 International tourists disembark Costa
Allerga cruise ship in Da Nang. Tourists visit Thanh Ha Ceramic Village
in Hoi An.  Tourists visit Phuc Kien Pagoda and Bridge
Pagoda in Hoi An. Tourists see with their eyes the skillful hands
of embroiders in Hoi An. A foreign visitor in a traditional Vietnamese
conical hat with satisfied smile. |
Watching the cruise ship Costa Allerga of the Costa Crociere Company ( Italy) docking at Da Nang Port raised an unquestionable amount of pride in me. This happens every time I witness people from all over the world, messengers of peace, set foot on my Fatherland.Seeing 800 wide-eyed friendly invaders disembarking the ship I knew this was only the beginning of their elation becauseVietnam has so many interesting and amazing places to entice foreign tourists. After the tourists boarded the 45-seat tourist coaches they were transported to Thanh Ha Ceramic Village near the ancient town ofHoi An, 30km away from the port. This is a traditional ceramic village which has existed for hundreds of years. The villagers manually produce ceramic utensils used in daily life, such as big jars, pots, bricks, tiles, children’s toys, etc. Leaving Thanh Ha Village, the tourists got into boats (each boat carries 10 people) to go along the Thu Bon River to Hoi An. The scene of villages scattered along the river’s banks, with locals carrying on with their daily activities, farming and fishing, is always attractive to foreign visitors. Hinch Ralph and his wife Diane from Britain were first time visitors to Vietnam, upon recommendation of their son who had visitedVietnam a couple of years before. On the way Hinch shot all the scenes and activities with his camera. He said: “I knew about the Vietnam War in the past through the British mass media. I thought only mad people wanted to wage wars. They killed so many innocent people. Regrettably, today there are still bloody wars on earth. I like the scene of the peaceful life of Vietnamese people now and I wish your people an affluent and happy life”. The tour boat passed Hoi An Market which had been a busy port 400-500 years ago. Getting out of the boats the tourists were delighted in seeing the ancient town. They were amazed at the old architectural works bearing the identities of the Vietnamese, Cham and Japanese people from over the past five centuries, which still remain virtually intact. Restaurants, souvenir shops and tailor’s shops are on the rise. Hoi An is renowned for having tailor’s shops with clothes made-to-measure in a short time at a cheap price and with good quality. Customers can have their clothes made according to their old clothes or made to measure according to the catalogue photo with the material available at the shops. A suit can be finished in just four hours. Nguyen Thi Lan, an experience tourist guide said: “The number of tourists coming to Vietnam is increasing. While guiding them I always try to provide them with information of our country. I am glad to see that they love my peaceful and hospitable country”. At noon the tourists had a Vietnamese meal of specialties that only this region can offer. Going along the old streets which were being repaired and restored, they were drenched in sweat due to the heat of a summer day, but their faces were filled with joy of discovery. Many tourists bought a Vietnamese conical hat as a souvenir. Leaving the land, they waved goodbye while saying “See you again”.
Costa Allerga cruise ship carrying 800 international tourists docks at Da Nang Port. | 
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