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Cu Lao Cham (Cham Islands)
Location: Cu Lao Cham is situated in Tan Hiep Commnue, 20km from Hoi An in the direction of the East Sea.
Characteristics: Cu Lao Cham consists of eight islets very close to one another: Hon Lao, Hon Kho Me, Hon Kho Con, Hon Tai, Hon Dai, Hon La, Hon Mo and Hon Ong.
According to archaeologists, Cu Lao Cham first settled there 3,000 years ago and established
business contacts with external countries some 1,000 years ago. Up to now, Cu Lao Cham has preserved many architectural constructions which date back to the 18th – 20th century. They include the shrine dedicated to Than Yen Sao, built in 1843 at Bai Huong and Hai Tang Pagoda, built in 1753 on the western hillside of Hon Lao. Still, Cu Lao Cham has more to offer. After a 3-hour canoe trip, one may hop over to the famed Well of the Cham people.
Situated in a salty-water area, this square-bottom well, amazingly, provides clear fresh water all year round. Enjoyable extras include white-sand, pristine beaches and captivating attractions evocatively named Bai Ong, Bai Bim, Bai Chong, Bai Bac, Suoi Tinh, Cau Mo, Suoi Ong and so on, where tourists can relax, go hunting, fishing even fishing octopuses.
Travellers also have chances to view the sea swallows’ nests clinging to the towering cliff. Cu Lao Cham wins kudos for its seafood and delicacies (octopuses, lobsters, fish’s fin, abalone, kaki, hind, cholonia’s eggs, birds’ nests…) and fascinating souvenirs (pearls, conches, tortoise-shells…)
My Son, a World Heritage Site
Location: My Son lies in a narrow valley in Duy Tan Commune, Duy Xuyen District, Quang Nam Province. 70km southwest of Danang City, 20km away from the Tra Kieu Citadel, and 40km away from the ancient town of Hoi An.
Characteristics: My Son is a group of temple-towers of Cham people. With its great value, in December 1999, the complex of My Son Cham Towers has been recognised as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
Various researches by archaeologists and architects have revealed that at the beginning, there was
only one small wooden temple built by King Bhadresvara I in late 4th century. In the 7th century, King Sambhuvarman had it rebuilt, using more durable materials From then on, successive Cham kings, when enthroned, had their temple-towers constructed as offerings to their gods. During seven centuries (7th to 14th century), such temple-towers mushroomed in My Son, turning this land into a cultural, and religious center of the Cham Kingdom.
My Son was a complex of constructions, including different temple-towers and stela in various architectural styles. French researchers listed some 70 temple-towers there. However, time and war together have taken their toll on these relics. Now, only 20 temple-towers remain almost intact. The rest have been reduced to ruins. These vestiges are valuable treasures of information for studying the development of Cham culture. During its seven centuries of development, Cham arts produced many works equal to masterpieces of the world. Though less impossing than the Angkor in Cambodia and less diversified than the Pagan site in Myanma, My Son is unique of its kind in Southeast Asia
Hoi An, a World Heritage Site
Location: Hoi An is an old town down the Thu Bon River, on the coastal plain of Quang Nam Province, about 30 km south of Danang.
Characteristics: The architectural significance of Hoi An has been recognized by UNESCO, during the 23rd Congress which took place in Marrakech (Morocco) from the 29th of November to the 4th of December, since the town was officially listed as a World Heritage Site.
After a long period of absence from the tourist map, this lovely town started to draw the attention of visitors and researchers at the beginning of the 1980’s. What is so special about Hoi An is that this little port town is in an incredible state of preservation. It offers some of the most densely concentrated sights in Vietnam with its old streets bordered with ancient houses and assembly halls, its pagodas, temples, ancient wells and tombs. In total, more than a thousand places of interest.
The architecture of Hoi An is characterised by a harmonious blend of Vietnamese, Chinese and Japanese influences. After many centuries, Hoi An is still respectful of its traditions, folk festivals, beliefs and of its sophisticated culinary art.
Set in a quiet environment, Hoi An is surrounded by peaceful villages, a beautiful river, the sea and sunny beaches. Offshore, Cu Lao Cham Islands are very famous for sheltering their prized birds’ nests.
Thanh Ha Pottery Village
Location: Thanh Ha Pottery Village is located in Thanh Ha Ward, Hoi An Town, Quang Nam Province.
