Published:  00:00 Saturday - April 15, 2006

Buried in quiet surroundings, with yellow blossoms covering the wooden one-story condominiums looking out over the sea, Palm Garden, in the new Hoi An resort area, is nothing less than idyllic. Surrounding the resort is a palm garden bursting with over 400 palm trees, tilting and swaying over green grass.

A shot 40-minute drive from Danang International Airport, Palm Garden greets guests with a cocktail, a cool towel, and friendly smiles from the moment you drive in.

Elegantly decorated rooms done in a "tropical style" boast a variety of local materials, like silk, pottery, tiles, bricks, and soothing, natural open-air baths. Just a few steps away is a 220-metre shoreline stretching along Cua Dai Beach, over which the sun rises majestically.

Late in the afternoon, guests have the option of a leisurely bike ride from the garden to the ancient streets of Hoi An. This quaint central Vietnam getaway is famous for its beautiful and quickly made silk apparel, sold in stores, with tailors who speak French and English. Visitors may also join a traditional lantern workshop, or order stunning European-style silver jewelry at remarkably low prices.

Sports fans will relish Palm Garden’s beach volleyball, sailing to Cu Lao Cham (Cham Island) to observe the ancient landscape, and diving for a glimpse of underwater ocean life. The rush of the waves beats against the sailboats, lightly spraying passengers along the way.

Boaters may enjoy going up to Au Thuyen, where a major storm in 1989 swept away a number of ships and local residents. In 1990, with assistance from local and Hoi An people, a stone shelter was built for boats to take shelter from violent storms.

Visitors may also enter Hai Tang Pagoda, where Japanese, Chinese, and Vietnamese traders once stopped while passing by Cham Island. They often burned incense at the pagoda, praying for a safe journey, profitable trade, and lots of wood and water for the trip. The pagoda reveals the typical features of Hoi An architecture. Currently, the pagoda still preserves five major treasures, including four old statues and a large copper bell made from gold mixed with copper, said to have been ordered by ghosts. Legend has it that one may become a clever and successful person when placing one’s head inside the bell and ringing it.

Just beyond Hai Tang Pagoda lies a bay beneath rocky mountain cliffs, where red flowers blaze from full trees. Following the white sand, next to Hon Chong (Husband Island) is San Ho (coral) Bay. Swimmers are sure to love the tranquil waters and colourful coral branches beneath the water. Blue starfish, as well as red, yellow, and white coral branches reach upward in the ocean like vibrant sea sculptures.

Back at the quiet Palm Garden, guests may enjoy hanging out at the Contino Bar, where a live Philippino band rocks the night away, or walking along Cua Dai Beach. It is said that Palm Gardens is Hoi An’s new heaven on the beach.