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Museum of Sa Huynh Culture

Museum of Sa Huynh Culture in Hoi An Ancient Town provides tourists information about the Sa Huynh culture, one of three major cultures of Vietnam during the Iron Age. Here display the collection of 2000 years old artifacts around Hoi An which were found from 1989 to 1994. Ask for your Hoi An hotels for the direction here, it’s right in the Ancient Town.

Sa Huynh Culture

Three thousand years ago, together with Dong Nai Culture in Southern Vietnam, Sa Huynh Culture developed for twelve centuries (1000 BC to 200 AC). Back then, Sa Huynh in the central, Dong Son and Oc Eo in the north of Vietnam were three major cultures and were the cradle of civilization in Vietnam. Hoi An was a prosperous harbor city, which leaded to the influence of Chinese, Indian and other Asian countries’ cultures on Sa Huynh culture. Over the centuries, we have seen so many civilizations come and go, and Sa Huynh was one of them, perhaps one of the most extraordinary ones.

Distributed along the Central Vietnam, however, the center of Sa Huynh culture was Quang Nam – Quang Ngai provinces. Sa Huynh culture was the contribution from many groups, and the major influence was from Austronesian peoplesin Southeast Asia, another group was Mon-Khmer people lived along the Truong Son-Tay Nguyen mountain range. Sa Huynh economy was contributed from many sectors: agriculture (wet rice), forestry and fishery. Sa Huynh people also developed their traditional crafts and traded with foreign merchants in Southeast Asia, India and China. Especially by the end of the era, sea trading was booming. During the first centuries AC in the Central, some harbor cities were formed along the coast line, included Hoi An, it was the dawn of Champa Kingdom.

Museum of Sa Huynh Culture

Locates on 149 Tran Phu street, Hoi An Ancient Town, Museum of Sa Huynh Culture displays the two thousand years old unique artifacts collection. These artifacts prove:

During the Sa Huynh Era, wet rice planting, fishing and other crafts quite developed. The cultural exchange between local people and people from different parts of Vietnam, as well as other countries in the area was clearly. Hoi An was the pre-harbor city of Central Vietnam.

Some artifacts were found on Cham Islands, which meant there were people living here 3000 years ago.

Other Sa Huynh traditions and customs were reflected through these artifacts.

Tips: Included in the ticket to Hoi An Ancient Town, opened from 7:00am until 9:00pm every day. Close on 10th every month. From your Hoi An hotels, take a walk to the Ancient Town and you will find the museum easily.

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Japanese Covered Bridge – The Symbol of Hoi An

Chua Cau is one of the most spectacular sites of Hoi An. It also has the honor of being printed on the 20,000 VND bill. There’s no point of visiting Hoi An without a stop by Japanese Bridge, this is the soul of charming Hoi An. Besides providing Hoi An hotel booking, we also provide interesting information about Hoi An. This week, it’s going to be the very ancient bridge in the Ancient Town.

In 1653, the pagoda part of Japanese Bridge was built and locals began to call the bridge “Chua Cau”.

The Bridge

Japanese Covered Bridge (or Chua Nhat Ban) was built in the 17th Century by Japanese merchants to keep down Namazu monster. Namazu was a giant catfish with its head lied under India, body under Vietnam (Hoi An), its tail under Japan, the monster caused earthquake and flood every time it moved. Legend says the bridge was a sword stick on the back of Namazu monster to stop it from moving.

Back then, Nguyen Lords treated Chinese refugees very well so they decided to settle in Hoi An. Japanese traders also stayed here six months every year. So the Chinese and Japanese divided into two areas with the bridge in between.

In 1633 Tokugawa Bakufu stop its civilians from trading with foreign countries, the last Japanese left Hoi An in 1637, then the Japanese town in Hoi An was managed by Vietnamese, who was Minh Huong people, and this was the origin of Minh Huong village.

In 1979, Nguyen Phuc Chu Lord visited Hoi An, named the bridge “Lai VienKieu”, which meant “welcomes faraway friends”. During the renovations in 1817, 1865, 1915, 1986, the bridge lost most of its Japanese characters and replaced by Vietnamese – Chinese style.

