hoian – Snapping The Globe

Last Hurrah in Hoi An

So much to do, so little time.

After arriving back in Hoi An and my harrowing motorbike ride from My Son, I needed a little refreshing. A quick dip in the beautiful infinity edge pool at the Ha An Hotel dip the trick!

Not quite sure what I wanted to do for the rest of the day, I grabbed a bike from the hotel and started to head back into town. As I approached the market, instead of heading straight, I quickly made a left and crossed the bridge to Cam Nam Island. Having no plan, I rode around the small island, enjoying the views of the river and the warm, sunny day. There are many hotels and homestays on the island and if you want to get away from the main drag, this is a peaceful alternative.

Back on the main street of Hoi An, I rode along the waterfront and finally parked my bicycle near the Japanese Bridge. Purchasing another ticket for Old Town, I decided to visit some of the other attractions that I had not seen on my first day.

Walking back and forth on Nguyen Tan Hoc Street, it took me a few minutes to locate the Old House of Tan Ky as it blends into the architecture of the adjacent shops and restaurants.

Constructed almost two centuries ago as the home of a Vietnamese merchant, the home sits between Nguyen Tan Hoc and Bach Dang Streets and combines three different types of architecture, Chinese (curved roof beams), Japanese (peaked roof) and Vietnamese (crosshatch).

The interior has been preserved with the original design and furniture and contains many relics of the prospering trade and cultural exchanges between the Vietnamese, Chinese and Japanese during the late 17th century. The four rooms in the Old House of Tan Ky are rather small and were designed for different purposes; welcoming the merchants, living, courtyard and sleeping. All rooms can be visited except the bedroom.

After leaving Tan Ky, I noticed a restaurant with a familiar name across the street, Morning Glory. How convenient! This was one of the restaurants that was recommended to me by a friend and one that I had planned on dining at while in Hoi An. Speaking with the hostess, I made reservations for that evening.

Moving on, I made my way up Chau Thuong Van Street to one of the most historical buildings in Hoi An, Hoi Quan Quang Dong, the Cantonese Assembly Hall.

Greeted by its colorful stone, three-entrance gate and four rows of stone pillars, four Chinese characters, meaning “Quant Trieu Assembly Hall” are embossed on the upper part of the gate. The gate is decorated with images of dragons, small lions and lemon flowers.

Built in 1885 by the Chinese, it was originally dedicated to Thien Hau Holy Mother, then to Quan Cong (Chinese general) and then to the sages who came from Guangdong. Used by Chinese fishermen and traders as a place to rest temporarily and exchange goods, the building was constructed by Chinese Cantonese merchants with parts of the building made separately in China and transported to Vietnam.

The Assembly Hall, very popular with tourists, displays an amazing dragon fountain made from pottery and many Cantonese statues throughout the complex. Well kept, but small, the walls are adorned with colorful paintings of sages and deities. Walking through the complex, make sure to not miss the rear portion, where a larger dragon fountain, garden and mural of Chinese mythology are located.

My next stop was another old structure, built in 1850. The Duc An House was a successful bookshop famous for selling Vietnamese and Chinese texts and works of foreign political thinkers like Rousseau and Voltaire. The house then became a Chinese medicine dispensary in the twentieth century. Later still, it became the center of anti-French activity. One of the previous residents, Cao Hong Hanh was decorated by the Communist government and there are many images displayed from his revolutionary past and visits from Communist Party dignitaries.

Though small, Duc An House, still retains its historic feel with its many antiques. An additional bonus is that the owner, Phan Ngoc Tram, a direct descendant of the founding family, does not allow souvenirs to be sold within the structure, a common practice in some of the other historical houses in Hoi An.

Relinquishing another of my Old Town tickets to cross the Japanese bridge, since I did not feel like walking the long way around, I made my way to the other side to the Phung Hung Old House.

Greeted in the front room by one of the guides, I was escorted to the next room where I was seated in the two story room and given a history of the building. Built over 100 years ago, during Hoi An’s prosperous times, the dark structure is one of the most beautiful forms of architecture in Hoi An. Named by the first owner, a Vietnamese businessman, a seller of cinnamon, pepper, salt, silk, ceramics and glass, it stands for the saying “Business expectation is always thriving”.

