Hoi An, Vietnam

Hoi An Ancient town is located in Viet Nam’s central Quang Nam Province, on the north bank near the mouth of the Thu Bon River that at one point was the capital of ancient Vietnam. The town reflects a fusion of indigenous and foreign cultures (principally Chinese and Japanese with later European influences) that combined to produce this unique survival. This is considered a "must see" city in central Vietnam, and it is charming, to be sure--the City of Lanterns. We didn't avail ourselves of this, but we hear a woman talking at some length about taking a class in lantern making. This was a stop where we did typical tourist things, like traditional performances and a canal boat ride in a round woven boat. We stayed at a resort, sat by the pool and ate at restaurants where we could have ice and lettuce.

The town comprises a well-preserved complex of 1,107 timber frame buildings, with brick or wooden walls, which include architectural monuments, commercial and domestic vernacular structures, notably an open market and a ferry quay, and religious buildings such as pagodas and family cult houses. The houses are tiled and the wooden components are carved with traditional motifs. We liked it here, but I think if I were to do it over again, I would spend more time in Northern Vietnam. As Americans we are more familiar with the south, but culturally and artistically, the North is where it is at.