Central Vietnam: A Trip Through Ancient Asia

Vietnam is a country rich in historic treasures that are often overlooked. Travelers get caught in the blinding lights of the big cities or rush off to mountainous motorbike adventures. But central Vietnam has an abundance of ancient cities and monuments that played vital roles in the formation of this marvelous corner of the earth. 

Da Nang City

Da Nang is the main gateway to central Vietnam and is a fantastic city to explore. It has been voted as one of the most livable cities in South East Asia with glorious mountains surrounding the outskirts of this beach city. My Ke Beach is a star attraction as well as Son Tra Mountain with Lady Buddha standing 220ft tall on the mountain’s edge. 

A cluster of five mountains rises from the earth to the south of the city and is commonly known as Marble Mountain. Each hill represents one of the five elements and on these sacred hills you will find temples dating back hundreds of years. The Cham Kingdom and its people used to rule these lands and attractions like Marble Mountain still honor their legacy. In the city, there is also a Cham Museum displaying relics from this ancient time.

Hoi An

Hoi An is Da Nang’s neighboring town and after a short drive past picturesque rice fields, you reach the Old Town. The iconic yellow timber-frame buildings are a UNESCO World Heritage site and are an exceptional example of a trading port from by-gone eras. This part of Hoi An is believed to date back as far as 2,000 years. 

Bright pink bougainvillea burst out in-between buildings and the streets are packed with pedestrians and cyclists. A big attraction is Cau Chua Pagoda, a Japanese-covered wooden bridge that is over 400 years old. The bridge is so important to the people in fact, that it is printed on their 20,000VND bill.

If you have gotten your historic fix for the day, take a trip to An Bang Beach for a relaxing cocktail on the sand. Remember to head back to the Old Town after sunset as the streets are filled with bright lanterns and wooden boats take you on a trip down the river to release prayer candles. 

My Son Sanctuary

The My Son Ruins have been described as the Angor Wat of Vietnam. It is an ancient Champan site of massive political and religious importance. There are strong Hindu influences and can be seen in the intricate rock formations of the ruins. Massive structures have stood the test of time and these buildings were put together without the use of mortar, bricks were simply carved and laid with immaculate precision. 

These buildings and temples were erected between the 4th and 13th centuries in the mountains outside of Hoi An. The sanctuary is admired for showing how indigenous people adapted to the introduction of external politics and religion. Many of the ruins were damaged during the war times and bomb craters can still be seen strewn across the grounds. 

Hai Van Pass

This is one of the most famous passes in South East Asia. The stretch of 21km winds through evergreen forests and next to the ocean and produces some of the most breathtaking views. Historically the mountains and pass divided the Dai Viet and Champa kingdoms but today it is the passage between Da Nang and Hue. 

Halfway up the pass is the Hai Van Gate, a relic that connected these two kingdoms. The complex took more than 50 years to complete and the stronghold was also an important feature during the Vietnam War. Today it sits on the border of Da Nang city and Thua Thien-Hu and visitors can enjoy some food and drinks after visiting the remains of the structure.

Hue

Hue is Vietnam’s imperial city and was once the home of the Nguyen dynasty. Today millions of visitors head to the citadel with palaces and shrines, a replica of the royal theater and the forbidden purple city where the emperor lived. The Imperial City also has the tallest flagpole in all of Vietnam, a staggering 54m tall. The massive walls and moat are a beautiful reminder of the illustrious history of the country.

Hue has many other valuable sites around the city. The Tombs of the Ancient Emperors celebrate Buddhist legends and feature spectacular tombs and carved stones. The Perfume River flows through the city and there are beautiful promenades from where you can enjoy its sights. You can also take to the water on a traditional dragon boat to get a better vantage point. The Ho Quyen Tiger Fighting Arena is a grim reminder of humankind’s tumultuous past with animals. Visit it as a reminder of where we come from and where we should not return to. 

BONUS TRIP

Cham Island

The Cham Islands is a group of islands off the coast of Hoi An. A speedboat or ferry will take you to the main port of the tiny island. From here you can take fishing boats out to reefs around the island to snorkel around some of Vietnam’s most beautiful underwater treasures. Colorful reefs are teaming with life and you can spend hours snorkeling in these temperate waters. Scuba excursions are also available for underwater enthusiasts. 

The Cham People settled here more than 3,000 years ago and the main island is still very underdeveloped. It is charming and can be explored on foot or by motorbike and visitors love the authentic nature of the island. There is also a museum walking distance from the dock showcasing the marine plants and animals found in these fruitful waters.