The house combines three architecture styles, Vietnamese (grillage systems, crossbeams, spars, facade roof and backside), Chinese (balcony and door system) and Japanese (nave roof). It has a high wooden attic and wide corridors.

At the rear of the bottom floor, the guide showed me many samples of embroidery produced here. You can purchase brightly colored tablecloths and napkins before ascending the stairs to the top floor. The upper floor contains many antiques and relics. Take a moment to step out onto the balcony for a unique view of Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street and the adjacent Japanese Bridge.

As my day was drawing to a close, I made my way back to the Ha An Hotel. After preparing for dinner, I then retraced my steps to Old Town, sitting for a while at one of the many establishments facing the river to enjoy a cold Larue beer and the passing scenery.

Arriving at Morning Glory for my reservation, I was seated quickly. The restaurant was filled with patrons, the staff quite busy running from table to table and the chefs at work in the open kitchen in the middle of the restaurant.

The menu was mind boggling as everything sounded quite delicious and the smells coming from all around me were divine. Asking for advice from my server, I finally decided on Roll-It Barbecued Pork with Rice Paper as an appetizer and the My Quang Noodles with Seafood. The food was fabulous and not very expensive..about ten dollars, including my drink.

Making my way onto the lantern-lit street, I took a look around me at the beauty of Hoi An. Never did I expect to love a place so much as this. It encompassed everything that I find fascinating; architecture, history, culture, the beach, photographic opportunities. Why had I never heard of this magnificent place before? Now I had the secret. I would be departing in the morning for Hue, another historical city, but leaving my heart here.

Hoi An…I will be back.

For more pictures, check out Facebook, Snapping the Globe and Instagram, @snappingtheglobe.

Old House of Tan Ky

http://hoian-tourism.com/what-to-see/ancient-houses/tan-ki-ancient-house-2
Address: 101 Nguyễn Thái Học, Minh An, tp. Hội An, Quảng Nam, Vietnam
Hours: 0830-1700
Admission: included with the Old Town ticket

Hoi Quan Quang Dong (Cantonese Assembly Hall)

http://hoian-tourism.com/what-to-see/assembly-halls/cantonese-assembly-hall
Address: 176 Trần Phú, Minh An, tp. Hội An, Quảng Nam, Vietnam
Hours: 0830-1700
Admission: included with the Old Town ticket

Duc An House

http://www.asiatravelroutes.com/en/vietnam/attractions/hoi-an/duc-an-old-house.html
Address: 129 Trần Phú, Minh An, tp. Hội An, Quảng Nam, Vietnam
Hours: 0830-1700
Admission: included with the Old Town ticket

Phung Hung House

Address: 4 Nguyễn Thị Minh Khai, Cẩm Phô, tp. Hội An, Quảng Nam, Vietnam
Hours: 0830-1700
Admission: included with the Old Town ticket

Morning Glory

http://msvy-tastevietnam.com/morning-glory/
106 Nguyễn Thái Học, Minh An, Hoi An, Quảng Nam, Vietnam
Hours: 0800-2200

My Son…My Way

Last year, Angkor Wat. This year, My Son.

Always having been a dream of mine to visit Angkor Wat, the largest religious monument in the world, I was finally afforded the opportunity last year. Having seen the “City of Temples” constructed during the 12th century, I thought that it was one of the oldest in that part of Asia.

While cruising the waters of the Thu Bon river with Mr. Seo, he asked me if I had planned to visit the ruins of My Son. Did I misunderstand him…there were ruins near Hoi An?

Seo, offered a plan. He could take me to My Son the next day on the back of his motorbike…about an hour’s ride outside of Hoi An towards the mountainous region. After quoting a price, he waited for an answer. Although I was really interested in these ruins, I knew nothing about them nor did I know what the going rate was. And…on a motorbike? With a guy I hardly knew? I needed to think on this one. I would text him later.

