An Hoi Bridge

If you are looking for the single best spot to watch the sun go down in Hoi An, you are standing on it right now. The An Hoi Bridge, sometimes called the Bridge of Lights, is a pedestrian crossing that connects the Ancient Town on the north bank to An Hoi Island on the south, and it offers one of the most spectacular evening views in all of central Vietnam. The bridge itself is relatively modern compared to the centuries-old structures you have been exploring. But what it lacks in ancient history, it more than makes up for in atmosphere. As the sun drops toward the horizon, the sky above the Thu Bon River turns from blue to gold to deep orange, and the silhouettes of wooden boats, old merchant houses, and swaying palm trees create a scene that looks almost impossibly beautiful. Once darkness falls, the bridge transforms. Strings of colorful LED lights illuminate its railings and arches, turning it into a glowing pathway suspended above the water. Below you, the river catches reflections of lanterns from the riverside restaurants and the floating candles set adrift by visitors making wishes. The effect is dreamlike. An Hoi Island, on the...