Today in Hoi An I walked the little streets of yesteryear's merchants from Japan, China, and Vietnam. About 300 years ago this little town was a major port and merchants from all over came here to trade. The town was little touched during the war, even though it is close to Danang, the American airbase.
The rich merchants' homes still line the small streets and river, glowing burnt yellow in the setting sun, their tiles roofs red green with young moss. Inside the furnishings and interior are dark hard woods with Chinese and Japanese influences.
One of the most famous sites is the Japanese covered bridge, an intricate wooden curved bridge that has a small altar attached.
There are also ancient Chinese Association Halls/Temples where the Chinese Elders met and made decisions for the community. There was one for the Fujian people, the Cantonese people, and a Chinese Association. The "Board" could buy in for as little as $1 and get their names carved into the marble plate on the wall at the entrance.
I guess it is kind of like the Chinese clubs here in Hong Kong! Fujianese and Cantonese do not want to be in the same association/club!
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