Southeast Asia. They formed the core of the Muslim communities in both Cambodia and Vietnam. Cham is a remnant of the Cham Pa Kingdom (7th to 15th centuries), closely related to the Malay race. From the 4th to 15th centuries, a unique culture which owed its spiritual origins to Indian Hinduism of Cham developed on the coast of contemporary Viet Nam. This is graphically illustrated by the remains of a series of impressive tower-temples located in a dramatic site of My Son Holy Land, which was the religious and political capital of the Chăm Pa Kingdom for most of its existence. According to records on the stone stele, the prime foundation of the ancient My Son architectural complex was a wooden temple to worship the Siva Bhadreshwara genie. In the late 16th century, a big fire destroyed the temple. Step by step, historical mysteries were unveiled by scientists. Through stone stele and royal dynasties, they proved My Son to be the most important Holy Land of the Cham people during the mentioned centuries, reflecting the style and history of them. 3. Hue Hue is the only province in Vietnam that has five cultural heritages recognized by UNESCO. This ancient city is home to many worth-visiting sites, including a number of pagodas, kings’ tombs, French-colonial buildings, and Imperial city complex – the most important UNESCO World Heritage Site of the town. Coming to Hue is coming to a land with ancient and sacred places, with gentle and discreet smiles behind the conical hats of Hue girls cycling on the old-town streets to the poetic Perfume River, or brilliant sunset on the peaceful Tam Giang lagoon. Hue is best known for its royal mausoleums, imperial citadel, and iconic pagodas. Contemplate Imperial City Khai Dinh Tomb Tu Duc Tomb Minh Mang Tomb Huyen Tran Princess Temple Savor Tasty Hue Cuisine Take a Perfume River Boat Ride Thien Mu Pagoda Thanh Toan Tile-roofed Bridge Lang Co Beach |
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