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The people of Hoi An are warm, friendly and happy to chat with visitors. We bought oranges from this lady and spoke to the soldiers who were in the town to help with the flood clean up.

Hoi An is a charming old town with narrow streets and restaurants on the river front.

The town has many colourful museums, assembly houses, tailor shops, lantern makers and art shops.

The nice people of Hoi An are the most appealing aspect of the town.

Hoi An farmer harvesting morning glory and the busy ferry arriving at the wharf.

Allan at the 16th Century Japanese Bridge

The Cham civilisation prospered over a thousand years ago and controlled the area now occupied by Cambodia, Laos, Parts of Thailand and parts of Vietnam. The Cham created the great temples at Ankor Wat in Cambodia and a string of towers across Vietnam. This includes the Po Nagar Cham towers in Nha Trang. The archeological site at My Son, 50km west of Hoi An is the most important Cham site in Vietnam. Excavations have found that Cham Kings were buried here as early as the fourth century. It occupies a dramatic and lovely wooded area surrounded by mountains. The site is a UN World Heritage site.  

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The ancient temples have been cleared from the encroacing jungle but still feel mysterious and enticing.

A trip to My Son makes a great day out from a visit to Hoi An.

Beautiful and evocative carvings from My Son are on display at the Cham Museum in Da Nang.

Unfortunately the principle buildings, including a twenty five metre tall tower, were totally destroyed by American B52 bombing in 1968. There are still bomb craters and unexloded ordnance on the site. Pre 1968 photographs of these buildings can be seen in the Cham museum in Da Nang.

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These pictures were taken in Hoi An on 21 November 2007 after the flooding had largely subsided. At its peak the water rose by 2.5 metres flooding the shops and restaurants along the Thu Bon River. When we arrived the mud was being washed out of the houses and off the streets

Carrying ducks to market through the receding flood water.

People returning to normal after the water level falls.

Vietnamese Army soldiers drafted in to clear away mud and debris. Fire department hosing mud off the streets back into the river.