Indian journalist Sandip Hor loves coming to Vietnam and have been several times before, mainly in the north and south of the country, including Ha Noi - the capital, Sapa, Ha Long Bay, Ninh Binh and Ho Chi Minh City. And this time he returned to Vietnam, he visited the ancient port city of Hoi An and the modern coastal city of Quy Nhon. These destinations are famous as vacations for those who love the sun, sea and sand.

Hoi An - Cultural convergence destination

Hoi An Ancient Town (Photo: Collection)

Nestled on the banks of the Thu Bon River, the ancient town of Hoi An was once a 2,000-year-old river port settlement. Merchants from China, India, Persia, Japan and Europe used to come here to buy and sell spices, silk, jewellery and other goods. Some people have decided to stay in Hoi An and help it become a convergence destination for many cultures.

Many centuries have passed still Hoi An retains most of its ancient features. That's what attracted tourists and inspired UNESCO in 1999 to declare it a World Heritage Site.

Describing his feelings when coming to Hoi An, Sandip Hor stated, the best way to enjoy the beauty of Hoi An is to walk along the riverbank and adjacent alleys. Hoi An is captivating by its ancient beauty as soon as you step out of the resort. Sandip Hor felt like he was wandering in an outdoor museum, where there are many ancient buildings built from the 15th to the 19th centuries, reflecting the ancient beauty and artistic architectural influence of the Chinese, Japanese, Portugal and France.

Exploring the temple remains of My Son

My Son Sanctuary (Photo: Collection)

While Hoi An is a commercial centre bearing the mark of the Champa era, My Son Sanctuary is considered the religious and cultural centre of the Champa period, located about 45 km from Hoi An.

From the 4th to the 13th centuries, in My Son, they built a series of temples with Hindu-consciousness, which was introduced to the royals by visiting traders from India. Over time, many works of art have been lost due to natural disasters and historical upheavals.

The tower is built of dark red bricks taken from local soil, with a wide and tapered flower-shaped top. The tower's floor plan is mostly square with a narrow interior space, usually with a single door opening to the East (the direction of the rising sun). The ceiling is arched, inside the tower is a stone altar to the god. The art of carving and meticulously carving images of flowers, birds, dancers, and gods is shown on the outer wall of the tower.

The Indian Journalist went to My Son Sanctuary for a half-day excursion. With the assistance of a tour guide, he walked past the remains of temple towers, some intact and others only partially preserved. Orange-coloured bricks with stone columns were used for construction. What's special is that the towers are all built of bricks using a technique that is still unknown to this day. The ancient Cham people did not use adhesives, the bricks seemed to be just ground tightly, stacked but solid. Some towers were heavily damaged but have now been gracefully restored to their original beauty.

Quy Nhon, Central Vietnam's hottest destination

Bai Trung, Quy Nhon (Photo: Collection)

Located 300 km south of Hoi An, Quy Nhon is currently an attractive destination in Central Vietnam. Not only the coastline but also the peaceful space is also an attractive destination for tourists. Quy Nhon owns many gorgeous beaches such as Bai Xep, Ky Co, Nhon Hai, … Besides watersports and beach activities, visitors can also go sandboarding near Nhon Ly beach or take a afternoon boat trips to catch some fish for BBQ on the beach.

The Vietage by Anantara train departs daily from Da Nang station in the morning and arrives in Quy Nhon in the afternoon.

Rail Adventure offers luxury service throughout the journey. The train journey not only offers breathtaking rural views of central Vietnam but also a diverse offering with multi optional drinks, snacks, delicious 3-course lunches and many others.

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