As I lounged at the beach that afternoon, I surfed the internet for information about My Son. A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1999, the ruins are located about 45 kilometers from Hoi An and were built between the 4th and 14th centuries, making them older than Angkor Wat. I found tours ranging from $16-$40 per person and group sizes ranging from five persons to busloads. Seo had quoted a price of $35 and we would leave extremely early to avoid the crowds and traffic which would allow me the rest of the day to spend exploring the parts of Hoi An that I had not yet seen. Not sure if I was making the right decision, I texted Seo and negotiated a lower price. We agreed on the terms and I planned for my early departure the next day.

Seo arrived right on time at 7:15 a.m. and we were on our way, me sitting behind him. It was a long, sometimes scary and sometimes thrilling ride and I was starting to feeling the effects on my lower back when I saw the first signs for My Son. Seo parked his motorbike and we crossed the tall bridge to the ticket counter. After paying my entrance fee, we boarded the tram for the winding trip around the mountain to My Son’s grounds.

Extremely hot, even for nine in the morning, I made my way, sweating profusely, toward the main buildings in the middle of the site. My first impression was that of peacefulness. There were hardly any tourists on the grounds and I had the crumbling buildings all to myself. The temples had beautifully intricate details that were lost to the eye at first glance, however, came to life the more they were studied. The area was green and fertile and provided a beautiful backdrop for the structures. Needless to say, my camera was put to very good use.

Surrounded by high mountains and situated in the heart of a beautiful valley, these buildings were originally built from wood but were destroyed by fire in the 6th century. During the 7th century, they were rebuilt with bricks and by the 13th century, more than 70 similar buildings had been built. A sanctuary of Hinduism, the buildings of the complex were used to worship and make offerings to the Hindu gods.

Many of the buildings’ entrances were open to enter and some displayed statues and other artwork. There are four separate areas that were open to visitors and all were connected by paved pathways.

After finishing my walk through all areas of the complex and noticing that more tourists were present, I made my way to the Arts Pavilion where Aspara dancers were performing. Beautifully choreographed, it was a nice end to my visit at My Son.

Rejoining Seo, he and I made our way toward the tram, marveling at the number of tourists arriving and traveling down the wooded path. After the long ride on the back of Seo’s motorbike, I wondered if I had made the right decision. Had I paid too much? Maybe I did for a motorbike tour, but watching the busloads of tourists arriving, made me remember how much I dislike tour groups. The fact that we were able to set our own schedule and arrive earlier than everyone else was worth the price. I had been able to capture beautifully, unobstructed pictures of the site and well before the hottest temperatures of the day.

As the wind blew around me on our return trip, I was happy that I had done My Son…my way.

For more pictures, check out Facebook, Snapping the Globe and Instagram, @snappingtheglobe.

My Son

Admission: 150,000 Vietnamese dong (about US $7.00)
Hours: 0600-1700
Motorbike parking: 10,000 Vietnamese dong (about US $.45)

Breakfast, Boats, Bikes and Beaches

Ahhhh! The Ha An hotel…what can I say? Beside all of the other fabulous things about it, I discovered that it had an unbelievable breakfast!

Waking up early and a bit hungry, I crossed the courtyard to the hotel restaurant. Not sure what I would find, I at least hoped the selection was a little bit better than the Tu Linh Hotel in Hanoi. The hotel’s adorable little restaurant, where breakfast was served, was cool and welcoming and I chose a nice table in the corner. I walked to the back room, just hoping to have some eggs made, but I was mesmerized with how much food was available as well as how much of a selection! Baguettes, and about 10 other types of breads, potatoes, bacon, porridge, salads, luncheon meats and cheeses, Vietnamese specialties, crepes, omelets, desserts and more! The best part was that they blended frothy fruity drinks for you as well. After stuffing myself silly, I wasn’t sure that I could walk, but I forced myself since I had finally come up with a plan for the day.

While walking home the day before, I had met a boat captain, Mr. Seo, near the river, eager to practice his English and eager to drum up business. He had offered to take me along the Tru Bon River and around Cham island, passing near a fishing village and stopping at a boat carpenter’s village. Not promising to take him up on his offer, I decided to think about it overnight. After breakfast, I made the decision that a boat ride might provide me with some alternate photographic opportunities.

