Hoi An (Vietnam)
Hoi An is located 30 km from Da Nang on the banks of the Thu Bon River. Archaeological finds indicate that the first settlement existed here 2200 years ago. In the XVII-XIX centuries. the city was one of the main international ports of Southeast Asia, where Dutch, Portuguese, Chinese, Japanese and other merchant ships called. Currently, only the tourism business is developing in Hoi An.
Hoi An is a museum city. Here you can see the Japanese covered bridge, Cham towers, houses and assembly halls of Chinese trade guilds, streets reminiscent of the European Mediterranean. In the old quarter, where cars are prohibited, many palaces, pagodas and remnants of military fortifications have been preserved. In 1999 Hoi An recognized by UNESCO as a world cultural heritage site. On the full moon, a local festival takes place in the city. Lanterns are lit in the streets, guests and locals enjoy traditional food, songs, dances and exciting games.
Nature lovers can head to the coast with white sand beaches or take a boat ride along the river. My Son temple complex is located 40 km from Hoi An.. It is a towering brick towers right in the middle of the jungle, decorated with sculptures of gods and demons. Michon is the cradle of the ancient kingdom of Champa, its cultural and religious center. The construction of the complex lasted from the 5th to the 12th century. Archaeologists have identified sites in the complex, designating them in Latin letters. The first site that tourists meet, group B. It is recognized as the spiritual center of Michon. Its main sanctuary, Kalan, was erected in the 11th century. in honor of the god-king Bhadresvara. There is an impressive room with an oval ceiling, designed to store valuables such as golden ritual objects, sacred books that were used during worship in the temple. The ornaments of the outer walls are an excellent example of the Cham decorative style typical of the 9th century. This style is unique to Michon and is not found anywhere else in Southeast Asia. The next door leads to site C. The central temple of the site is dedicated to the humanoid god Shiva. To the east of sites B and C are the meditation halls, which are now used for the exhibition of ancient statues. Complex A suffered the most from the bombing. Its central temple has turned into a pile of stones, from which lone columns peep out. In 1999, it was recognized by UNESCO as a world cultural heritage. from which lone columns peep out. In 1999, it was recognized by UNESCO as a world cultural heritage. from which lone columns peep out. In 1999, it was recognized by UNESCO as a world cultural heritage.
Hue (Vietnam)
According to Cachedhealth, Hue is located in the central part of Vietnam on the Fragrant River (Huong). This is a former capital city. In 1744, the town of Fuxuan, the future Hue, became the capital of southern Vietnam, and from 1802 to 1945. Hue was the capital of the united Annam Empire and the residence of the emperor. In 1968, the city became the scene of the largest battle in the Vietnam War – the so-called “New Year’s Offensive”. Hue, with its grandiose complex of cultural monuments, including 300 architectural objects, is recognized by UNESCO as a world cultural heritage site.
Imperial citadel, the dwelling of the emperor and his family, was built in the first half of the 19th century. It was badly damaged after the fighting in 1968. The southern gate of Ngo Mon is the best preserved. Inside, the mandarin halls, where official ceremonies were held, and the Thai Hoa Palace, where the emperor received ambassadors, have been preserved. Opposite the main gate is the highest flagpole in the country with the national flag on it. At the entrance to the Citadel, on both sides of the flagpole, 9 sacred tools were preserved, made in 1804 and dedicated to 4 cardinal points and 5 elements.
Thien Mu Pagoda is one of the most famous pagodas in Vietnam. It was founded in 1601 on the north bank of the Perfume River, 4 km west of Hue. Its construction is connected with the legend of a fair-haired woman (thien mu) who appeared to the inhabitants and said that their master would build them a pagoda. The local ruler had to start the project.
Necropolis of Emperors (Royal Tombs) – these are 6 graves of former rulers, each of which includes several structures – temples, monuments, arches, steles and the crypt itself. The necropolis is located on the banks of the Fragrant River southwest of the city.
The Hat Market (Dong Ba) is located in the city’s main market. Here you can buy the main pride of Hue – a conical Vietnamese hat. In terms of quality and elegant murals, the hats are indeed better than similar samples in other cities, but they are also more expensive. Sometimes a whole poem with illustrations is depicted on the hat.
