"My Son A UNESCO World Heritage site in a mountain valley about 40 miles west of Da Nang, My Son is a vestige of the Champa kingdom, a culture that was heavily shaped by Hindu beliefs and practices. Built between the 4th and 14th centuries, the temples pay homage to the god Shiva, though the deity is often referred to here by different names. While some of the shrines are partially restored, and others overgrown with greenery or showing their age (many were destroyed by American bombing during the Vietnam War), the sheer scope of the ruins are proof of the reach of Hinduism and the lofty ambitions of the Cham kings."

"A Chilling Reminder of War's Senseless Horror Close to Hoi An, tranquil Son My (My Lai) was the setting for one of the most horrific crimes of the American War when US troops killed at least 504 villagers in an orgy of violence. The Son My memorial -- a dramatic stone sculpture of an elderly woman holding up her fist in defiance -- is a poignant tribute to the innocents that died."

"Hole up With a Good Book Choice reading material is prerequisite for monsoon season in Hoi An and Danang. The best place in the area to stock up on books is Randy's Book Exchange, which has thousands of second-hand titles."

"Memories of a Kingdom Central Vietnam was once the seat of the Kingdom of Champa, which held sway over the area for over 1000 years before being absorbed and annexed by the Vietnamese state in 1832. This fine museum has the world's largest collection of Cham artefacts and is a must visit for anyone with a wider interest in the heritage of the area."

"China In Your Hands Chinese influence is strong in Hoi An, a legacy of its trading past. Many of its temples and pagodas served as assembly halls for the various Chinese communities that once settled here. The most distinctive is the colourful Cantonese Assembly Hall with its ornate dragons, stone pillars and terracotta chairs."

"Some Military History Danang has a strong association with the American War. It was here that US troops first landed, it had a major US airbase and it was a designated R&R spot for US troops. It is fitting then that the city is home to one of Vietnam's more interesting and comprehensive war museums. The museum is split into four sections including an outdoor display of military equipment, a military museum, a reproduction of Ho Chi Minh's house and a Ho Chi Minh Museum."

"Hoi An and the Wider World Hoi An's strategic position at the heart of the Champa Kingdom made it one of the most important trading hub in the region for centuries. This legacy of dealings with the outside world can be witnessed vividly at the Hoi An Museum of Trading Ceramics, which showcases the town's time as a centre of trade in Japanese, Chinese and Vietnamese ceramics."