The town that took our breath away!

Hoi An is a one of the most beautiful cities we have ever seen...and not just in south east Asia. A small city that has a great deal of trade history, Hoi An is now recognized as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Starting as early as the 1st century, this seaside city has been one of south east Asia's most important ports. Both spices and silk trades were controlled out from Hoi An, making the area very wealthy. It stayed that way until the 18th century, when the Tey Son rebellion led to a turn of events that would see the trade industry wane drastically. Eventually trade bacame popular again, but the city of Da Nang (about and hour's bus ride north) became the new trade center.

The lack of trade and outsiders going to Hoi An after that helped the town remain almost untouched from the 18th century. Recently, there has been a boom in tourists coming to enjoy the beauty of this town.

Hand tailored clothing and shoes can be bought on every street. Colorful scarves, lanterns, blankets, even silk sleeping bags contribute to the almost overwhelming charm of this place. If traveling on a budget, it is a good idea to leave the wallet back in the hotel when you go out for a walk....temptation is everywhere you look!

There are many sites to be seen. Temples, museums, crafts, silk factories, old homes, musical performances, and, of course, the lanterns. 

Seeing the town at night was another treat. The lanterns would be lit, causing a colorful glow to fill the streets.

Pictured below is the famous Japanese Covered Bridge. It is a symbol of Hoi An. Much of the town has been influenced by both Japanese and Chinese culture.  

A bamboo frame bike....Colin was ready to pedal away on these!

These coils are actually incense burning in one of the temples we visited. The coil burns for one month!

The bronze sculpture pictured above is the first Kansas Jayhawk.

We were lucky enough to attend a small performance. There was singing, dancing, story telling, and incredible
musical talent. There was even a bingo game...and I won a smal pink lantern!

We were shown how silk is made and how to tell if what you are buying is real silk or fake. Hint: take a lighter with you. If the burnt silk smells like burnt hair, you've got the real deal. It should also make ash when burnt.

Our last day and a half was a preview into what this country looks like during rainy season. We were caught out in one of the heaviest rains I have been in. At least the weather is still warm, so being sopping wet wasn't so bad for a short while. And it made the town seem even more beautiful.

If you ever find yourself in this part of the world, visiting Hoi An for a few days is an absolute must! By far the most picturesque town we have been in so far.