Hoi An Friday Dec 5

Friday Dec 5 Hoi An

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STEPS

WEATHER

TOUR DAY 10 1/2 day morning with lunch

ITALICS TOUR DESCRIPTION

After breakfast, you will meet your guide in the lobby of your hotel to start your exploration of Hoi An. On this walking tour, your guide will show you several interesting places around the old town of Hoi An, including the old Japanese Covered Bridge dating back to 1593, the Phuc Kien Temple (Fujian Assembly Hall), a city museum, and the colorful local market. You will walk along tiny streets with houses and buildings influenced by Chinese, Japanese, French, and European architecture. After the walking tour, enjoy some free time to continue your exploration of Hoi An.

Hoi An is a unique destination in Vietnam and Southeast Asia. It's the only city in the country that has preserved this typical architecture of a trading port from the 15th to the 19th centuries. Stroll along the docks, wander around the local markets, or have a silk dress or suit fitted with outstanding quality at an outrageously low price. You can easily explore the old town by foot. There is also a bevy of amazing restaurants, old houses, craft shops, and art galleries where local artists exhibit their works. If you are interested in a more relaxed afternoon, make your way to the beautiful Cua Dai beach, located just a few kilometers away from the bustling city. 

(Breakfast-Lunch)

We were surprised to see rickshaws as it said a walking tour.

Nam arranged for John to get a ride to cut down on his walking, he would meet us at our destinations.

City Market

Trying new fruit, rambutans are an oval-shaped fruit covered in soft spikes that were originally grown in Indonesia and Malaysia. They kind of look like a sea urchin and have a juicy, translucent white flesh.

 Longan fruit, also known as "dragon's eye.

Phuc Kien Assembly Hall Hoi An is one of the unique cultural symbols of Hoi An ancient town, was built around the 17th century. It was originally just a small temple, built by Chinese merchants from Fujian province, China who migrated to Hoi An. They established the Fujian Assembly Hall to worship Thien Hau Thanh Mau, the goddess who protects seafarers. The construction of this temple shows the gratitude of the Chinese community to the goddess who protected them from the storms and helped them reach the new land.

Seemly a ceramics museum but more like a gift shop.

Built in 1858, the building housing the Museum of Trade Ceramics is an elegant example of traditional Vietnamese workmanship which has been kept in first-class condition. There are many antique pieces exhibited including some from a ship wrecked in nearby waters in 1733 and pottery from the Chinese Tang Dynasty dating from the 7th to the 10th centuries.

When L was asked what was upstairs he said "more broken dishes".

Quan Thang Ancient House was built in the 18th century and originally owned by a Chinese captain and merchant. It was named after its first owner – Quan Thang. At that time, this house was used both as a trading place and an accommodation. 

Quan Thang Ancient House has the architectural style of Huaxia region of China. Known as the most beautiful wood sculpture masterpiece in Hoi An Ancient Town, all of its wooden carvings are invented by artisans from Kim Bong Carpentry Village. 

This 300-square-meter house is a typical example of a long tube-shaped house without any upstairs. Its front and back side connect with Nguyen Thai Hoc and Tran Phu Street. While the front of the house is utilized for trading purposes, the back leading to the river wharf is convenient for exporting and importing goods. 

Quan Thang Ancient House retains several major Hoi An architectural features namely crab-shell roofs, a small space with a roof overlooking a sky yard. In addition, the walls surrounding the sky yard are decorated with charming Chinese porcelain pieces, along with a variety of landscape and animal designs.

In general, Quan Thang Ancient House is divided into 3 primary compartments: business space, living space and worship space. Each space has its own uniqueness, but all furnished in a delicate way. 

Nam, explaining that two weeks ago this was flooded to the top of the wooden door on the right.

The numbers on the door frame indicate the water levels in previous years. 2025 had two levels.

We also walked through the kitchen.

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You can get tailor made clothing within 24 hours, and they will bring the outfits to your hotel for fittings. Several in the group did, L and G got suits. And wet passport K claims she had some outfits like these made.

So this is the Japanese bridge, that we took a selfie in front of yesterday.

Japanese Bridge in Hoi An is an iconic symbol of Hoi An Ancient Town, a tourist attraction and a well-designed construction. It has the honor of being printed in Vietnam’s 20,000 VND banknote.

The Japanese Bridge in Hoi An, known as Cau Pagoda (Chùa Cầu), was built in the 17th century with Japanese businessmen’s assistance. As a result, the bridge has been associated with a monster’s legend called Namazu. Specifically, Namazu is a Japanese mythological monster whose movements cause earthquakes and floods. Its head is located in India, while its body is in Vietnam and its tail in Japan.

The bridge was built with the belief of a magical sword to pin down Namazu’s back. Therefore, the monster could not wriggle, preventing natural disasters in Vietnam, Japan, and India. Hence, the lives of people in these three countries would happen in peace and prosperity.

It is now 11:30 and we are given an hour to wander with STRICT instructions to be back here at 12:30.

Most of the group walk back the way we came, we went through the bridge in a new direction.

I love this painting.

We sit for a snack and a beer at Mai Fish.

It is hot and the cold cloths are welcome.

Suddenly Nam appears with John so that he can sit and wait for the rest of the group. Nam says we should wait here as well, as there is no point in going back on our steps to the bridge.

Rickshaws (I made sure we got one with the low step) took us to our restaurant, for another group lunch.

I can't remember what we had, but I know neither Johns want anything to do with the eggplant.

Out the back, by the river.

We were taken back to the hotel after lunch. Housekeeping had been in.

We headed back out! 

Always an Irish pub!

They soon start setting up a night market.

Hoi An's Hoai River tides are crucial, often causing seasonal flooding in the Ancient Town during heavy rains and upstream dam releases, making riverside streets like Bach Dang inaccessible, a regular but manageable event linked to the river's connection to the sea and seasonal water flow, impacting travel and boat activities. 

Like most coastal rivers, the Hoai experiences daily high and low tides influenced by the moon, affecting water levels and boat access, though the seasonal floods are more dramatic. 

Ignore John's finger!

Back for a rest before heading out for dinner.

Yes, AUS steak on a Friday night, just like home.

Bedtime!