VIETNAM: the CITY OF LANTERNS!
Just south of Da Nang, the famous seaside resort in central Vietnam, lies the pearl of Hoi An.
This riverside town features a small ancient old town that is illuminated in the evening and at night with a flashing light show, candles and lanterns even on the boats that carry tourists in love with this mystical place.
In Hoi An you will be able to find and see mansions of wealthy merchants from the 1700s/1800s, small museums housed in low, Chinese-style wooden buildings, incense-scented Buddhist temples, endless rows of stores and eateries, and an ancient covered bridge called the “Japanese Bridge,” filled with colorful tiles. Its immense charm attracts thousands of people from all over the world who want to get lost in the city's alleys, three main pedestrian streets and covered markets filled with stalls lining the river.
Hoi An, long a UNESCO World Heritage Site (it is well deserving of this distinction!), can be visited by international tourists with a combined ticket costing 120,000 VND, just over $4 per person, valid for three consecutive days and allowing you to see up to five historic mansions, temples and museums in the area of your choice from our list of more than 20 attractions.
If you are lucky (this happened to us!!) you will not find a ticket office at each attraction, so the number of things you can see will increase to 5 or more. For example, we had the opportunity to view 10 art assets, which is equivalent to 3 museums, 3 temples, and 4 historical mansions!
Some additional suggestions.
Don't forget to stop at one of the local restaurants and cafes overlooking the river to try the delicious local food, the variety of Vietnamese coffees (try the egg coffee!) or a great Vietnamese tea. With various spices and flowers. But be sure to try the lotus leaf drink, a very rare drink that I have not found anywhere else in the world! Very Buddhist and very mild!
And when the evening sky darkens, don't miss a peaceful boat ride lasting about 15 minutes with local boatmen at sunset. You can see several illuminated sights as you travel along the river to the main bridge. For a reasonable price you can see hundreds of lanterns lit on the riverbanks and buildings near the water, as well as small candles floating on the water (15,000 dong each). It is considered an auspicious prayer and request for those offering candles.
And finally, don't forget to take a photo with the colorful lanterns from one of the special market stalls in the background. And you can also buy lanterns (80,000-150,000 VND each, depending on size) to take with you as you continue your journey!
May the lights of Hoi An be with you!
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