Cham Artifacts of the Central Coast

Despite nearly 12 centuries of ascendancy over a large swath of what is present-day Vietnam, very few records remain confirming the existence of the Kingdom of Champa. Because this area served as the seat of the Kingdom of Champa from the 2nd to the 15th century, it has the greatest concentration of Cham art and architecture in the country. You can savor the glories of Champa at the excellent Cham Museum in Danang. Exploring the grand remnants of the Imperial City of Hue and the magnificent Imperial Tombs will introduce you to the history of Vietnam's emperors. In Hoi An, the well-preserved houses and pagodas have hardly changed in the last 200 years, giving you a sense of 17th- and 18th-century Vietnamese life. Hoi An's streets are also lined with art galleries, small shops selling all kinds of artifacts, tailors, and small cafés.