Category Archives: Vietnam

River Wonderland along the Mekong Delta

20 Wednesday Sep 2017

Posted by in Mekong Delta, Vietnam

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From Vĩnh Tràng Chùa My Tho, we drove the short distance to the Mekong River. We hopped on to our boat #38 and travelled across the river to Unicorn Island to spend time wandering and exploring. Unicorn Island appeared to be pretty substantial in its own right.

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We stopped at the local markets, saw sting-less bees making honey which we tasted and then stopped for the most refreshing kumquat and honey tea.

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It was then a long walk to where we stopped for a short rest, enjoyed many of the local fruits and entertainment and listened to traditional Vietnamese music.

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From here we walked in to the centre of the island where we took boats up the stream through the mangroves and jungle.  I have never been to the Amazon Jungle but the thought of it crossed my mind as we were making our way along this very narrow river through thick dense forest like trees.

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We stopped at a coconut processing workshop. The busy ladies there will not be disturbed as we watched their fast hands get the most out of a coconut. You have no idea how much can be produced from a coconut, from oil, water, candy to cosmetics. Every part of the coconut is valuable and nothing goes to waste. We tasted the coconut candy which was really sweet and 100% natural.

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After this I tried the local snake wine which reminded me of some grappa that I have had after a meal when in Italy.

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From here we headed off to a very large outdoor restaurant to enjoy a typical Vietnamese lunch which consisted of whole fish, pancakes, sticky rice balls, soup, spring rolls, green vegies and watermelon to finish off.  Wine and beer was available which many of us indulged in.

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The Mekong Delta in southern Vietnam is a vast maze of rivers, swamps and islands, home to floating markets, Khmer pagodas and villages surrounded by rice paddies. Boats are the main means of transportation

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My trip on the Mekong Delta was a great way to enjoy a day away from the hustle and bustle of the city.  

Travelling by boat was a wonderful way to see the sights from the water

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Amazing Palace-Like Pagoda, in Southern Vietnam.

10 Sunday Sep 2017

Posted by in Vietnam, Vĩnh Tràng Pagoda and Buddhist temple

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It was an early start for us to go to the Mekong Delta which included a visit to Vĩnh Tràng Chùa Buddhist temple on the way.

At about 8am, we were picked up by coach at our hotel in Ho Chi Minh City (which is commonly referred to as Saigon, its former name) and driven to My Tho city. A drive  which took about 2 hours. Mama Mia, the traffic driving to My Tho was so bad that I made a promise to myself to never complain about Brisbane traffic again. Of course that was a silly promise.

Mỹ Tho city is located in the Mekong Delta region and is where we stopped to visit the Vĩnh Tràng Pagoda and Buddhist temple which is one of the best known temples in the region.

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Vĩnh Tràng Chùa

The architecture of Vinh Trang Pagoda is a harmonious combination of Asian and European types of architecture, creating the splendid, but simple features of this Buddhist pagoda.

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Vĩnh Tràng Chùa
Vĩnh Tràng Chùa
Vĩnh Tràng Chùa
Vĩnh Tràng Chùa
Vĩnh Tràng Chùa

The complex has been renovated and looks outstanding with three huge Buddhas: reclining, sitting and standing outside signifying the past, the present and the future.

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The beautifully landscaped grounds are magnificent. It is an easy place to spend some delightful time wandering around taking in the stunning architecture, the gardens, the statues and the serene atmosphere.

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Vĩnh Tràng Pagoda and Buddhist temple

The pagoda is surrounded by gardens of ornamental trees, ancient trees and bonsai, creating a peaceful atmosphere. It provided shelter for Vietnamese patriots and is recognized as a national historical and cultural relic by the government.

Vĩnh Tràng Pagoda and Buddhist temple
Vĩnh Tràng Pagoda and Buddhist temple
Vĩnh Tràng Pagoda and Buddhist temple
Vĩnh Tràng Pagoda and Buddhist temple
Vĩnh Tràng Pagoda and Buddhist temple
Vĩnh Tràng Pagoda and Buddhist temple

The gardens of the temple are decorated with many pot plants full of exquisite flowering shrubs, flowers and trees and my favourite, the water lilies in the beautiful ponds.

