Discover Central Vietnam

PHOTOGRAPHS BY PHOONSAB THEVONGSA / AARON JOEL SANTOS / CHRISTIAN BERG TEXT BY JASON ROLAN

At the end of March, Lao Airlines inaugurates flights between Vientiane and Danang, the hub of Central Vietnam. Beyond Danang’s stunning beaches, this area is also culturally fascinating and diverse enough to warrant deeper exploration around the area, as well as to the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Hoi An to the south and the former royal capital of Hue to the north. From a weekend excursion to a week’s stay, Central Vietnam ticks all of the boxes, as it has something for everyone.

1

DANANG

Wedged between a long sandy beach and the Annamite Mountains, and blessed with a deep port, Danang has become the largest city in Central Vietnam. It was settled long ago by the Cham people who left behind great stone monuments. Later, French, Portuguese, and Spanish traders frequented the port of Danang in their quest for trade and colonies. More recently, the area gained fame as a rest and recreation area during the Indochina War, which has helped make it the leisure destination it is today.

2

1. The Linh Ung Pagoda sits on a hilly slope overlooking the Bay of Danang and is the largest pagoda in Central Vietnam. It was built where a Buddha statue was miraculously found. 2. One of the beautiful beaches of Danang. These are very popular getaways for local and foreign tourists alike. 3. The huge 67-meter Lady Buddha statue at Linh Ung Pagoda. There are 17 fl oors inside the statue with altars for worship on each one. 4. A cool 1500 meters above sea level, Ba Na Hill Station was founded by French colonists as a way to escape the summer heat. It has since become a popular tourist spot with cable cars and this new Instagrammable feature: the Golden Bridge.

4

It is easy to fall in love with the photogenic charms of this UNESCO protected town. The Old Quarter of the town dates from the 16th and 17th centuries when Portuguese, Dutch, Japanese, Chinese, and Indian powers set up trading posts here. Once Vietnam became French Indochina, the trading center moved to Danang and Hoi An was largely forgotten - which helped retain its incredible architectural heritage! 45

2

1. The yellow ocher buildings of the downtown area of Hoi An are a joy to explore. The winding streets and alleyways are full of surprising beauty. 2. The famous Japanese Bridge crosses a small canal in Hoi An. In the center of the bridge is a small Buddhist shrine.

1. One of the beautiful gates guarding the entrance of the Imperial Palace. 2. Outside of town is a fabulous complex of elaborate burial sites for the royal family. This is the gate to one of the ornate tombs. 3. The Hall of Supreme Harmony holds the ceremonial throne used in the coronation of the emperor. 4. In Hue’s Perfume River, boats decorated like dragons off er tours and dinner shows for tourists visiting this charming city.

HUE

The former capital of the Emperors of Vietnam, Hue still maintains a lot of its royal aura. The centerpiece of town is the large walled Citadel ringed by a moat, which houses the Imperial Palace and the Purple Forbidden City. In the vicinity are also pagodas, museums, and traditional artisans carrying on their unique heritage.

4