I’m now in Hoi An, just a 30 minute ride from Da Nang, but different in many ways. It is way more laid back, more village like, with amazing markets and places to eat. I already know, being here less than 24 hours, that this is my favorite place in Vietnam. I’m staying close to Old Town with its historic markets, temples and pagodas. It is a UNESCO world heritage site and is beautiful.
Hoi An sits on the Thu Bon River and you can walk along the banks to take in the view. There are markets, shops, restaurants and MORE coffee shops than in Seattle. (I’ve found that to be the case throughout Vietnam.) There are museums, ancient house, temples and pagodas. Hoi An is actually famous for being a city that was never bombed during the Vietnam War.
I was in high school during the Vietnam War, and it played a big part in our lives at the time. Uncles, cousins and friends were drafted and went off to fight. It was a very tough time for America. At the time, I couldn’t even have conceived of visiting the country, and it does feels a bit surreal to be here, even after all of these years. Our role in the history of this beautiful country is evident in many places. The people have united, survived and thrived in spite of war and bombing. This is a place that is well worth the visit.