Chuck Kuhn's Asia in Photos: Hoi An readies for festival

Thursday, May 7, 2009

Hoi An readies for festival

The 2009 Quang Nam – Heritage Journey is planned to open June 4, with a vintage vehicle parade taking centre stage, the festival’s committee announced recently.
The four-day festival will take place at Song Hoai Square, Hoi An Ancient Town. The festival will feature Hoi An arts at “Hoa si va pho co Hoi An” (Painters and Hoi An ancient town) and a photo exhibition. The Hoi An Museum of History and Culture will also celebrate the festival with two exhibitions, one to present Chu Dau pottery (a Vietnamese traditional handmade pottery and a photo exhibit), and “Thang canh Hoi An” (Hoi An landscape). The festival will open with a contest, “Skillful waiters,” and a folk culture gala at the An Hoi Sculpture Park. The next day will see the vintage vehicles parade.
This year, the parade includes mobylettes, vespas and vintage cars from the 30s and 70s. The parade, including Miss World 2008 Ksenia Sukhinova, will start from the Palm Garden Resort Hoi An and later visit Phuoc Kieu trade village, the venue for the annual boat race and the Dien Ban food and drinks fair. In the early evening, the vintage vehicles will stop at the Vuon Tuong Park for an awards ceremony. Two prizes will be offered, including “The most impressive vehicle” and “The most original vehicle.” On the same evening, ethnic groups from Vietnam and overseas will present traditional songs and dances around Hoi An Ancient Town and Song Hoai Square. The closing events on June 6, “Khat vong Thu Bon” (Thu Bon River’s aspiration), and the Hoi An Legendary Night are two of the festival’s highlights. The last day will celebrate the fishing village festival at Cua Dai Beach with variety of mini events, such as a knitting fish nets contest, a beach soccer tournament, art kite contest, a food market and many traditional beach games. The Quang Nam – Heritage Journey has been held annually since 2006, with an aim to introduce the beauty of both the landscape and the culture of Hoi An Ancient Town and Vietnam to foreign tourists.

VietNamNet/SGGP

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They say "

“I can’t say what made me fall in love with Vietnam - that a woman’s voice can drug you; that everything is so intense. The colors, the taste, even the rain. Nothing like the filthy rain in London. They say whatever you’re looking for, you will find here. They say you come to Vietnam and you understand a lot in a few minutes, but the rest has got to be lived. The smell: that’s the first thing that hits you, promising everything in exchange for your soul. And the heat. Your shirt is straightaway a rag. You can hardly remember your name, or what you came to escape from. But at night, there’s a breeze. The river is beautiful. You could be forgiven for thinking there was no war; that the gunshots were fireworks; that only pleasure matters. A pipe of opium, or the touch of a girl who might tell you she loves you. And then, something happens, as you knew it would. And nothing can ever be the same again.”
― Graham Greene, The Quiet American

Tips on Travel to Vietnam

It's always warm in Southeast Asia apart from high mountains, so leave the heavy clothing at home. Cotton and breathable fabrics are always better than synthetics -- although cotton does wrinkle a lot when traveling! December through April is roughly the dry season in that region, although it can still rain a little. December is a good time to go in terms of temperature -- cooler than in the humid summertime. Either way, wearing more clothing (shirt sleeves and long pants) is always more respectful towards the Asian culture, especially when visiting temples and rural areas.