A new series, Encircled will be featuring photo-journals of

our staff’s most inspiring and awing adventures.

 

 

Hội An Ancient Town, Vietnam

Hi there, my name’s Kendra and I’m the Customer Experience Coordinator here at Encircled. In mid-2015 I travelled through Southeast Asia for nearly three months and spent roughly three weeks travelling along the coast of Vietnam. This week, I’m going to share with you one of my favourite cities that I got to experience while travelling: Hoi An.

Also known as Old Town Hoi An, this colourful city is located in Vietnam’s Quảng Nam Province, in between Nha Trang and Hué. My friend and I had just spent five fast days exploring Hồ Chí Minh City and Mũi Né before taking a quick 14hr trip to Hoi An and we were excited to slow down. While there, we cycled, napped and ate our way around the historic city. Once a bustling trading post, Ancient Town has largely remained unchanged from its past infrastructure. Rich in colour, French and Chinese influenced architecture, and lantern lit streets, this city has remained one of my favourites.

ANCIENT TOWN IN THE MORNING

He was taking his time, slowly placing ceramics and pottery outside on the steps. I liked how this was juxtaposed by the speed of the man on the scooter. Sometimes we move faster than we need to. 

 

PAUSED AT THE CORNER, WAITING FOR SCOOTERS TO PASS.

This scene captures some of Hoi An's history - a French-inspired building behind Vietnamese lanterns. 

 

HANDMADE CERAMICS PERCHED AND PRECARIOUSLY PILED.

Hoi An was known for its pottery, and it was once one of their primary exports. I stared a while and wondered if they left them there or hid them away at night. 

 

A PRETTY PLACE TO SEEK SHADE

I was very taken with the patina of their yellow and blue homes. Paired with the modernity of the parked scooter, this scene felt like a gigantic anachronism. 

 

LANTERN FILLED STREETS

This corner was particularly bountiful with foliage and sparse with people. Everyone was hiding from the sun. 

 

 

There it is. I hope you enjoyed perusing through these photos, and Hoi An, with me - I know I enjoyed revisiting them.

 

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