2014/15 Biking Southeast Asia Daily Snippet

17 January, Hoi An
Nhat Huy Hoang Hotel 210,000VND

In the first century, the port at Hoi An (then named Lam Ap Pho) was the largest in Southeast Asia. From the mid-1500s, maritime trade with the Chinese, Japanese, Indians and Dutch flourished in Hoi An, with many traders establishing permanent residences here. Each year a trade fair lasting three to four months brought many from around the world to Hoi An’s port. Undamaged during both the French and American wars, the old buildings are mustard in colour and charming, many stunningly adapted to a modern world. We visited a temple, strolled the river, and dined well at Mango Mango on tiny An Hoi island opposite the covered Japanese Bridge. In the evening people buy candles in cardboard containers, light them and lower them into the river where they float downstream adding a whimsical element to an evening walk.