If you were a sailor between the 15th and 19th centuries, your ship would have crossed seas, calm and stormy, and sailed up the serene Thu Bon river to drop anchor at one of Southeast Asia's leading ports - Hoi An. The first thing you'd notice are the yellow hues. The most weatherbeaten sailor in your crew would show off his knowledge while he waits for a bowl of Pho at a riverside restaurant. Yellow stands for royalty, prosperity, luck - and a lot of other positive associations, he'd explain. That's why every house in the town - be it Japanese, Chinese, French, Dutch, Indian - is painted a bright shade of mustard yellow. Also, yellow absorbs less heat. Perfect to deal with the heat and humidity of the region. The thought springs to your mind - practical solutions can look good too. As a steaming bowl of Pho is placed before you, a mental note is made. Hopefully, you'll visit this place again. And hopefully, the place would still retain its charm. Thankfully, there are times when a wish stands the test of time.
A woman in a traditional Vietnamese dress (Ao Dai) in Hoi An.