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If you truly enjoy the outdoors and beautiful Asian and European types of architecture, you should not miss Vinh Trang Pagoda, an ancient southern Vietnam architectural gem.

Real Ruins of South East Asia – Mỹ Sơn

16 Sunday Jul 2017

Posted by in Mỹ Sơn, Vietnam

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Hidden in the Hills not far from Hoi An is this small but impressive collection of brick Hindu Temples, Mỹ Sơn, which was constructed between the 4th and the 14th century AD by the kings of Champa.  Like many historic sites around the world, Mỹ Sơn was destroyed by time and wars and after lying neglected for a long time it was rediscovered and renovated by the French in 1898. Sadly the most recent war did great damage to the complex as the Americans bombed this area knowing that the Viet Cong used it as a hiding place, mistakenly thinking that the enemy would not touch a holy site.

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We were picked up by coach with our guide  from our hotel around 8 am reaching Mỹ Sơn about 9.15. Upon arrival, we took the shuttle bus from the entrance gate to the start of the path leading to the ruins.  We then walked along this path about another 2 km in a very pleasant valley up to the temples.  The walk to and from the site itself is lovely,  through a tropical forest by a bubbling, sacred stream.

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Overwhelmingly quiet, the site has a distinct feeling of history.  Also a visual memory of how close during the war they could have lost this wonderful site.

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As an attraction this is definitely something different and well worth taking the time to see. We were there for about 2 hours in the morning and it was hot. You will do a reasonable amount of walking and this is not a place I would recommend visiting during the heat of the day. The best time to visit is early in the morning before it gets too hot and when it is not too busy with loads of  buses and tourists.  It is a small site which is much more pleasant with few folks around. Sun hat, water, sun block, and sunglasses were necessary for us .

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Mỹ Sơn is a fascinating, short and easy  attraction. We were extremely impressed and highly recommend it. 

Tuk Tuk around Siem Reap plus its exciting Night Life.

28 Sunday May 2017

Posted by in Cambodia, Siem Reap Tuk Tuk, Vietnam

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It was about a 5 hour coach trip from our hotel in Phnom Penh to Siem Reap,  a resort town in northwestern Cambodia, and gateway to the ruins of Angkor, including the main temple of Angkor Wat.

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Siem Reap is a fast-growing city with plenty of new hotels, restaurants and nightclubs. Actually we really enjoyed Siem Reap.

We found the most effective way to get around Siem Reap is by Tuk Tuk (or Remork, as the locals call them). For short trips flag one down; for tours ask your hotel or guesthouse for advice. We used them day and night. In actual fact there were always Tuk Tuks parked outside our hotel waiting on standby day and night. We ended up having the same Tuk Tuk driver each time, Mr Peach. It was like he was always waiting for us. He was very patient in answering all our questions and we even learned a bit of their history through him. He speaks English quite well so it was easy for us to communicate.  Most importantly he makes you feel comfortable and safe. And the tuk tuk itself is nice and clean and comfortable.

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We hired Mr Peach for a few hours on our last morning in Siem Reap to take us on a private tour around the city. We headed out into the city streets and the back alleys and got a little taste of how the locals live and work.  My friend and I had a great trip in Siem Reap. Mr Peach was a really nice driver, he takes the time to explain things (Cambodia culture, history, his own family, etc), and takes initiative in showing extra spots.  It was a great little tour and left us with a great impression of Siem Reap. This was an experience to remember.

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Smile! Cambodians are extremely friendly, and smiles go a long way. They are the nicest, friendliets people I have encountered and I have travelled the world!

In the evenings Mr Peach took us to Pub Street – an evening time Must Visit. I read about Pub Street before visiting Siem Reap but was still pleasantly surprised when I arrived. I wasn’t expecting such a bustling area in Siem Reap. The street is closed for traffic at night, giving it a festival atmosphere.

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Pub Street is the main street in Siem Reap for Bars and restaurants. Walk down the street and you can chose from almost any cuisine in the world – Burgers/American – Pizza/Italian – Greek – German – Thai – Australian etc. plus a good selection of local Cambodian (Khmer) restaurants.

It is quiet during the day but comes alive after dark and is the go to tourist destination in the town. Drinks are cheap (G&T, cocktails cost $US 1.50, Draft Beer $US 0.50) during happy hour, which in many places seems to last all night.  You can find every type of food from fried grasshoppers and tarantulas to rib eye steaks in Pub Street.

