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Da Nang's Dragon Bridge is lit at night with thousands of
LED lights. On Saturday and Sunday at 9 PM it provides
a fire and water show. |
For this fifth-largest city in Vietnam, we opted for a private guide with a driver to explore the area. Private tours scheduled with local companies invariably were less expensive than the large bus tours offered by the cruise ship. Considerable research prior to leaving home resulted in booking a number of such tours.
Our female guide, Trang, was well-versed in history and culture and started our tour at the Cham Museum of Sculpture. The statuary represented works from a 2000-year old Hindu culture that once ruled the area. From the museum, we moved on to Marble Mountain. This cluster of five limestone mountains outside the city features tunnels, sacred sites, and Buddhist shrines. Mining in these sacred mountains ended quite some time ago, but marble is still widely mined in the country, and a number of shops located near the mountains, showed off the creations, from beaded bracelets to large carved lions.
Throughout the drive, Trang pointed out the decorations being prepared for the upcoming Chinese
New Year celebration on Feb 15. We had noticed truckloads of kumquat trees being transported and learned that every family tries to purchase one of these trees to bring their family good luck for the New Year. Apricot blossoms in the South and Peach blossoms in the North are also important
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Extensive flower display being prepared for New Year's
Celebration |
purchases. Decorations for sale along the roadways were primarily red for luck and happiness and gold for money. Families actually start celebrating a week or two ahead of time, and then followup with another week or so after the fact, if they are able.
A silk embroidery shop was next on the agenda. Displays of live silkworms, the cocoons, and an explanation of how the silk thread is made was a part of the presentation. We found it interesting that a single cocoon yields a mile of silk thread. Pictures embroidered by the woman are extremely detailed and an 18" X 24" piece can take 3-4 months to complete and sells for $400-600 or more depending on the amount of detail. Of course, gorgeous lengths of silk can be purchased, or a suit or dress can be made to order.
Next, we moved on to the ancient city of Hoi An. This merchant riverside town is a UNESCO World Heritage site, that has remained unchanged for centuries. Vehicles are not allowed on the narrow streets, so we set out on foot to explore. We visited a number of old homes, most still inhabited on the upper or inner levels by heirs of the original owners. A small entry fee to the town and various homes helps covers maintenance. While wandering the streets, Trang led us down a narrow alley that opened to the appropriately named restaurant, "The Secret Garden". A multi-course Vietnamese lunch followed; Tuna Soup, Crispy Fried Spring Rolls, Fish in a Clay Pot, Grilled Chicken on Lemon Leaves, Red Hot Pot, steamed rice and fresh pineapple. Impressive.
Following lunch, we visited a few more homes and stopped at the Phue Kien Temple, built in honor of
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| Sculpture at the Phue Kien Temple |
the Goddess of the Sea. It was a full day and finally, we were returned to the ship.
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