Walking through the market, I began scanning the line of boats parked along the promenade near where I had met him the day before. I didn’t have to search for long as Seo called out my name and jumped off his boat to greet me.

Making sure our deal was the same, I joined him on his boat and we pulled out and motored up the river. The day was clear and the sun not yet high enough to be so hot and low enough for interesting pictures.

Seo was very friendly and although we didn’t always understand each other completely at times, we managed to keep the conversation going. He was interested in how many photos I was taking as well as what was happening on the political scene in the United States. The scenery was stunning and he slowed at times and pulled close to fishermen so that I could get some nice shots.

We passed near the fishing village of Lang Chai Can Thanh where massive fishing nets were suspended from poles over the water. The nets are stored this way during parts of the day to keep them untangled and allow boats to pass by safely. During the night or when conditions are optimal, the nets can be lowered.

As we continued, I could see many boats on the riverbanks, some being repaired and some being built. Our boat’s speed soon slowed and we turned toward the shore. After securing the boat to the dock on Cam Kim island, we climbed ashore and walked through the village. There were a large number of boats in various states of progress. What caught my attention was the large eyes that were painted on each side of the front of the boats. Seo explained that there are a couple of reasons for doing so. Many fishermen see their boats as fish, so the eyes are painted to help them see danger ahead. Others think that painting the eyes of a sea serpent on the prow prevent it from being harmed by other sea monsters.

Returning to the boat, we continued onward and eventually made our way back to the harbor in Hoi An. As we approached, I marveled at the beauty of the town with its palm trees, brightly colored buildings and large number of brilliantly painted boats lining the waterfront. Thanking Seo and leaving him to find another patron, I made my way back to my hotel on Phan Bội Châu to enjoy a quick lunch and gather my belongings.

Once I was ready, the bellman pulled out a bike for me, made sure it was in working order and set the seat to accommodate my shorter frame. Placing my beach towel and belongings in the basket on the handlebars, I took a deep breath. Checking the map that I received from the front desk, I turned out of the hotel’s gate onto the main road. A little apprehensive, I peddled slowly, checking the upcoming street signs. Turning into traffic, I made my way in the direction of the beach. Many cars and motorcycles passed me by, but I continued onward soon leaving the buildings of the city and driving onto a long road lined with trees, rice paddies and grazing water buffalo. Crossing a bridge, I stopped for a moment to look down at the river with stately homes lining the coast and some smaller fishing shacks lying on the sand spits. I peddled further and soon noticed many restaurants lining the road and places advertising bicycle parking, realizing that I had arrived at An Bang Beach.

Paying to park my bicycle, I walked past the guardhouse to the steps leading down to the beach. Making my way tread by tread, I gazed out over the greenish water, white sand and the umbrellas lining the area beneath the small cliffs on both my right and left. Paying one of the attendants 50,000 Vietnamese dong for the use of one of their loungers, I made myself comfortable, realizing that this was the first time in many days where I was actually going to relax for a period of time that did not entail sleep. Well, maybe a small nap…

Spending the greater part of the afternoon at An Bang Beach, I waded into the clear green waters, read and had a nice ham and cheese baguettes from one of the many restaurants that lined the beach. The peace and tranquility were just what I needed that day.

Gathering up my belongings, I walked along the beachfront, my toes leaving prints behind me and admiring the small round woven bamboo baskets boats that filled the beach. Finally, with the sun getting lower in the sky, it was time to go. I retrieved my bicycle and made my way back the way I had come, past the restaurants, over the bridge and back to the long field lined road.

With daylight waning, I stopped to admire two fishermen in a small pond, gathering their catch and then further along, noticed an odd sight. On the headland between two fields, a farmer was reclining on the back of one of his water buffaloes. Such a strikingly beautiful picture, I quickly jumped off my bike and braved the oncoming traffic to get to the other side of the road. Fastening my telephoto lens, I snapped as many pictures as I could before he jumped off to attend to other duties.

