Vietnam - Lighting Up in Ancient Hoi An

Hoi An - totally captivating. This beautifully preserved, ancient town is rich in culture, character and charm. I was totally and utterly captivated from the minute I set foot in ancient Hoi An town. My face lit up like the candles floating down the Thu Bon River and the Chinese lanterns strung from the rooftops across the narrow streets and reflecting into the water. We arrived in Hoi An on the magical night of the full moon held on the 14th day of every lunar month. The old town was illuminated with thousands of lanterns, and as we strolled along the riverside hundreds of little paper dishes carrying candles drifted by casting a glow across the water. Local people, dressed in traditional costume, performed beautiful, lilting Vietnamese music from a large wooden junk afloat on the Thu Bon and children demonstrated martial arts. No vehicles or electric lights are allowed in the town on the night of the full moon and this added to the tranquillity and enchantment as we wandered spellbound through the streets amazed that somewhere so unique, charming and fascinating still existed. By day, Hoi An remains captivating; once a busy town trading in spice and silk, many of the homes, temples and pagodas of the Old Town remain beautifully preserved. Flowering plants full of colour and scent trail from balconies, locals wearing coolie hats and selling wares from baskets mingle with tourists. Shops are crammed into the labyrinth of streets and alleyways selling souvenirs, local crafts, lacquer-work, silks and countless tailors’ shops offer made-to-measure clothing. Restaurants abound serving exceptional local dishes and continental fare. Attributed to: http://www.simonseeks.com/travel-guides/vietnam-lighting-ancient-hoi__119428