Step back in Time in Vietnam’s Hoi An
Vietnam offers an intoxicating blend of incredible scenery, idyllic coastline, vibrant cities and fascinating history and culture. Add to that some great cuisine and Vietnam surely makes an ideal destination for travelers seeking something a little different, off the usual tourist’s well-trodden path.
The ancient port city of Hoi An oozes charm and history and miraculously escaped largely unscathed from the Vietnam War. Whilst very obviously carrying on its traditional life, it caters wonderfully to western visitors with smart hotels, restaurants, bars, tailor’s shops and souvenir stalls all packed into the old town center. Thanks to the local People’s Committee who clamp down from time to time on touts, a stroll down the street is relatively hassle-free. The Old Town is closed to cars, although not to motorbikes, and most hotels are within easy walking distance of the main attractions. If you want to go really native, then hire a bicycle to explore the area at a gentle pace.
Although no longer a port of any significance, the foreign influences can still be evidenced around the city. The Old Town is full of winding streets and Chinese-style shophouses. As tourism has only just begun to discover Hoi An, the area has been largely preserved and renovations are slow, carefully avoiding high-rise concrete blocks and karaoke bars.
Hoi An is easy to reach by air. The local airport at Danang has frequent connections to Hanoi, Ho Chi Min City. A local minibus will transport you to your chosen hotel for around $5, and private taxis charge a little more.
Seventeen Arch Bridge – Spanning across the horizon
Harking back to another time, the Seventeen Arch Bridge stands as a reminder of China’s long and proud history. Constructed in between 1711 and 1799, the bridge measures to be 8 metres wide and 150 metres long making it one of the most impressive sights you’ll see in the area. The bridge also forms the only connection to Nanhu Island from the mainland.
Reading about the dimensions of the bridge can never truly convey how grand this structure really is. This is a fact that visitors must learn firsthand when they catch a glimpse of the bridge for themselves. Seventeen Arch Bridge features a curved or rainbow shaped form that stretches across the river while running underneath it are the 17 symmetrical arches of its namesake.
The bridge is decorated with a staggering 544 carved lions set on marble balustrades that are passed by on your way to the other side. This number of statues has led some to state that no other bridge in China features as many stone lions as Seventeen Arch Bridge. Even more impressive is the fact that these are not merely the same figure in repetition but are actually unique figures with different expressions making your journey across an eventful one. On either end of the bridge visitors will find a large statue of a bizarre creature to greet them.