Very near where the Thu Bon River flows into the South China Sea, it passes through the delightful town of Hoi An, about halfway down the length of the country between Hanoi and Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City). The French colonial influence is unmistakable in the restored old town making it a favorite place to linger for visitors and residents alike.
I spent several days there, staying in a beautiful old hotel with just a few rooms, the only one I could locate with all the atmosphere one might wish for in such a place. There are any number of cafes and shops and, while popular with travelers, it’s by no means overrun. The market, in particular, had an authentic feel when I made my way off the main streets and got lost in the alleys.
For more pictures of the town, have a look at Gumbo’s adventure visiting a bridge across a nearby canal, the Japanese Covered Bridge.
