Hoi An

Hoi An is an ancient port town which had its heyday some 5 centuries ago. Chinese, Portuguese, Japanese, Dutch and Indians came to trade here. It is a UNESCO Heritage Site because of the preserved town and buildings.

The road approach to the town is actually from a fluvial island. Our driver dropped us, including the guide, off near the bridge to the town, on the river bank. We were served an indifferent dinner at a local restaurant before the allocated time for us to explore the town. Lanterns feature heavily at dusk in Hoi An.

This is the bridge to the old town. The timing of the excursion had been chosen so that we would arrive at sunset, when the river is prettiest.

Naturally there were lots of tourists but apparently Vietnamese come here to take wedding photos, like the couple in the middle of the photo.

A charming little café.

Another wedding couple. The woman in red was stunning. In later photos the photographer instructed them to get closer.

Notice the Chinese name of the building, which indicates a business, probably a trader's.

Tourists taking xich lo, or cyclo, rides.

You can also take boat excursions. This one was probably aimed at Koreans or at least K-pop enthusiasts.

Do the locals not recycle?

Cafés get more attractive as the evening progresses.

Even an old temple or house looks good in the twilight.

It was a good combination of lamplight and ultramarine skies.

The temperature was cool and not oppressive. Next month would be the start of the hot season though.

An old medicine shop.

The pedestrian bridge.

The lights of the new town on the island, and boats in the river channel.

More shops and restaurants there.

Another wedding couple at the lantern shop.

I was sorely tempted to buy a durian, but it would have been unwelcome at the hotel and anyway I had no way of opening one.

Night markets were running and I had some nước mía, sugar cane juice.

It was 30-45 minute drive back to Da Nang, then I retired early due to the timezone change, 3 hours behind home.