VIETNAM: Featuring Da Nang and Side trip to Hoi An
March 10, 2019
Da Nang, the fourth largest city in Vietnam, marks the halfway point between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh. Apart from visit some sightseeing spots, Da Nang is also the home of beautiful beaches such as My Khe Beach, Lang Co Beach, My Son and Hoi An.
Everything is accessible by car, taxi, motorbike and bicycle. All you need to have is the courage to drive in the busy streets of Vietnam.
Here are the places I went when I was in Da Nang:
Located on the peak of Son Tra mountain with a very beautiful overlooking view of the beaches and the city, you can see the what they called Lady Buddha. It measures about 67 meters and said to be the tallest Buddha statue in Vietnam.
When the legend began, people built a place of worship here and from that, everything went stable and fishermen received abundant blessings and worked in peace during a long time.
The Linh Ung Statue is also surrounded with its main shrine. It was built with contemporary design combined with inherent tradition of pagodas in Vietnam with curved roof in dragon shape and solid pillars surrounded by revolutionary sinuous dragons.
Marble Mountain
Also called as Ngũ Hành Sơn, is a cluster of five marble and limestone hills. The five mountains are named after the 5 elements: Kim (metal), Thuy (water), Moc (wood), Hoa (fire) and Tho (earth). It is considered as a well-known attraction among the locals and tourists. It is known to be a pilgrimage site and spiritual land of Quang Nam.
All the mountains have cave entrances and tunnels making the tourist spots accessible to one another. The Marble mountain also is a home of several Buddhist and Hindu grottos.
A stairway of more than 150 steps will lead you to the summit of the Thuy Son. The only Marble mountain that is accessible to visitors. While on the summit, you'll see the panoramic view of the surrounding area and also the other marble mountains.
**When I went to the summit, I followed some group of foreigners trying to pass through a narrow opening. Whenever you see this, just be careful as some limestones can be sharp and may hurt you. Going down, I used the stairway but it may slippery too.
Museum of Cham Sculpture
This museum has a lot of masterpiece from the existence of Champa period. Champa came from the Sanskrit word Kampala, which means a large evergreen tree. This museum collected all the deposits from 192AD-1697, where Vietnam's indigenous people lived an Indian way of both life and culture.
The museum displays almost 300 stone works of art ranging from the 7th to 15th centuries. Most of the displays are considered masterpieces of their own field according to the region where they were found.
All of the sculptures on display fall into the following sections: Icon, pedestal, pediment or fragments with the area where they were found.
Dragon Bridge
This modern bridge crosses the Han River with 666 meters long, 37.5 meters wide and has six lanes for traffic. It was opened to traffic on March 29, 2013 during the 38th anniversary of the liberation of Da Nang City.
The bridge offers a dazzling display of colourful lights at night and spits water and breathe fire every Saturday and Sunday at 9 in the evening.
**I came near this bridge to have a nice view of how the dragon breathes fire but the weather didn't cooperate, sad to say, it rained so hard and they postponed the show. I came back to my hotel soaked under the rain but t'was a great and awesome experience though. Thanks to some people who offered their umbrellas to me.
SIDE TRIP TO THE ANCIENT CITY OF HOI AN
WHAT ABOUT HOI AN?
During the 16th and 17th centuries, Hoi An was the international trading centre in the Southern Vietnam. Foreign trader ships came to Hoi An in great numbers for annual commercial fairs. Right in this town, Japanese, Chinese and Indian traders set up their establishments for permanent habitation.
Today, Hoi An is named as the Ancient City where some of the shrines, temples, pagodas, markets and even houses are still intact and well preserved.
You may go inside some temples, shrines or heritage houses when you purchase this ticket from the Hoi An information office located just across the Japanese Covered Bridge. Ticket is worth 120,000VND and is only valid for 24 hours upon purchase. You can already visit 5 places.
The Japanese covered bridge. Built in the former Japanese quarter, Chua Can--the early 17th century. The unique and beloved symbol of Hoi An people. Also serves as the entrance for the cultural houses and temples.
Trung Hoa Assembly hall, is also one the oldest assembly hall in Hoi An. It is not only to be home of Chinese migrants in the old time but also a worshiping place to dedicate to Thien Hau Holy Mother.
Mot Hoi An (Traditional herbal drink) --Don't forget to try this famous herbal tea in Hoi An. It has a little sweet taste of lemon and lemon grass with some special herbs. There are a lot of people selling this kind of drink in the streets of the ancient town. One of the famous seller is Mot. Many people were ordering their drinks when I passed by. I patiently waited for my drink to be served and it made me crave for some more. It was so refreshing and healthy at the same time. 1 cup of this tea is only 10,000 VND.
The instagrammable streets of the ancient city of Hoi An.
You will also witness the reenactment of the wedding procession of Princess Nuoc Hot and Japanese trader Araki Sotaro from the Japanese bridge area going to the streets of Hoi An.
Phuc Kien Fujian Assembly Hall, the largest and most famous of the assembly halls in Hoi An. Phuc Kien was built in order for the people of Fujian in China to meet up and socialise whenever they go to Hoi An.
Strolling around Hoi An, you'll see a lot of locals selling some of their delicacies. Some are offering tours and some are offering to take pictures of you.
Hoi An has become somewhat of a foodie destination. But you'll also see various of houses made as a cafe, restaurant or even a souvenir shop. Hoi An is also well-known for their silk products and tailor-made clothes. If you’re looking to have a dress or suit made, Ancient Town is the place to go.
From the16th to the 18th centuries, Hoi An attracted international traders because of its location on the banks of Thu Bon River, conveniently flowing into the East China Sea. The merchants chose to stop here to wait for the right wind directions for their next destinations.
The whole town is reintroducing the use of gorgeous and colourful hand-crafted lanterns. And when you are lucky to go there during their festivals and special occasions, you'll see hundreds to thousands of these lanterns on the verandas and windows of the houses being hanged as what they did 300 years ago. It is also a famous souvenir among the foreigners.
Aside from the lanterns, you'll see a lot of vendors selling different stuffs. From handicrafts, souvenir items, foods and many more. Don't forget to try some exotic foods while you're here!
The lantern festival has become famous enough that even you visit isn't on the full moon date, you can still participate in the Hoi An's traditional full moon festival. Lanterns are being lighted right at dawn. Candles are placed in or at the bottom of the lanterns and letting it float on the river. They said one can make a wish while setting the lantern on the water. Unfortunately, mine sunken fast.
4 comment
If you are traveling to well known destinations, you will most likely be able to get some great deals from hotels and resorts by visiting their websites best travel deals
ReplyDeleteHiring a car for long terms, one can save money, time as well as effort without wandering with confusion in the island rental rates in Santorini island
ReplyDeleteAn India tourist visa holder will be surprised to find that availability is updated each minute. visum fur indien
ReplyDeleteSo you are travelling to Budapest and you are looking for accommodation. Take care of some simple points to enjoy your stay there as much as possible. Budapest short term rentals
ReplyDelete