One of the loveliest places we visit in Vietnam is Hoi An. Hoi An is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. From the 16th to the 19th century, Hoi An was a major port for international trade. About 45 minutes’ drive from DaNang, Hoi An today is a great destination because although it is tourist friendly, it is not overrun with tourists and the city retains its natural charm.
Because of trade ties, a large number of Chinese and Japanese people settled in Hoi An and there are remnants of both. One of the attractions in town is the Japanese bridge which is a covered bridge guarded on one side by a statue of a dog and on the other by a statue of a monkey. On the bridge itself, there is a side room that was used for prayer!
A view from the Japanese bridge, Hoi An
There are beautiful Chinese assembly halls in the city. This one, Quang Dong, has elaborate mosaic covered sculptures. This is the entrance gate.
Entrance gate, Chinese temple, Hoi An, Vietnam
Like China, Vietnam has had a silk trade for many years. Hoi An is famous for its hand tailored, custom made silk dresses and suits. After several days in Vietnam, one comes to regard the Ao Dai, the traditional Vietnamese dress, as very beautiful and graceful as well as modest. They can be made to order from a large variety of colors and patterns. Amazingly, one can be fitted in the evening and have a dress ready to wear by morning.
Hoi An is also noteworthy because of the beautiful silk lanterns that are made and sold there. Each lunar month, on the 14th night of the month, the night before the full moon, the lights in the downtown area are switched off and the town is lit by only silk lanterns. Of course, silk lanterns/lampshades are available for purchase as well. Here are some.
Silk lanterns for sale in Hoi An, Vietnam
Come see Hoi An with me!
I imagine the night is beautiful when the lanterns are lit. The lanterns are also very pretty displayed as they are in front of this shop.
Beautiful photos; I particularly like the first one and its timeless quality.
Love the reflections in the first shot and the gate is an architectural work of beauty.
The lanterns are so colorful – a rainbow of sorts.
Lovely images with wonderful info!
Your shots are wonderful and so interesting….
lovely post..i love the colourful lantern display
Except for the tourist and camera, this takes me back to a time before mechanization and modern touches. I see a culture that existed for 1000 or more years, long before the short history of the US. The colors are stunning, the building shapes exquisite. It is always great to see new places, especially those rich in a new (to us) anddifferent style. Excellent tour!
Colorful! My mother had a painting teacher who traveled to Vietnam and did some lovely landscapes. The lanterns catch my attention.
Great photos. How great to be able to travel so much to these interesting areas.
Such beautiful shots!
very beautiful shots! and the colors are just so myriad. i hope someday i can go there:) my RT is up too.
Beautiful shots! You’ve captured the essence of Vietnam by only 3 photos. Happy RT! 🙂
wow what informative post about Vietnam and with those interesting photos. Thanks for sharing 🙂
Happy RT!
Those lanterns are so pretty. I’d love to see Vietnam someday, all of southeast Asia in fact. I was in Thailand about 10 years ago and fell head over heels in love with the region.
I love the far east. In China, Vietnam, and Cambodia, the people couldn’t be more welcoming or kinder. And they have all been through the type of national traumas that make me feel a kinship with them. The Asian women are beautiful and at the same time, modest. I look forward to each trip with increased anticipation.
Very nice Photo Trip.Sounds like you had a interesting trip. I love to travel. Happy Ruby Tuesday.
I really like your blogg! Your Ruby is great! So many vibrate colours. Really nice.
About your question on my blogg…I think u call them rowanberrys 🙂 In Sweden they are called “rönnbär”.
Your blog rocks… loving the variation. I do love variation for many reasons. This post makes my thought plays back home. Am from Philippines and seeing this kind of pix touches my heart. Longing home.
Thanks for sharing & have a blessed day.
Wow Vietnam is a beautiful country. My husband want to go visit there, he wants to see the place where his dad was assigned during his military life.
Thanks for your warm comment on my RT entry.
By the way, I am trying to generate some support for our daughter. We entered her into a Smile Contest, and was wondering if you could please vote for her (just once), the contest runs until October 31st. Your vote would be so much appreciated.
To cast your vote, please go to this link. Please look for Jillian Rylie Cottrill.
Thank you very much!
Rose