The Pagoda

The Pagoda part of Japanese Bridge was built in 1653 to worship Xuanwu God.

On the entrance stand two wooden statues as guardians: a dog and a monkey. In Asian belief, dog and monkey were worshiped as mascots and Japanese put the statues here to calm the Namazu down. Furthermore, the construction started in the year of Monkey and finished in the year of Dog. One more special thing is the pagoda doesn’t worship Buddha but it worship Xuanwu –a powerful God rules the Northern and can control sea monsters. He’s the Poseidon of the Orient.

In Hoi An from September to December annually, there are often floods and typhoons. Every time the flood rises, the town is sunk into the water for a few days. Xuanwu has the talent to stop these disasters and help merchants in Hoi An work safely. This is why the Pagoda part of Japanese Bridge is the moral support for civilians through their hard time.

Tips: To enter the pagoda, you need ticket which is included in Hoi An Ancient Town ticket. Japanese Covered Bridge is right in the Ancient Town, you can hardly miss it while take a walk here. After making a Hoi An hotel booking, find and mark this site on the map.

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Gia Long Emperor And His Amore

Gia Long was the founder, thefirst Emperor of Nguyen Dynasty of Vietnam. Back then in 17thand 18thCentury, Vietnam was separated for more than 150 years because of the civil war between Trinh – Nguyen. Trinh Lord ruled the Northern and Nguyen Lord in the Southern Vietnam. Nguyen Anh (Gia Long), the grandson of last Nguyen Lord, was forced into hiding in 1777 under the pursuit of Tay Son revolt army. However, he also started a 25-years war with Tay Son with the help of Siamese (Thai) and French army. Until 1802, Nguyen Anh defeated Tay Son and reunited the country, started the Nguyen Dynasty with its capital in Hue.

In Vietnamese textbook and other documents, Gia Long was the most critical Emperor of Vietnam, when he had to seek reinforcements from Siamese and French to fight back his own compatriots. However, let’s take a close look about this in the next article. Today, we are going to tell you about Gia Long Emperor’s love story. If you are seeing this article while looking for hotels Hoi An, it’s a sign that you should visit Hue and it’s world heritages. And the story is written in this picture.

Gia Long Emperor was one of a few kings who chose to be buried alongsidewith his Empress. When ThuaThien Cao Empress passed away in 1814, he was suffered. He managed the mausoleum construction himself and even went through a big accident. Then 6 years after finishing it, he laid down his life next to her. 

ThuaThien Cao Empress, born Tong PhucLan, was the one who had went through pains and bitterness with her husband. Many times she had to run away from the pursuit of Tay Son army. Many times when Gia Long was on the run, she was still there and took care of her mother-in-law, took care of the family. It was a dark period of their history, when Nguyen Anhand his son, Canh prince, had to seek reinforcements from Siamese and French army. Before he left, Nguyen Anh took a gold ingot and split it in half, he kept a half and gave the other to his Emprss, “I’m going to leave now with our son. Our reunion day is unknown, my Empress, take this gold ingot as our secure”.                                    The Empress waited for him came back from Siam. After the Emperor got Gia Dinh (SaiGon and around area now) back, he picked his Empress back home from PhuQuoc Island, since then, she never left him. On the battle field full of blood and dangers, she was still there by side the Emperor to encourage him and his soldiers. In 1802, Gia Long Emperor reunited the country and made his wife the Empress in 1806, she was 44 years old back then. Two thirds of her life was chaos and rough. 

One day, Gia Long asked for the gold ingot he gave her years ago, she was still keeping it. The Emperor was touched and the gold ingot is now worshiped at Phung Tien Court. Through pains and bitterness, she was still by his side. And the Emperor, after he had got everything in his hands, still loved his Empress.