Arriving at my hotel, I realized that for the first time since I had landed in Vietnam, I felt relaxed and rejuvenated. Such a beautiful place, Hoi An offers a vast amount of history and the ability to enjoy the natural environment. Sitting on the waterfront, enjoying a lovely dinner and a LaRue beer, I relived the day’s events…I made a new friend, traversed the waters of the Tru Bon River, marveled at the boat making and fishing skills of the local people, made my way through the countryside and sunk my toes into the sands and waters of the East Vietnam Sea. What more could you ask for?

Check out Facebook, Snapping the Globe and Instagram, @snappingtheglobe for more pictures.

Mr. Seo Tours

Boat Number: QNa 0572
Mobile: 01288 550 448
Bach Dang Street, Hoi An, Quong Nam, Vietnam

An Bang Beach

https://www.google.com/maps/place/An+Bang+Beach/@15.9137909,108.340795,15z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0xed0d9e973a32b1ef!8m2!3d15.9137909!4d108.340795
Address: Hai Bà Trưng, Cẩm An, tp. Hội An, Quảng Nam, Vietnam
Getting There: Taxi is a good alternative if you plan to stay after dark and enjoy dinner. By day, take a bicycle or motorbike and enjoy the scenery!

Hello Hoi An!

Ever been in a taxi and wondering if your taxi driver actually knows where he is taking you? Many people can say, “Yes, of course!”

It was quite early when I said goodbye to the Tu Linh Hotel and headed back to Noi Bai International Airport. I was excited to start the next chapter of my Vietnam travels and my destination was Hoi An.

Turning out of the Old Quarter, I rested my head on my seat and watched the heavy morning traffic outside my window. Suddenly, the taxi driver turned to me and asked a question in Vietnamese. He lifted a paper and pointed to the words Noi Bai International Airport. Guessing that he was asking me if that was where we were going, I was a little perplexed as I knew the hotel had given him instructions to take me to the airport. After a few more exchanges, I realized that he was asking me if I was traveling international or domestic and I stated Da Nang. Realizing that he still was confused, it dawned on me that maybe there were two airports. Oh no! What if he takes me to the wrong one?

A call to the Tu Linh Hotel finally straightened things out. He only wanted to make sure that I was going to the domestic terminal and soon deposited me there safely.

Soaring through the skies on Jetstar Airways, I arrived a short time later into Da Nang International Airport. Thankfully, my driver was waiting for me this time…front and center…and after a rather uneventful drive, we were arriving in Hoi An.

“The cutest hotel I have ever stayed at in the entire world”. This was how my friend had described the Ha An Hotel. Coming from a flight attendant, that is the highest of praise and I knew that there was no other place to stay! Well, he was right! Truly one of the most charming places I have ever seen, I was elated that I had taken his advice. I was ushered to the restaurant where I was served fresh fruit and a frosty drink. The receptionist, sat with me, going over the hotel’s amenities and then informed me that my room was ready.

Walking into my room, I was flabbergasted! I had been upgraded to one of the rooms opening onto the lush courtyard. My room was spacious and extremely well appointed with a large comfortable-looking bed. The bathroom had an open shower with river rock and a marble counter. Wow! Wow! Wow! The thought that ran through my head at that moment was that I was going stay here forever! Oh, well…at least for another couple of nights!

Opening my plantation doors, I peered out into the courtyard. There was a pool table just outside my door and an infinity edge swimming pool in the far corner. The area was beautifully landscaped and the entire hotel complex’s appearance had the feel of an old Caribbean plantation.

As much as I wanted to languish in this exquisiteness, I was anxious to explore the town. Following my map, I headed out of my hotel’s gates and headed toward the Old Town.

Hoi An’s Old Town was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999 and is a well-preserved example of a South-East Asian trading port as would have been experienced during the 15th to 19th centuries. There are 1,107 original timber frame buildings and the center of town is restricted to pedestrians, motorcycles and bicycles.

An entrance ticket is actually required to enter the Old Town, however, the ticket is rarely checked except when entering one of the buildings or points of interest that it is required for. It took a few minutes to locate one of the ticket booths, but I soon had a ticket in hand and was anxious to explore the many historic landmarks.

The ticket is valid for 24 hours and allows (with tear-off coupons) entrance to five attractions. Trying to decipher which of the attractions I was going to visit first, was a bit of a task and I decided to start with the closest.

