SEA2019: Halong Bay

SEA2019: Last day in Da Nang

After the trips to My Son and Hoi An yesterday, there are still a few places we cannot miss in Da Nang. First, the Lady Buddha temple, high above the ridge of the North coastline. Another sight are the complex of temples at the Marble Mountains, South of the city. And of course, a visit to the beach. Also, arranging our trip to Hue for tomorrow, this time by road, visiting a few places on the way. Finally, dinner at the night market (including some typical snails!).

SEA2019: Hoi An

Hoi An used to be an important trading post, of the magnitude of Malaca or Macau. Chinese and Japanese traders would sail south in sprint following the trade winds, arriving in Hoi An. They would settle there for the summer and wait for the reverse trade winds to sail Northwards on the Autumn.



With time, their warehouses and temporary housing became more and more permanent, till a large community of Chinese and Japanese traders settled for life. At some point the estuary silted and the communication with the sea became too difficult for trading vessels, at which point trade moved to Da Nang.

Old Hoi An still preserves the influence of those communities, from the Japanese bridge to various Assembly Halls for each trading community and temples of their religions.

SEA2109: My Son

My Son (pronounced /mee sohn/) is one of the main religious sites of the Champa Kingdom. The Champas lived in a narrow region between the coast and the mountains, living off the land, trade and piracy. They also interacted, sometimes not so amicably with their neighbours, the Vietnamese to the North, and the Khmer to the West.

Their culture had strong cultural and commercial links and influences with the Javanese (I'm not sure about the version I've been told about they were supposed to be Javanese coming to settle in Vietnam). One of their kings married a Javanese princess, and their religion had many similarities.

SEA2019: Arrival to Da Nang

After a comfortable journey on the night train, we arrive to Da Nang, the third city in Vietnam, which, although often ignored by many travelers, will be our base camp for the coming few days.

The most important visit within the city is the Champa Sculpture Museum, which holds probably the best collection of art from this kingdom that occupied central Vietnam from 4th to the 13th centuries.






Sightseeing after the museum takes us to he Catholic Cathedral and the Dragon Bridge, and along the seafront. Another important item in our mind for this afternoon involves in finding a tour operator to arrange several trips we want to do in the coming days (My Son, Hoi An, Marble Mountain...).


Once that is achieved, it's time to cross again the Dragon Bridge and head for a local eatery for a seafood dinner.