Vietnam Historical Trip, Day 7: Da Nang

If Cambodia has Angkor Wat and Indonesia has Borobudur Temple (both ticks are still off in our bucket list), Vietnam has its own decades-old Hindu temples in Quảng Nam province, located specifically in My Son Sanctuary. Built by the King of Champa between the 4th and 14th centuries, they are dedicated to the worship of the god Shiva.

After an hour, we reached the sanctuary about 70 km southwest of Da Nang. The site is surrounded by mountain ranges and the temples are quite scattered. We just follow the signboard that dictates the temple's sequence along the trails.

Many architectural buildings were bombed by the US Army during the Vietnam War.

From the inside of the temple, we gaze upwards.

The temples are made of a reddish brick. Decorative carvings have been cut directly into the bricks.

One of the temples was converted into an exhibition room.

Some of the relics found at the site

Excavation and restoration work sponsored by German and Dutch Company

Jangan pandang belakang!

Part of the staircase has been restored

The staircase is still undergoing restoration work due to significant damage.

Imagination of the archaeologist to reform the temple 

It was scorching hot towards midday

Some of the temples ruined are left untouched

Our next stop is Hoi An, another serene small town located some 40 km from the sanctuary. You ask, how serene is it? Just take a look at the landscape shot below.

It was hardly to see any sort of cars, vans, or whatsoever type of vehicles moving around the city. Only bicycles and motorbikes, not to mention the quiet and peaceful ambiance in the late afternoon. The city is also listed as one of the World Cultural Heritage Sites. Our point for the small town tour started at Hoi An bridge, also known as the Bridge of Light.

I guessed the bridge bright at night

Strolled along the fashion street

Stop over the Fujian Chinese Assembly Hall

Then, we continued walking towards the Cho Hoi An, literally the city market. There were several art & craft shop that worth hopping in.

Not so busy wet market; it was midday

Loved the wooden shop that still preserved

And also nice painting works. We bought some for souvenirs.

Another two interesting places that worth to visit were the Tran Family Chapel and Hoi An Museum.

Let me tell you about this......

Kami datang nak beraya ni...

Nice wooded sculpture that caught my attention

The Tran's family descendant

Sort of old coins collection of the family

We popped in for getting acquainted to Hoi An history

An iron wood believed to be used to build boats

The same style of bell found in Hue

The Japanese Covered Bridge was our last stop at Hoi An. We bought some souvenirs and had simple pho lunch at one of the stall, besides a river.

One of Vietnam's most iconic attractions, in Hoi An

It is claimed that it was built by the Japanese in the 18th century

This is another picture just to show how serene the town was. I must say that this was a nice town to settle down in.