Close to Pub Street, just across a little bridge is the night market where you can pick up more souvenirs, clothes and much more. Once again a great atmosphere with live music.

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Pub Street is an excellent place…. Rather than just a street of pubs, it is actually a district of pubs, clubs & restaurants around the old market.

 

Da Nang and its Protector

18 Thursday May 2017

Posted by in Da Nang and Lady Buddha, Vietnam

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It was only about a 30 minute drive from our hotel in Hoi An to Da Nang, which is a coastal city in central Vietnam.  Da Nang is known for its sandy beaches and history as a French colonial port, also its beautiful scenery and great local food.

It was my first time to Vietnam and of course to Da Nang. What an amazing surprise!!! Da Nang is really lovely with its tranquil expansive beaches which are lined with many new resorts, and surrounded with breath taking mountains and natural beauty. It certainly is a fantastic vacation option for us Aussies as it is only about a 10 hour flight from Australia. The accommodation is luxurious and very affordable.  Yes, we did stay in Hoi An and really enjoyed it.  In fact I plan to return to Vietnam to stay and spend more time in Hoi An.

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We toured the city and beach areas of Da Nang including walking along the park areas of the main beach.  Although we did not actually visit the Dragon Bridge we viewed it from the beach.  This unique bridge was designed and built in the shape of a dragon and to breathe fire and water which it does each Saturday and Sunday night at 9. Another reason for me to return to Hoi An to see this amazing display

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On the Son Tra Peninsula overlooking  Da Nang harbour stands a 67 meter statue of the Bodhisattva of Mercy, otherwise known as Lady Buddha. The views and the size of Lady Buddha are truly stunning. This bright white statue in the pagoda complex was originally built in the 18th century during the reign of Emperor Ming Mang and has since been restored.

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This majestic Lady Buddha which is the tallest Buddha statue in south east Asia is so imposing in Da Nang that you really cannot miss Her no matter how far you are within town along the beachfront. The surrounding temples and pagoda add more prestige to this special tourist hot spot. In addition, the meticulously manicured bonsai and gardens make this place exceptional.

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The atmosphere here is so serene and although there were many tourists everyone seemed to be caught up in the peacefulness of the Lady Buddha, the pagoda, the beautiful temple gate and the magnificent views of Da Nang and its harbour.

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A visit to Da Nang would most certainly include a trip up to see Lady Buddha. It is such an amazing statue that you couldn’t possibly miss seeing her.

Beautiful Lake in the middle of Hanoi

03 Wednesday May 2017

Posted by in Hoan Kiem Lake, Hanoi, Vietnam

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On our last day in Hanoi, directly after breakfast, we walked to the Old Centre to hire an Electric Car with a driver for a tour around Hanoi’s Old Quarter and Hoan Kiem Lake area. We found the booking stall on Dinh Tien Hoang Street- the tree-lined boulevard right next  to Hoan Kiem Lake. We paid 300,000VND for the car with a driver to take us around the Old Centre and the Lake which lasted about an hour.

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Hồ Hoàn Kiếm (meaning “Lake of the Returned Sword” or “Lake of the Restored Sword”), also known as Hồ Gươm (Sword Lake), is a lake in the historical centre of Hanoi. The lake is one of the major scenic spots in the city and serves as a focal point for its public life.

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Walking around the lake is one of the most popular activities for both locals and tourists in Hanoi, however we chose to hire the car as we were limited with time.  It is also a popular area for running, jogging and exercising. If you have the time, an early morning walk around this lake would be a wonderful way to start your day. Stop for your morning coffee or stay for lunch. It is easy to get around as you are not constantly avoiding thousands of motorbikes.

We were delighted with our driver who spoke enough English to give us an excellent tour of the areas. He stopped many times for photo opportunities and explained many of the symbols, buildings and traditions along the way.

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There are many monuments all around the lake that give a sense of history and cultural diversity in this special place. There are also many cafes and restaurants well positioned for a view to the lake.

The Old Quarter is packed with charming colonial architecture, Buddhist temples and pagodas. It is Hanoi’s major commercial district. It’s heart and soul is exposed in the ancient commercial streets which are named after their original businesses dating back about 1000 years.