After 8 years of honors, ThuaThien Cao Empress passed away, left the Emperor with his broken heart. He managed to build the tomb, and told his son Minh Mang (who was going to be the next Emperor) to bury him alongside. Two people, who had shared their pains and happiness, now lied down side by side and sleep eternally. If you have the chance to visit Gia Long Tomb, which is thefurthest one from the city center, you will catch an extremely romantic path leads to the mausoleum. His tomb is a harmonious combination between history and nature. This love story, was not only a beautiful love story, but also a moral lesson for generations. Book your hotels Hoi An, Hue and Da Nang with us, and explore these charming cities’ glory history.

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Ao Dai of Vietnam

Vietnam is a rich culture country is Southeast Asia, famous with its tradition cloth – Aodai. Perhaps no area is quite as committed to the conservation of their costumes than Hue, its Ancient Capital. Not many other places in Vietnam female students have to wearAodai to school like in Hue. In this city, the Ao Dai is proudly preserved by everyone, from youths to elders, by wearing it in special occasions and big ceremony. Along with Truong Tien Bridge, Perfume River, Thien Mu Pagoda, Aodai Hue has been the greatest symbol of Hue. Along time ago in Hue, Aodai had been worn daily, from imperial concubines to shopkeepers in Dong Ba market. If you had booked Hue, Da Nang or Hoi An hotels, spend at least one day to order this symbolic dress.

Ao Dai and its history

Aodai was shaped during the 18th century, under the rule of Nguyen PhucKhoat Emperor. According to Mr. Ho Tan Phan, a Hue culture and history researcher: “Vietnamese females by that time usually worn dress. Under the Nguyen Emperors, there was a social reform for a new image different from the old days. Women gave up dresses and worn pants, the precursor of Aodai.” Here Aodai is not only fashion, but also a character, a life style of Vietnamese.

Some says Aodai is a variations of Ao Tu Than (four-panel traditional dress). However, these two types of cloth have different origins. Ao Tu Than was from the Northern Vietnam, was worn outside Yem (brassiere) with Vay (long dress). Ao Tu Than was usually made from soft fabric, Ao Tu Than was for women only. While Aodai, in the past, was loosely fitted and was for both men and women. It was not a symbol of aesthetics, but a symbol of elegance.

Nowadays, men also wear the same Aodai, which did not go through much change. Men now wear Aodai at engagements, weddings or even funerals.

The process of making Ao Dai

If you have chance to visit Hue, Da Nang and Hoi An, it’s very easy to find a fabric store and order a tailor-made Ao Dai, which takes only a few hours to finish. However, Ao Dai with a lot of details and artworks may take up to a week.

Measure and cut

After choosing your favorite fabric (which is usually silk), you will be measured and then the tailor starts to cut into pieces. It requires a lot of experiences and skills in cutting silk, a flowing and stretchy fabric, with neat and straight lines.

Sew and finishing touch

After the cutting process, the tailor works on different parts such as neck, back and front, sleeves, pants.When the pieces are assembled, additional artwork (optional) will be added.

Now the garment industry in Central Vietnam is extremely developing. While booking Hoi An hotels, take your chance to get beautiful tailored Ao Dai. You can customize your dress and its artworks, however, we Vietnamese always prefer plaincolor, which is a symbol for both elegance and simplicity.

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Traveling Without Internet Part 1: Thuy Tien Lake in Hue

Welcome to our series no-internet-trip. Everyone wants an off the beaten track trip, but how can we know for sure where is the best place to escape from tourists while you can’t even find it on the map? Here we go! Follow us to explore untouched, isolated or abandoned places around the Central Vietnam.

This week, we are going to explore an abandoned Amusement park in Hue, which is an inspiring place to visit on the Halloween day. Don’t forget we also bring you news from the Central Vietnam besides booking hotels Hoi An!

First of all, rent a motorbike and head out 10km from Hue city center to the Southwest, into the jungles. Locates on ThienAn Hill, Thuy Tien Lake used to be a locals’ favorite place. Then the authorities, noticed the demand back then, decided to invest an Amusement Park here including the Aquarium, VCR game room, water park, kayaking, musical fountain, restaurant and so on. However, after a few years of unproductive running, the park has been closed and forgotten since 2014.

This used to be the camping place for secondary and high school students in the city. It used to be a fun and exciting, full of memories about childhood.

