In our previous trip to the Middle region of Vietnam, we had a whole night walking through Hoi An antique city to be fascinated by a calm atmosphere of a famous place for tourist in Quang Nam province.
Roads with sign post for pedestrians and simple vehicles. Space and time seemed to be compressed within the old houses in fanciful lantern’s lights. It was so easy to recognize the system of antique houses with moss roofs and the brownish wood preserved by local people to make up a unique Hoi An. System of antique houses also has pagodas of which the bridge pagoda is the most famous. When the sun was set, Hoi An was in colorful lights form shops, attracting tourists through their walk on small roads.
Lantern is traditional cultural product of Hoi An.
Around the corner were plenty of households making their living by selling lanterns. It is their traditional business.
A couple of over 70 years old managed their business in Tran Phu Street, introducing lanterns, handbags, pillows made of silk and traditional clothing. It was close to midnight but their shop was kept open to invite more tourists who would buy a souvenir at a reasonable price. Hoi An was clothed in a colorful cloak of its own distinctive characteristics.
The street corners, the pavements were all joyful with old women vendors selling clay statue of animal designations at VND 2,000 each or VND 20,000 for a set of 12 animal designations. That was how they make their own living and maintain traditional industries.
After touring the houses and shops, we were led by an official of Hoi An Fatherland Front Committee to entertain the delicacies across Hoi An. In Nguyen Thai Hoc Street, Chinese-origin community offers all kinds of food from Cao lau to many types of noodles and cakes.
Hoi An is very attractive to foreign tourists who can call their food by Vietnamese-English bilingual menus. The foods were spicy but the pedestrians were relaxed in their trip to Quang Nam. Reported by Cam Ly – Translated by Vi Bao
