Hoi An, the city of lanterns
In the central region of Vietnam, near Da Nang, Hoi An, the small town painted almost entirely in yellow, sits on either side of the Thu Bon River. An important commercial port in Southeast Asia between the seventeenth and nineteenth centuries, the city is today the perfect destination if you want to forget about yourself and immerse yourself in times gone by, enjoying the positive energy they transmit. Vietnamese. It is one of the few places in Vietnam untouched by war.
About 1,000 authentic houses, of which 844 are included in the UNESCO World Heritage List, many transformed into museums, cafes, tailoring workshops or leather goods, are waiting to cross their threshold. The walls with mold arabesques tell whole stories. Moisture flowers, superimposed, adorn the secular homes. Durable, although they are mostly made of wood, with deep rooms, lined with colourful ornaments, they line up the streets of Hoi An, spreading melancholy. Lampposts hanging at the entrance contrast with the yellow of the walls, sometimes vested, cleverly hiding it.
In the crowd of tourists, bicycles or scooters carrying everything you never imagined, you see women carrying on their shoulders baskets hanging on the scales at the ends of a bamboo stick. Full of fruit. A sincere smile always rises from under the conical hats. You can't resist the temptation to buy. You can't.
The Japanese bridge, the most emblematic symbol of Hoi An, is the meeting point between history and present. It is built entirely of wood, lacquered, covered with ceramic tiles. Over 400 years old, it arches over the Hoai, the stream that does not rush to flow. Rich in traditional carved details representing the architectural features of the Nguyen dynasty, to which are added Japanese accents, the bridge has undergone at least 6 restorations, and the current appearance dates back to the eighteenth century. Lots of shops in the vicinity invite visitors to choose specialities from Hoi An, from artisanal products to unparalleled culinary flavours.
The Thu Bon River, witness to many events, is one of the most beautiful waterways in Vietnam. At dusk, it is enlivened by colour, in the light of hundreds of lanterns. You can enjoy the impressive sunset scene while enjoying a coffee, as Vietnam is known for one of the best coffees in the world. Dozens of terraces arranged on the ground floor or on the first floor of the story houses, immersed in the fresh smell of coffee and in a pleasant, muted music, waiting for you to sit down, leaving your bare thoughts to get lost in the hustle and bustle of the street. If you want to catch the twinkles of dusk reflected in the water, choose a boat tour. You can make several types of trips on this river: from an hour to a half-day or a whole day.
In the 16th century, during the Nguyen Dynasty, with the arrival of Chinese immigrants, the first lanterns appeared. Over time, their manufacture, passed down from generation to generation, has managed to become an attraction for the town called "City of Lanterns", diversifying in terms of shape and material. Bamboo and canvas are the two main components. Among the fabrics, silk is probably the one that highlights the elegance of a lantern made here, while the imagination of the craftsman who sometimes spends hours to make sophisticated ornamental patterns, makes the difference. Colour plays both an aesthetic and symbolic role: red is for luck, purple-chic and yellow symbolizes joy. To make a lantern a work of great finesse, the master plays the role of a skilled painter or craftsman. A beginner can make one or two a day, while a professional can make 20. Whether they are in a cafe or a boutique, they give a special charm to the place where they are hung. Under their light, you immerse yourself in the timeless atmosphere. walking among the houses lined up on the quiet and narrow streets of Hoi An.
How to get in Hoi An from Da Nang
To encourage tourists to visit Da Nang, the government has launched a direct bus line between Da Nang and Hoi An - Bus no. 2 - for only 30,000 VND (1.3 USD). Although the bus is the cheapest travel option, you should keep in mind that it will take about an hour to get to Hoi An.
Another very good option is to take a taxi. From downtown Da Nang (or airport) will take about 30-45 minutes and will cost between 15-25 USD.
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