Travel Article of Vietnam (Aug. 2000)　・・・　2/4

2. Hoi An and My Son

〔 Saigon → Da Nang → Hoi An 〕

One of Cham sculptures

I planed to fly to Hue, but airplanes to Hue were full. So I would fly to Da Nang, then I would go to Hue. I arrived Hue at 3 pm, then I went to Da Nang station by taxi. But there were only 2 trains to go to Hue departing at 6:15 and 14:20. Any guide books didn't mention this time table. Besides, we were not able to buy any tickets in advance. Tickets would be sold 1 or 2 hours before the train departs. A taxi driver I caught at the airport said "There is nothing to see in Da Nang. No tourists came and Cafes were closed. I don't know what time buses depart." I didn't know if it was true or not. Finaly I decided to go to Hoi An by this taxi.
But I asked him to take me to the Museum of Cham Sculpture. He agreed and he said it was worth the visit. ここはチャンパのとても魅力的で素晴らしい彫刻品が展示されているが、なんと吹きさらしの空間に展示されている。しかも海が近いので潮風のはずだが。
この運転手は英語が非常にうまく、話が弾んだ。ホイアンはとてもいいところだという。約１時間ぐらい走ってホイアン着。安いホテルを探したが満室。３件目のホテルで空きがあり、ここに決めた。CUA DAI HOTEL といい、１泊US$18と高いが部屋は豪華で朝食付き。

〔 Cham Ruins in My Son 〕
翌日は、カフェのツアーに参加し、チャンパ王国の聖地だったミーソン遺跡へ。ホイアンから車で約１時間。山で囲まれた盆地に、この聖地はある。草が生い茂る中に、いくつかの廃墟がある。ベトナム戦争中は北ベトナム軍が拠点をおき、米軍はここを爆撃し遺跡群は破壊された。爆弾の跡と思われるくぼみもいくつある。地雷もまだ完全には撤去されていないという。見学コースを外れなければ大丈夫だが・・・。

Champa Ruins ( Please click photos. )

〔 Hoi An 〕
Hoi An is a small town, so we could walk and see there. There are many Chainese stayle houses. The atmosphere of Hoi An is different from other cities.