Right around the corner, on Tran Phu Street, was the To Do Tham Quan Pagoda. Entering through the brick front entrance arch, I noticed the Chinese characters that represent the deity to whom the temple is dedicated on each side of the doorway. The central courtyard contained a censer and the temple displayed many Chinese offerings of fruit, cookies and incense near the gold leafed altar. There were many interesting statues and carvings (some protected by glass) and the space was lighted by many large lanterns. The best part about this interesting pagoda was that I didn’t have to use one of my Old Town tickets…it was free to visit.

Without having to check my map, I moved on to the nearby Minh Huong Communal House, with its bright yellow entrance arch, also on Tran Phu and included in the list of the historical attractions with ticket access. Minh Huong was built by Chinese settlers in the late 18th century to worship their ancestors who had founded the Minh Huong village. Deities worshiped here are Thien Hau Holy Mother, the God of Earth and the God of Fortune. Every year, seasonal worship rituals and celebrations dedicated to Minh Huong ancestors are held here in the spring and fall.

Further down the street, was the Confucian Ong Pagoda, also known as the Quan Cong Temple. Located on a street corner near the central market, the 17th century pagoda was easy to find and included in the list of historical attractions, thus requiring a ticket. Dedicated to “Quan Thanh De Quan” (Quan Cong), it was built in 1653 to honor the Chinese general, a prominent figure in the three kingdom era of China. The interior was very ornate and included two huge wooden statues near the altar which should be inspected…one is the the idol of the protector of Quan Cong and the other is the adopted son of the protector. The small front hall contains an altar dedicated to Quan Cong’s guards and is flanked by ritual weapons and objects used for processions.

Rounding the corner, on my way to the Hoi An Museum, I spotted Chua Ba and dashed inside for some pictures. Containing some some small altars and a courtyard, it was nice for a quick visit.

Moving on, I headed to the Hoi An Museum. Anxious to learn about the history of Hoi An, I was a bit dismayed to find that some information was not translated into English. The space has some interesting relics, including bells, a boat and artillery however, it did not feel very welcoming or well displayed. The museum also does not have air conditioning and it was extremely difficult to move throughout the space without searching for a fan to cool off. The admission was included in the Old Town ticket, however, it is one that I would skip on a future visit.

In search of the Japanese Covered Bridge, I came upon the Thong Bao Temple. With free admission, I decided to take a few minutes to inspect the premises. When entering, I was greeted by a large open courtyard with a multitude of statues on the right side of the property. A sign at the entrance, gives many instructions, including standing three meters away from these statues, not pointing at the statues or crossing your arms behind your back when standing in front of the statues. The main building is a large impressive structure with beautiful tile work and ornate columns. If in the area, this temple is certainly worth a look.

Back to my mission, I headed down Nhi Trung Street towards the Japanese Covered Bridge, the most famous tourist destination and the official symbol of Hoi An. There were many visitors both near and on the bridge. The structure was built in the early seventeenth century by the community of Hoi An to create a link with the Chinese quarters across the stream and is a beautiful and unique example of the Japanese architecture of the period. The bridge was constructed with a roof for protection from the sun and rain and contains three Chinese characters above the door, “Lai Ven Kieu” which means “Bridge for passengers by from Afar”. The two sculptures at one end of the bridge, dog and monkey, are sacred symbols in the Japanese cultures. After paying with my admission ticket, I only expected to use the bridge to cross to the other side. Inside, however, I found a small temple which is dedicated to the northern God, Tran Vo Bac De, the God of Weather. Later, I was informed that crossing the bridge was free, and you only had to pay with an admission ticket if intending to visit the temple, however, attendants were stationed at the entrance of the bridge and demanded a ticket upon entry.

After crossing the Japanese Covered Bridge, I continued on Nguyen Thi Minh Khai and reached the Cam Pho Communal House. It was nearing the end of the day and there were no other visitors as I entered. Greeted with a bright yellow entrance arch and tall yellow vases and an altar in the central courtyard, I found it to be very similar to the Minh Huong Communal House, including a vestibule, left hall, right hall and main hall. What I loved most were the ridge and gable ornamentation.

