We left Hue bright and early for the 4 hour drive to Danang over the Ba Na Pass which afforded us great views of the misty mountains and down to the South China Sea with spectacular white sandy beaches. Unfortunately the misty bit meant that no good photos were forthcoming. We stopped briefly at an oyster farm and then into Danang with its rather spectacular Dragon Bridge.
Danang is the 3rd largest city in Vietnam and is very different and modern with a large harbour and lots of sandy beaches. Including China Beach (of TV series fame). Danang also has the Museum of Cham Sculpture which has many statues and carving salvaged from the My Son Hindu temple complex (more of that later) and other sites.
We then drove along the coast towards Hoi An, passing numerous enormous new hotel, resort and condominium developments which, when completed and occupied, will unfortunately probably swamp the entire area with millions more Chinese Tourists with their bloody selfie obsession. Hoi An is or was a lovely old town which was an important trading port, attracting traders from China & Japan and even Europe from the 16th to the 18th century. Many of the old buildings still remain and it seems to have avoided being bombed during the Indochina and Vietnam Wars. My favourite town so far with loads of street life and shops and restaurants which finally, after Tet, are reopening their doors. Fab hotel on the banks of the Thu Bon River but heaving with tourists !!
An ancient covered bridge which used to be the link between the Chinese and Japanese quarters. And a couple of dogs having a love-in on the pavement…
A good Vietnamese restaurant for dinner and then a stroll back to the hotel. Off to My Son in the morning.