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Hội An

Half way down Vietnam's long coast line, just south of Da Nang, is the old town of Hội An. This was a thriving commercial centre and port from the 15th century, and the wealth shows in the heritage of fine wooden buildings that line the main streets. The quality of these is such that in 1999 the town was recognised as an UNESCO world heritage centre. The whole modern city now has a population of some 90,000. Be warned that the modern city does show itself in the old town from the fact that the traditional artisan housing and commercial buildings are entirely given over to tourism.

May 2016

Hội An sits on the River Vu Gia
Hội An sits on the River Vu Gia
Hội An sits on the River Vu Gia Like nearly all towns in Vietnam Hội An sits on a river. It is only a couple of kilometres from the sea and so its prosperity grew on being able to offer a sheltered port. The 17th century Japanese bridge
The 17th century Japanese bridge
The 17th century Japanese bridge Notice the eyes painted on the boats
Notice the eyes painted on the boats
Notice the eyes painted on the boats Much of the populated region of Vietnam is low lying and recieves some one and a half to two metres of rain a year, often in sharp bursts, so coping with water and moving on water are vital parts of life. Eyes even on the modern workers boats...
Eyes even on the modern workers boats...
Eyes even on the modern workers boats... ...although not on the coracles!
...although not on the coracles!
...although not on the coracles! ...which move at an amazing speed
...which move at an amazing speed
...which move at an amazing speed < Ochre walls and pan tiles are key motifs
Ochre walls and pan tiles are key motifs
Ochre walls and pan tiles are key motifs Essentially there are just three parallel streets in the old town. These are kept in excellent condition as befits its world heritage status, and visitors easily walk between them and down to the nearby river as they please. The larger businesses have two floors
The larger businesses have two floors
The larger businesses have two floors And plants such as bougainvillia aboud
And plants such as bougainvillia aboud
And plants such as bougainvillia aboud Not all premises are for business - a pagoda
Not all premises are for business - a pagoda
Not all premises are for business - a pagoda Most typically a row of pan tiled houses
Most typically a row of pan tiled houses
Most typically a row of pan tiled houses These are, again typically, very simple
These are, again typically, very simple
These are, again typically, very simple Cycle rickshaws offer suitably sedate transport
Cycle rickshaws offer suitably sedate transport
Cycle rickshaws offer suitably sedate transport The short tropical dusk enlivens the town
The short tropical dusk enlivens the town
The short tropical dusk enlivens the town Ten minutes and it is dark
Ten minutes and it is dark
Ten minutes and it is dark Night time by the river
Night time by the river
Night time by the river And the shops take on a new interest
And the shops take on a new interest
And the shops take on a new interest Some visitors may find that this very popular centre for tourism does suffer a little from its success. There is none of the fascinating activity along the streets that there is in most Vietnamese towns, not least in Hà Nội itself, for here nearly every one makes their money from tourism and the sense of visiting a museum can be palpable. While the cafes draw in visitors While the cafes draw in visitors While the cafes draw in visitors