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The timeless architecture of Hội An never fails to captivate visitors. Its 200- to 300-year-old ancient houses, Chinese assembly halls, Japanese pagodas, and bridges... Every visitor to Hội An explores these places. Yet, the vintage allure is crafted from small, dark-tiled roofs nestled closely together, interspersed with weathered golden walls.
- Explore more: Top Attractions in Hội An That Captivate Travelers
Hội An's landmarks are distinctive as no other city today, familiar for its streets embracing people. These weathered walls have stood alongside locals and tourists in the ancient town for centuries.
Ancient, moss-covered, imbued with the hues of time...
Strolling through the ancient streets of Hội An, travelers easily notice walls adorned with the patina of time on the historic architectural structures. From afar, nearly all walls are painted in vibrant hues, casting a nostalgic aura over the ancient quarter. Some walls bear witness to asymmetrical buildings, remnants of the feudal and especially French influences from centuries past.
The architectural structures of Hội An's ancient houses are tube-shaped, narrow at about 5-6m wide but stretching up to 50m in length. Walls facing Bạch Đằng Street alongside the Hoai River mark the end of the characteristic double-front tube houses in Hội An. The wall facing Hoàng Văn Thụ Street—a notable tourist attraction in Hội An—captures the attention of photographers and foreign visitors each time they visit Hội An.
The Hoàng Văn Thụ Wall is considered a 'legendary wall,' bearing witness to numerous past events and representing the quintessential style of the ancient town. Enduring centuries of Central Vietnam's erratic weather, the wall remains stalwart, dignified, and even more 'weathered'—yet, it exudes an air of mystery, wilderness akin to a watercolor painting. Weathered, moss-covered, adorned with delicate edges, it adds aesthetic allure to Hội An. Unassuming and subtly tinted by time, it epitomizes beauty seldom found elsewhere. The wall truly comes to life when one deeply appreciates and cherishes Hội An.
Surely, many, from tourists to locals, never wish for change here. For if change were to come, they'd have nowhere to return, no glimpse of ancient traces, no sight of the beautiful scenery, the serene, profound essence of the old town, or the familiar golden walls. They'd lose the chance to reclaim memories of each visit to Hội An, whether they're locals or occasional visitors.
In another house along Nguyễn Thị Minh Khai Street, a wall is 'painted' green by vines and adorned with a few red flowers, a distinct touch compared to other walls.
Speaking of Hội An's ancient walls, one cannot overlook the paper flower trellises, serving as vibrant accents through time. These paper flowers bloom brightly by day and emit a fragrant aroma at night, embellishing the moss-covered walls, rendering the scenery even more charming and tranquil.
On sunny days, the paper flower shadows cascade gracefully over the yellow walls, enhancing the charm of the ancient town. Meanwhile, on rainy days, the aged yellow walls exude a sense of melancholy, slowly revealing the essence of human life amidst the rain, evoking myriad emotions, nostalgic memories of a centuries-old urban port.
Memories flood back...
Hội An isn't just renowned for its tourist attractions like Kim Bồng carpentry village, Thanh Hà pottery village, or delicious dishes like Cao Lầu and Mỳ Quảng, but it also 'enchants' visitors with its ancient golden walls, covered in moss. With its old architecture, walls adorned with green moss, many visitors are left with unforgettable memories. For those far from their hometowns, memories of playing by the bright yellow walls are always cherished childhood memories they can never forget.
In the corners of streets, at intersections, elderly folks over 80 still lean on the yellow walls of houses to earn a living selling corn tea, noodle soup, or various colorful treats. To attract customers, they blow softly on their bamboo flutes, producing a sound echoing the very breath of Hội An's ancient streets.
Every time they're away from their homeland, people from Quảng province yearn for the old houses with moss-covered walls, the street vendors at intersections like Bạch Đằng, Lê Lợi, or the traditional games in Hội An. Life, scenery, and the demeanor of the people of Hội An are all gentle, tranquil, and profound, mirroring the soul of this district. Every day, people quietly return to Hội An, seeking a peaceful corner of life, away from hustle and bustle, yet deeply serene and gentle with the beautiful, simple scenes. Each traveler's love for Hội An is unique, but surely everyone feels the quiet, peaceful essence of life here.
Give Hội An a try once, wander through its narrow alleys, and you'll encounter a vibrant stretch of golden walls. Remember to capture a photo of those timeless walls; they'll be the highlights of your Hội An travel journey.
Witnesses of history...
Beyond their ancient beauty, the golden walls also bear witness to the hardships of Hội An's inhabitants during every flood season. Each year, this place endures severe floods. Just by looking at these walls, you can sense a part of the locals' lives during the flood season through the annual flood level marks on the walls.
Though silent witnesses, the locals here always cherish these artistic golden walls as they accompany them through life in Hội An. Over centuries, the walls have seen generations come and go, witnessing the continuous development of Hội An as a destination.
At night, these fragments become even more ancient under the glow of lanterns. Somewhere in the narrow alleys, we come across walls tightly embracing each other, leaving only enough space for one person to pass through. Though the vibrant golden walls stand out, they remain fluctuating, discreet, quietly witnessing the simple scenes of Hội An tourist spots at night in the small corners of the streets.
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