Hoi An is a city of about 150,000 people and half-way point between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. The city dates back to the 15th century when it was the largest harbour in South East Asia and major trading hub for the Vietnamese, Chinese, Japanese, Indian, Portuguese, French and English. Many of its original streets and buildings are still preserved intact and there's a major effort in preserving this site. It has become quite a tourist attraction, especially at night:
We found a "Clinton Foundation" restaurant called Streets in old Hoi Ann that we frequented twice as the food was so good:
The foundation helps vulnerable, disadvantaged youth by training them in the food and hotel industry. There were trainees working when we were there including our waitress (who was superb) and the program helps with secure accommodation, health care and daily nutritious meals. I must say their food was the best I've had in all of Vietnam so far.
A few kilometres down the road are some of the best beaches along the Pacific coast:
Those round tub boats by the shore are actually fishing boats the Vietnamese have used for centuries. Thinking back, just 50 years ago U.S. marines were landing on these beaches to keep the Da Nang airport from the Viet Cong. It's sad to think that so many were killed in that war. Luckily, the people here do not dwell on the past nor do they dislike Americans. Rather they are looking to the future and have big plans for this part of the country. For miles along the beaches from Da Nang there are- without exaggeration- probably a hundred large hotels in development- a massive construction site! It's remarkable how quickly time has changed this part of the world.
No comments:
Post a Comment