However, for many reasons, this project had never been finished. The park is now devastated by time and taken by nature, there’s no sign of human being, everywhere is covered by overgrowth weeds, the decorated sculptures are damaged and disfigured. Everything is now broken with rust, moss and graffiti on them.

Walk along the path from the entrance, you will see a dragon landing on the aquarium in the middle of the lake. Walk up the stairs inside the dragon and reach its jaws, from here you can see a stunning view of the lake, hills and mountains. On the way to the top, you will pass through tanks filled with water, but fishes now are long gone. Along the hall, you will pass through the place where crocodiles used to live. Although it’s not there anymore, stay away from the edge, for your safety.

There’s also a grandstand which can hold hundreds of people for musical fountain show. Now the remains is what a post-apocalypse world going to look like. You can easily imagine hungry zombies are waiting in the corner waiting for the next target.

Dark tourism now has been rising all over the world, such as killing fields in Phnom Penh, concentration camp in Auschwitz or Jeju Uprising in South Korea. Although Thuy Tien Amusement Park was not a historically associated place, it’s certainly a haunting visit for everyone. While making booking hotels Hoi An, don’t forget to spend at least one day in Hue to visit this site if you are a fan of horror movie.

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A Fancy Stay In Da Nang For Summer Escape

Friendly people, fresh air, clean and civilized city are some of the reasons why Da Nang City is amazing. In fact, it’s in top 10 worth living city in the world, selected by Live and Invest Overseas Magazine. Premium accommodations along Da Nang’s stunning beaches are now commanding global attention. In this article, follow us and explore one of the finest places for summer escape in this Southeast Asia City – Inter Continental Da Nang Sun Peninsula.

Located on Son Tra Peninsula, InterContinental Da Nang is a harmonious combination between nature and Vietnamese architecture. This secluded small town was designed by Bill Bensley from Bill Bensley Studios Bangkok, includes even cable car system, cinema, karaoke rooms with different themes.

While making hotels booking Hoi An, don’t forget accommodations in Da Nang are available on our website too! Now, prepare yourself as we are going to tell you our luxury stay in Da Nang.

We were totally surprised by its picturesque beauty from the entrance, the friendly staff greeted us with welcome drink. Because we arrived too soon, our rooms were not ready yet, so we enjoyed the pool where we had to take the cable car to get to. Passing through Long Bar and Soar Gym, we got to Long Pool and caught the panoramic view of East Sea.

Upon checking-in, we received a catalogue and a map of the area to follow whenever we need a walk. Our room was a 80sqm Classic Terrace Suite, with wooden floor and private balcony open to the East Sea view, where had the romantic dining table.

We went to La Maison 1888 Restaurant for lunch, which was in top 10 best restaurants in the world selected by CNN. Every detail and room in this restaurant told us the story of a Vietnamese noble family during the French Colonial Era. La Maison brought us to France with its dishes, cooked by the famous three Michelin-starred Chef Pierre Gagnaire.

We spent the whole afternoon at Buffalo Bar, relaxing in room and at the beach, walking around the area (which was freaking large!) before our dinner at Citron Restaurant. We missed the Sunday Brunch here as we came here on Monday. Just like its name sounds, this restaurant was designed with citron theme, through the contrast of bright yellow and green on black. Imagine enjoying Vietnamese cuisine while having a feast for your eyes in the wonderful sights of mountains and sea in twilight!

At night, the croaking sound of (man-made) frogs rose up, the weather was getting cooler, and the tranquility brought us to sleep.

We left in the morning after amazing breakfast at Citron restaurant and departed for the airport to catch the flight. As a guest of Inter Continental, we were able to use Sun Peninsula Airport Lounge – a high-class waiting room right next to Vietnam Airlines Business Class waiting room.

These were our experiences at Inter Continental Da Nang, an absolute fancy place for summer escape in Vietnam. Thanks to the nature, Vietnam has so many beautiful places, stay tune with hotelshoian.com, look for best deals for hotels booking Hoi An, Da Nang and Hue then discover them all!

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