Hoi An is the garment capital of Viet Nam. Whether you are looking for a reproduction of your favorite ensemble, an outfit clipped from fashion magazines or simply a tailored suit, Hoi An is a place to shop.
The covered Japanese bridge is Hoi An’s most celebrated attraction. Its pinkish hue, ornate roof and arched frame have been restored to their original splendor, the perfect Oriental combination of form and function. Built in the 1950s by the Japanese, the bridge hosts a temple and is guarded by monkey and dog statues on either side. While Hoi An has many recognized ‘old houses’, the most preserved and celebrated is the Tan Ky Old House.
The Quan Cong temple is adorned with elaborate statues and artwork. The unique carp fountains spit water out of their mouths whenever it rains. Otherwise, we assume they breathe air.
Head next to the Phuoc Lam Pagoda, a holy site known for the history of one of its monks, An Them. Upon returning from his time in the army, his remorse for the lives he took drove him to clean the central market without pay for twenty years. Before retirement, he considered sending a bill, but the penance was enough reward in itself.
Five kilometers from the centre of town is Cua Dai Beach. When visiting Hoi An, it will be a pity if tourist miss it. It is famous for sandy beach, warm sea and seafood stalls. Hoi An is also well known for its excellent seafood and it also boasts its own unique dishes as Cao Lau, a delicious noodles, pork, bean sprouts, mint and croutons. You can also visit My Son, to which it takes a half-day from Hoi An, where the capital of the once great Champa Kingdom stood. The Cham Museum has the finest collection of Cham sculpture in the world. The striking features of this can be seen at My Son site. Another popular site in the Danangarea is the Marble Mountains, five sacred marble and limestone hills. There are many shrines and temples which have been constructed over the centuries both on the hillsides and in the spectacular natural caves concealed within the hills. {itpsharepoint}