Characteristics: Having its origins from Thanh Hoa Province, the pottery-making profession in Thanh Ha Village absorbed some techniques, original in Quang Nam Province and hence their products have become different from all the others in Vietnam, though also based on clay with manual manipulation and kiln heat. The originality of their products resides in the color, durability, lightness and decoration.
Although it has experienced various changes of time, economic difficulties and foreign competition, the local inhabitants are always trying to preserve a traditional profession, inherited from their ancestors. For generations and in a silence, the village has contributed to the society key items for daily use like cups, bowls, pots, jars, flower-pots...
Depending on the time of burning and the temperature of kiln, the color can be changed from pink, pink yellow to red, light brown and ink-black. Thanks to the special technique of processing soil and the combination of successive manipulations, the durability of their products is nearly at the top rank compared to the others in the country and the brightness is same like enamel. Also, this pottery is lighter than the others. Especially, a soft and clear sound with echo can be heard by knocking on the product. Some products are offered on request or used for planting orchids, pot plants; they are decorated with the sink and float vignettes that are simple but very nice.
Thanh Ha Pottery craftsmen had ever been invited by the Court of Nguyen Dynasty in Hue to create special products for activities of the imperial palace. The same as Kim Bong wood craftsmen, they were put at the eight or nine grades of mandarin system. In the recent some decades, Thanh Ha pottery has still been sold throughout the country and sometimes abroad (Canada, America, France).
Besides the pottery work, Thanh Ha Village is also famous for bricks and tiles. So far, it has ever supplied double, zigzag and tubular tiles for the old architectural constructions, of which the Hoi An Ancient City with the restoration and embellishment of places of historical interest.
Kim Bong Carpenter Village
Location: Kim Bong Carpenter Village is located in Cam Kim Commune, Hoi An Town, Quang Nam Province.
Characteristics: The carpentry of this village is believed to originate from North Vietnam, and has long been famous with its arts of wood carving and sculpture.
Through contact and exchange with artisans of the same trade from Siem, China, Japan and so on,
combined with their own skills; these Kim Bong carpenters have created pieces of work which have normally great meaning in philosophy and fine arts. Products made here have been marketed in domestic as well as oversea markets.
Phuoc Kien Assembly Hall
Location: Located at 46 Tran Phu St., Hoi An Town, Quang Nam Province.
Characteristics: Phuoc Kien Assembly Hall, also called Kim Son Pagoda, was built in 1692 by Chinese Phuoc Kien merchants.
It has since been restored and enhanced many times. Because it was used for worship as well as for
meetings by the Chinese from Phuoc Kien Province, this construction is now called the Phuoc Kien Assembly Hall.
The Holy Mother and the Goddess of the Sea, Thien Hau, are worshipped in the main sanctuary. The Phuoc Kien ancestors and the God of Prosperity are worshipped in the sanctuary behind the main one.
This temple is architecturally unique with its artistic ornaments and beautiful statues. The Chinese architectural style combined with Vietnamese workmanship has enriched it with Hoi An’s cultural character.
Cua Dai Beach
Location: Cua Dai Beach is located in the area of Cam An Ward, about 4km to the north-east of Hoi An Town, Quang Nam Province.
Characteristics: Cua Dai Beach is over 3km in length and up to 300m in width. The beach boasts fine white sand, clear and blue water, moderate slopes and small waves, which make it ideal for recreational activities like swimming and other sea sports.
After visiting the relics in the old town, visitors can go to Cua Dai Beach to enjoy sea food specialities in an ideal environment of immense sky and sunshine.
In the shady palm-lined road bordering the beach stand some large seaside resorts such as Hoi An Beach Resort or Victoria Resort, where lodgings built in Vietnamese traditional style are available. On summer holidays, the famous beach of Cua Dai cools off those heading to Hoi An.
Japanese Covered Bridge
Location: Japanese Covered Bridge, also called the Pagoda Bridge (Chua Cau) is located in Hoi An Town, Quang Nam Province.
Characteristics: The Pagoda Bridge was built in the 16th century and is still incredibly well-preserved.
More than 400 years have passed and the covered bridge has always been a good shelter for passers by escaping from the rain and heat.
On the northern side of the bridge is a Japanese pagoda to protect sailors. There are statues of two dogs located at the western end of the bridge and two monkeys at the eastern end. It is said that the construction started in the year of the monkey and finished in the year of the dog, according to Chinese ca
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