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Published: February 17th 2007
Hoi An seems to be the only part of Vietnam not levelled by the Americans in their endeavours to stop the march of communism. It has an Old Quarter, something you can't say of Saigon. The Old Quarter is small and friendly to walk around. So small and friendly that it seems there are more tourists there than locals.
There are a nice range of restaurants from the excellent kitch high-end Mango Rooms, where most of the menu has some mango component, to a parade of excellent Vietnamese - including the excellent Thanh Phu'o'ng - with seven item set menus from just over $3 (cross the narrow bridge from the Old Quarter and turn left).
Around the Old Quarter there are a number of sites to visit, Phuc Kien Assembly Hall and the Japanese Covered Bridge being my favourites.
Hoi An has a beach only a short cycle or motorbike ride away. The beach is OK, but the vendors outnumbered the tourists and don't really let off until 4pm. My advice if you want to check out this beach, is do it in the afternoon.
A better beach, with no vendors is China Beach. China Beach is
next to Marble Mountain, a short bus ride towards Danang. I'd highly recommend taking a full day to do both Marble Mountain and China Beach. Marble Mountain has a number of caves with in-situe carved marble buddhas and a seven tier modern pagoda half way up. To reach the top of Marble Mountain there is a path that goes up through a cave and comes out of a narrow passage at the top. The views from the top are outstanding. On the coast road you cross to go to China Beach there is a very Vietnamese restaurant serving goat done in at least three different ways. Very tasty.
Another day trip I did, which I wouldn't recommend as highly, is the Champa ruins at My Son. Whilst the My Son ruins are more extensive than the Cham Towers at Nha Trang, the Cham Towers serve as active temples. Whilst My Son used to be the centre of Champa culture for over 800 years and may be occassionally dusted off for ceremonies, it has the feel of a small site at Angkor that you wouldn't glance twice at. The free cultural music and dance that is laid on at 10-30am
is pretty good, though - see pictures.
You can get cultural music and dance without leaving Hoi An - for a small admission fee - at a small theatre on Nguyrn Thai Doc - again see pictures.
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Happy (Lunar) New Year
Laurie/Mum
non-member comment
Such COLOUR!
What a RICH blog, Dave. The carving in Marble Mountain is so elegant, I suppose it wouldn't fit in your day-sac? Remembering what you brought back from Africa!! Or maybe one of the dancers??