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Expect to find plenty of hip café, bars, a variety of restaurants, bakeries, boutique shops and art galleries in this historical area.

There are lots of places to eat and drink. It is so full of life – Wonderful.

“Surprise” – In Ha Long Bay

23 Sunday Apr 2017

Posted by in Sung Sot Cave, "Surprise" Cave, Vietnam

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The morning of our second day of our cruise on Ha Long Bay, directly after breakfast, while it was still very early, we took the tender boat in to see Sung Sot Cave (Surprise Cave).

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Sung Sot Cave is a large cave of 12.200 square meters. The cave has three compartments and high ceilings with lots of stalactites in various shapes. The ceiling’s maximal height is 30 meters

The mouth of Sung Sot Cave is about 25 meters above the sea level. Next to the entrance to the cave, there is a stone in the shape of a horse and a long sword.

This huge cave is considered one of the new 7 wonders of the world. It was discovered by a local fisherman.

Our Cruise tour guide was able to educate us on many fun and interesting facts on the cave formations and what they mean to the Vietnamese people.  He joked about the reason it was called “Surprise Cave” as he pointed to a phallic shaped stalagmite formation however the surprise is the nonstop beauty of the cave.

This huge cavern has walking track and steps throughout. There are over 150 steps but don’t let this put you off as they are not steep at all and we were not rushed.  The natural stones have different shapes inside the cave and the tour guide points them out as you go. Some of the most interesting ones for me were; the dragon on the ceiling, the turtle, heart shaped rock and several Buddhas

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Being as we arrived early, there was no line of people waiting,  nor difficulty getting around, however I have heard it can get very crowded. There is colourful lighting throughout the cave which does take away from the natural beauty giving it a “Hollywood” look however lights are necessary to see where you are going and to see the formations.

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You really do need a local guide to give you the cultural and historical information to give more depth to the cave rather than it being purely a spectacle.

Magnificent views from the top
Magnificent views from the top
Magnificent views from the top
Magnificent views from the top
Magnificent views from the top

 

   Once at the top after visiting and walking out of the Cave,  we enjoyed the best views of Ha Long bay.  Breathtaking!!

My Beautiful Hạ Long Bay Cruise

06 Thursday Apr 2017

Posted by in Ha Long Bay Cruise, Vietnam

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I will start off by saying that Hạ Long Bay is utterly amazing!  It has picturesque waterways, out of this world scenery and, I loved it.

Hạ Long Bay, in northeast Vietnam, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and is known for its emerald waters and thousands of towering limestone islands topped by rain-forests.

Ha Long Bay
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We were picked up early from our hotel in Hanoi and we drove for 4 hours up to Hạ Long City on the bay. After we arrived at the bay we took a tender boat out to our boat “Majestic.”

The tender
To take to Majestic
Our boat
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While motoring up the centre of Hạ Long bay on our Majestic, we were served an amazing seafood lunch which consisted of 7 courses of delicious foods. We soon learned that all meals in Vietnam ended with platters of fresh seasonal fruit.  How very civilised!!  The food was outstanding. There was always so much of it and always beautifully decorated.

Meals served on board
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After lunch we “checked” in to our cabins which were a lovely surprise as they were nicer than I had expected, with comfortable beds, en-suite bathroom, air conditioner and power points to charge batteries etc. Also, there was WIFI on board.

Our cabin
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After this we took our tender boat to Ti Top Island to spend a couple of very pleasant hours. Ti Top Island is regarded as one of the most attractive sites for tourists to Hạ Long Bay.  It is especially famous for its clean water and smooth white sand beach and magnificent views from the top.

Ti Top Island
Ti Top Island
Ti Top Beach
Ti Top Beach
Ti Top Beach

 

The bay itself was breathtaking and even though there were many boats around we didn’t feel they were intrusive. It is the most boats I have ever experienced in one area.

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On the way back to our boat, several of our group chose to go kayaking in the bay so we dropped them off at the kayaks.  When we arrived back to our boat, it was late afternoon, where we spent time up on the top deck enjoying fresh fruits and cocktails. As evening set in; the boats in the bay turned on their lights and music, turning the bay into a magical fairy-land.

Top Deck
Ha Long Bay at night
Ha Long Bay at night
Ha Long Bay at night
Ha Long Bay at night

After, our evening interlude on top deck we enjoyed another amazing meal. We were very impressed with the selection of international wines that were available on board considering this was a small boat with only 10 cabins.

