Things to see and do Central

Opposite rue Hai Bà Trung, on a pleasant little square, stands the superb Tam Quan gate, or three-entrance gate, leading to an ancient temple complex dating back to 1626. The three entrance gates lead to a large field and two worship areas of the complex dedicated to a patron god, a goddess who brings blessing and security, 36 celestial protectors and 12 midwives. The Bà Mu temple is nicknamed the "temple of the midwife" by the city's inhabitants, who regularly bring their children here in search of blessings.

There's little in the way of interesting merchandise at this market, where the poor-quality products are mainly imported from China and Russia. Nevertheless, it's a must-see for those who like to do a little shopping and discover the life of the locals. The market features around a hundred stalls in all, mainly selling clothes, shoes and souvenirs... In the adjoining streets, stalls serve simple cuisine at low prices: fresh seafood brought in from the sea, grilled meats..

One of Hôi An's most popular tourist activities, expect to see lots of groups! Here, we sail on a coracle, a circular basket boat, along the river through the palm forest. The boatmen love to whirl their craft around, much to the delight of visitors. The villagers are always on the lookout for customers, and don't hesitate to use every trick in the book... Don't give in when you're asked for more money!

This kalan, a Cham temple-tower, is said to have been built in the ^13th century in honor of an ^11th-century Cham king, Po Klong Garai. According to some theories, it is even older... The temple's saddle-shaped roof and two towers are characteristic of the Thap Mam style. In the sanctuary is a mukha linga dedicated to Shiva, a linga with a face. Yet the Cham venerate it as a statue of Po Klong Garai. The Hindu god is featured in a sculpture above the entrance door.

Mount Tà Cu rises to 649 m in a protected natural area. It is home to several sanctuaries, including the Linh Son Truong Tho pagoda (upper pagoda) and the Long Doan pagoda (lower pagoda), founded in the ^19th century. There is also a monumental Reclining Buddha, built between 1962 and 1966. The summit can be reached by cable car or on foot (arrive early in the morning, be in good physical condition and carry a supply of water). Bands of monkeys are happy to accompany visitors. The summit offers a panoramic view of the sea.

Very popular with the Vietnamese, this pagoda was founded in 1958 by the monk Tho Da of the Chinese congregation of Chaozhou and rebuilt in 1989. The pagoda consists of three buildings. The main shrine (Minh Quang Palace) is dedicated to the worship of Buddha surrounded by Quan Âm (Goddess of Mercy) and A Di Da. The statue of Buddha and the two bodhisattvas, made of eagle wood, 4 m high, were shipped from Hong Kong in 1958.

Hô Chi Minh's native village. The museum, built in 1955, is a replica of his childhood home. Very simple, it does not differ in any way from the poor straw huts that we saw, until a few years ago in the surrounding rice fields. An impression of fragility and precariousness that contrasts with the massive mausoleum of Hanoi... 2 km from the village of Sen, one can also visit the tomb of Hoang Thi Loan (1868-1901), the mother of Nguyen Sinh Cung, future president Ho Chi Minh.

The village was founded in the 18th century by Huynh Ba Quat, a craftsman from Thanh Hoa province. In 1990, the municipality banned artisans from sourcing raw materials from the Non Nuoc mountains. Manufacturers are now buying stone from other provinces. Some statuettes are carved by hand, others are obtained by moulding, with agglomerated marble powder. Monumental pieces of monumental dimensions, carved from imported marble, constitute an open-air museum in the Vietnamese taste of today.

On the 12th day of the 5th month in China and Vietnam, the rite of tracing the first furrow was performed. Called Nam Giao (ceremony of sacrifices to Heaven and Earth), it was one of the greatest ritual ceremonies of the Nguyen dynasty, intended to pay homage to Heaven and to pray for peace, happiness and fruitful harvests in the country. Until 1945, the rite was celebrated in Hué, at the Temple of Heaven. The ceremony included a ritual sacrifice, singing and dancing. In 1890, for financial reasons, this celebration became triennial.

The temple was built in 1806, under Gia Long, near the river, in the heart of a pine forest. But as it had to be placed at the top of a hill, it rose on a square platform, made of 3 successive floors. The complex was built on the model of the Temple of Heaven in Beijing. In the centre was a circular mound, itself made of 3 concentric circles corresponding to 3 superimposed enclosures. It was accessed by 4 staircases facing the 4 cardinal points. The main entrance was the southern entrance, as in almost all Chinese-style buildings. The temple, which also served as a war memorial (the new regime has thus recovered this high place of imperial legitimacy), has recently undergone a restoration that some consider unsuccessful. Nowadays, the Nam Giao ceremony, in a simplified version, is reconstituted during the Hue Festival.

The lighthouse stands on a deserted island, covered with frangipani trees. 65 m high, it is the largest and oldest lighthouse in Southeast Asia, built between February 1897 and 1898 on the plans of the architect, Mr. Chenavat. Nearby, Vietnamese workers who died during the construction are buried in a small cemetery. It is possible (depending on the condition of the staircase) to climb the 184 steps that lead to the top from where you have a superb view. The lighthouse is still in use, as a sentinel to watch over the ships going from Phan Rang to Vung Tau.