After leaving Cam Pho Communal House, I proceeded to walk to the end of Nguyen Thi Minh Khai and make my way toward the waterfront. Walking along the far side of the Thu Bon river, I marveled at the many sculptures, choices of restaurants and hotels and the boats being paddled by local women along the river. Crossing the Hoi An Bridge, and scanning the many restaurants here along the waterfront that were just starting to light up, I realized that my stomach was starting to rumble. Time for dinner!

After freshening up and enjoying a beer on my patio, I realized that with all of the activities I had packed into the day, I was extremely tired. Deciding to look for something close to my hotel, I happened upon the White Lotus. After a delicious meal of seafood filled won tons and shrimp and yellow noodles, I discovered that this delectable restaurant not only serves wonderful food, but it also a non-profit helping those less fortunate. Owned by Project Indochina, an Australian non government aid organization, the profits made by White Lotus are used to fund aid programs that improve of the quality of life of disadvantaged children, their families and communities in Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos.

Making my way back across the street to my hotel, I was happy (as were my feet) that I did not have to travel very far. Ready for sleep, I settled in, not sure what the next day would bring. No plans…I was ready for anything…for my second day in Hoi An.

For more pictures, check out Facebook, Snapping the Globe and Instagram, @snappingtheglobe.

Jetstar Airways

http://www.jetstar.com/us/en/home

Ha An Hotel

http://haanhotelhoian.com/

Hoi An Old Town

https://www.travelfish.org/sight_profile/vietnam/central_vietnam/quang_nam/hoi_an/729
Admission ticket: 120,000 Vietnamese dong (about US $6.00)
The full list of sights included on the ticket is:
Old houses: Tan Ky; Duc An; Quan Thang; Phung Hung;
Assembly halls: Quang Trieu; Trieu Chau; Phuc Kien;
Structures: Japanese Covered Bridge;
Museums: Museum of Trade Ceramics; Museum of Sa Huynh Culture; Museum of Folk Culture; Museum of Hoi An;
Traditional arts: Handicraft workshop; traditional music performance;
Communal houses: Cam Pho; Minh Huong; Quan Cong Temple;

To Do Tham Quan Pagoda

Address: Tran Phu, Hoi An, Vietnam
Admission: free
Open daily, all year long

Minh Huong Communal House

http://www.hoianworldheritage.org.vn/en/news/Monument/Minh-Huong-Communal-House-110.hwh
Address: 14 Tran Phu, Hoi An, Vietnam
Admission: included with Old Town ticket
Open daily, all year long, 0730-1130 and 1330-1730

Quan Cong Temple (Ong Pagoda)

http://hoian-tourism.com/what-to-see/other-relics/the-quan-cong-temple
Address: 24 Trần Phú, Minh An, tp. Hội An, Quảng Nam, Vietnam
Admission: included with the Old Town ticket
Open daily, all year long,0730-1130 and 1330-1730

Chua Ba Temple

Admission: free
Open daily, all year long

Hoi An Museum

https://hoianheritage.net/
Address: 10B Trần Hưng Đạo, Sơn Phong, tp. Hội An, Quảng Nam, Vietnam
Admission: included with the Old Town ticket
Open daily, all year long, 0730-1130 and 1330-1730

Thong Bao Temple

Address: Nhi Trung Street
Admission: free
Open daily, all year long

Japanese Covered Bridge

http://hoian-tourism.com/the-heritage/architecture/japanese-covered-bridge-the-symbol-of-hoi-an
Address: Nguyễn Thị Minh Khai, Cẩm Phô, tp. Hội An, Quảng Nam, Vietnam
Admission: included with the Old Town ticket
Open daily, all year long, 0730-1130 and 1330-1730

Cam Pho Communal House

Address: Phan Chau Trinh, Hoi An, Vietnam
Admission: included with the Old Town ticket
Open daily, all year long, 0730-1130 and 1330-1730

White Lotus Restaurant

http://www.projectindochina.com/white-lotus-restaurant
Address: 11 Phan Bội Châu, Sơn Phong, tp. Hội An, Quảng Nam, Vietnam
Open daily. 0900-2230.
Cooking classes offered.