Hoi An’s Attractions
Tra
Que Herb Villagge
One of the more unusual tourist attractions when
visiting Hoi An is the Tra Que Herb Village. Local villagers in Vietnam have
for years turned their hand to many crafts. As these crafts have developed so
has their ability to draw in tourists to enjoy their work and see how the daily
lives of these people evolve. In Cam Ha Commune, about 2 miles to the north
east of Da Nang, the village has been growing herbs and vegetables for years
now. Their product was already famous, the rich fertile soil here is fertilized
with seaweed drawn from the nearby Co Co River.
Two hundred and twenty households are involved in
what has become a unique project here in Vietnam. Almost one hundred acres of
land has been cultivated for crops. They grow twenty different varieties of
leaf vegetable alone. These people really understand the land and the
agriculture. The vegetables are designed to “clean” the land before the top
grade crops are planted.
Diners in many of the top restaurants in this area
and beyond will be dining on produce grown here. It is a working tour as well,
with tourists joining in with the world to learn about the daily lives of these
people. Thirty farmers alone are responsible purely for the tourism aspect
here. Visitors are taught how to dig, plant cultivate and harvest the crops.
After a hard day working they can relax, bathe and enjoy the terrific food that
is cooked here.
The waterwheel restaurant on site serves up meals
and of course they used the freshest vegetables imaginable. The rice paper used
in traditional Vietnamese food is laid out to dry. Tourists can visit workshops
here showing the process. The learn all about the grinding of the rice, then
the boiling stretching and finally drying of this particular Vietnamese
favourite. The ingredients are placed in front of the diners and the spring rolls
are made by them as they eat.
Most visitors agree it is worth the effort purely
for the restaurant. But Tra Que offers so much more than this. It is a fun
place to visit and an interesting addition to any tour itinerary. The herb
gardens and vegetable plots make for a lovely place to stroll around. Learning
and sampling as you go all add up to the experience. The journey out takes you
through delightful scenery as farmers tend their crops and water buffalo graze
as they always have. Tra Que is well worth a visit.
Hoi
An Ancient Town
In Hoi An on Vietnam’s South Central coast, the old
ancient town here is a masterpiece of historical and cultural heritage. UNESCO
gave it World Heritage Site status and it is not difficult to understand why.
There has been a trading port here since the 2nd century and it expand slowly
until the 16th century when it flourished mainly due to its strategic position
on the old silk route. This expansion continued through to the 18th
century by which time it was a city of great importance. By this time the rise
of Da Nang as a trading port and the continued silting of the deep sea port at
Hoi An saw it fall from prominence. Its ultimate stagnation as a thriving port
led to its abandonment and it remain, frozen in time. It is remarkably intact
and is indeed the only city of its kind in Vietnam. Situated on the north bank
of the Thu Bon River, it has one street running alongside and three running
parallel to that. These are in turn dissected by streets running perpendicular.
This whole block has been preserved in astonishing condition.
Shop houses, religious monuments, pagodas communal
and family cult houses are all here to be explored and cherished. An old ferry
quay stills remains and market places are also intact. Even more remarkable is
the fact that much of it is built from timber, yet it has still remained in
superb condition. A wooden bridge, similar to the Japanese style of bridge
crosses the river. It has a pagoda built into it. Vietnamese, Japanese and
Chinese tombs are in evidence.
All this of course is of great scientific interest.
However it is also of great tourist interest. It is an extremely picturesque
town. Spending a day or two walking around here exploring the old buildings,
lends a certain charm to any trip. It is a peaceful and tranquil place to spend
time.
It is of great benefit as an educational trip, being
as it is a window on history. Children enjoy seeing the old buildings and will
benefit from a family holiday here. Admission is by a voucher system. Your purchase
your ticket and can then stroll round at your leisure, visiting the places that
take your fancy. It is a living breathing city and one that has a completely
unique atmosphere and feels to it.
Hoi
An Lantern Festival
This is held every month in the coastal town of Hoi
An in Central Vietnam. All the houses and shops in the town will hang a lantern
outside and people gather along the river where more lanterns are lit. It
coincides with the full moon and occurs on the 14th day of each lunar month. If
you are staying in Hoi An on your Vietnam trip, try and coincide your travel
planes with this monthly event.
Once a year in February the festival is largest than
normal. In 2013 for example the main event was on February 9th, Vietnamese New
Year’s Eve. Hundreds of lanterns were hung along the main drag from An Hoi
Bridge to Hoai River Square. This road of about a third of a mile in length was
a blaze of light and colour.
Boat races took place on the river and a range of
cultural and artistic performances took place within the town. It was all part
of a tourism drive that coincided with the City being named in the top ten
Asian cities award, by an American internet magazine.
During the day the city was adorned with flowers and
the whole event was attended by thousands. Many enjoying their first Vietnam
holiday found this to be a highlight.