There were plenty of activities on board including a cooking class in the dining room.

We started our next morning early up on the top deck doing half an hour of Tai Chi.  We did not know what we were doing but followed the lead as well as we could and loved it – what a fabulous way to start a beautiful day in an exquisite place.

Directly after breakfast, while it was still early, we took our tender boat to Sung Sot Cave. There were many steps up to the cave and then there was the magnificent view of Hạ Long Bay. This deserves its own story.

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View From Sung Sot Cave

Then as we cruised back to Hạ Long city we enjoyed another fantastic lunch on board our home of 2 days.

Our tour guide, Mr Mau was so helpful, gentle and enthusiastic in his job. We really appreciated him as he helped us to have an unforgettable time

Hạ Long Bay was my high-light of Hanoi and one of my high-lights of Vietnam.

 

Beautiful Place – Hiding on a Mountain Top

30 Thursday Mar 2017

Posted by in Marble mountain, Vietnam

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Marble Mountain

Marble Mountain in Da Nang is a cluster of five craggy marble outcrops made from limestone and marble and topped with pagodas. Marble Mountain is named after the elements metal, wood, water, fire and earth. There are also a host of Buddhist sanctuaries and places of worship dotted across these mountains

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Overlooking China beach
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It is just off the China Beach coastal road and easy to get to from Da Nang or Hội An where we were staying

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We went there as part of our private tour with our tour guide Andy who gave us lots of good information regarding the mountain and its sights and views. There is a $1 entrance fee to Marble Mountain and an additional $1 cost for entrance to the cave at the foot of the mountains which were included in our entire tour cost.  We took the elevator up from the road, but it doesn’t take you to the top as you might expect so there was still more walking to get to the top from the elevator.

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We were amazed and pleased to spend a couple of hours in a place that we thought was a mere tourist destination. These five marble outcrops rising strangely from the flat landscape have long attracted different religions like Buddhism which is apparent in the many beautiful Buddha statues and pagodas along the way.

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It’s quite fantastic. And challenging to climb the steep steps carved out of the rocks, and negotiate our way through some rather scary caves.

 

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Some of these climbs are quite risky, and there were a couple that I decided not to tackle. But that was fine as I found beautiful areas to sit, take in the views, admire the magnificent statues and sculptures and take photos of the lovely gardens.

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The stairs down from the mountain back to the road below were very extreme. I really struggled with their steepness and uneven surface. I took my time, concentrated and held on to anything I could while maneuvering my way down so I made it safely. But, just be careful. It was very scary.

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It is good to start early when it is not so hot  If you have the time, I suggest allowing a few hours exploring all of Marble Mountain. Also, I recommend wearing good shoes as parts of the climb are tricky and poor footwear could result in injury. Don’t make our mistake of under-estimating the physical difficulty

We found it useful to have a guide who was able to tell us more about the history and help us through some tricky parts.

Our visit to Marble Mountain was a high-light of our trip to Da Nang.   The caves are magnificent and the views are breathtaking!

Charming and Elegant Hoi An

21 Saturday Jan 2017

Posted by in Hoi An, Vietnam

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It was only short flight from Hanoi to Da Nang airport where the coach was waiting for us to take us to our hotel in Hoi An. Hoi An is on the coast in central Vietnam just a short drive south of Da Nang.

After spending a few days in Hanoi, Hoi An was a breath of fresh air. The sky was blue and the fields bright green. Of course, this is to be expected as we went from a major very busy capital city to a small Asian town.

Hoi An which is a UNESCO World Heritage listed site retains much of its original charm and character with a French flair. It did not take us long to settle in to the atmosphere of this lovely town.

The locals are so polite, gentle and very helpful. Our hotel is in town and very close to most things including the Old Town, the city’s historic district.

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Apart from visiting Da Nang, Marble mountain, the large Lady Buddha, the Old Town, the night markets we also were able to fit in a few massages and manicures.

I could easily return to Hoi An to stay for a week or 2. Each day would include the delicious fresh local food, a daily massage, perhaps a small tour, a cocktail or 2 overlooking the river each evening  and dinner each night at a different restaurant in the Old Town.  Good living and good health.