Hoi An – in the outskirts of Da Nang on the coastline – probably used to be a nice sleepy agricultural community. Today, however, due to the beauty of the beaches and its accessibility, it has become quite a magnet for tourists.
Massive resorts and high rises – both complete and under construction – crowd along the beachfront. And lots of “experiences” give the casual traveler a prettified taste of Vietnamese history and culture.
Bike ride through the rice fields….. including a photo op with a fisherman using a traditional hand-thrown net:
Visit to a workshop fashioning sculpture from driftwood…
Jeep ride….
A stop to taste and learn how to prepare the rich Vietnamese coffee, usually consumed with sweetened condensed milk or coconut cream….
A visit to a vegetable farm, where I helped plant some spinach and the farmer showed off his irrigation technique…
And an exclusive street fair providing typical and tasty bites and beverages.
The nature of this type of trip does not really allow an in-depth appreciation for the places visited, but it is a fun way to sample a bit of its culture. The National Geographic experts who accompany the group are a great source of context and history – and the local guides are enthusiastic and can provide some contemporary perspective.
A fast-paced couple of days… and next we are off to Udaipur in India’s Lake District for an even briefer stay!
Around the World Again 