Playtimes HK Magazine September 2017 Issue | Page 63

cookery classes – I only hope our sons,
who were fascinated by the processes
and the sheer number of ingredients,
will remember how to put their new skills
to work. With babysitting and child-
friendly activities on offer, there is really
no excuse not to give yourself a little TLC
after a hot, sticky morning of sightseeing.
Escape from the city
After a few days of Hoi An life, it’s well
worth the effort to travel up the coast,
where you can escape town and city life
and surround yourself with some of
central Vietnam’s most enticingly laid-
back scenery. You’ll pass the Marble
Mountains en route, which are worth a
visit with small children who like an
adventure. The cluster of five marble
and limestone hills, named after the five
elements: Kim (metal), Thuy (water), Moc
(wood), Hoa (fire) and Tho (earth), boast
numerous caves and tunnels, and have a
mysterious, Indiana-Jones quality.
Continuing north, you zoom past
built-up, modern Da Nang with its dragon
bridge (it even breathes out fire if you go
past on a weekend evening) skyscrapers
and nondescript hotels, continuing past
snoozing fishermen in rickety round
boats and pho sellers on the side of the
street. Turning inland through the longest
tunnel in south-east Asia (6.28km) you
are suddenly met with jaw-dropping
panoramic views of reflective waters,
deep green mountains and bright blue
skies and, if you’re lucky, you’ll end up at
the Angsanga Lang Co resort.
At this paradise sandwiched between
the Truong Son Mountain Range and
an endless expanse of unspoiled
golden sand and azure blue sea, you’ll
find yourself surrounded by unspoiled,
stunningly beautiful nature. It’s remote
enough to feel like you’re a million miles
from your daily worries – but close
enough to civilisation for you to go on
easy day trips to central Vietnam’s other
two UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
The former imperial capital, Huế boasts
temples, tombs and the Purple Forbidden
City – and a vibe unlike anywhere else
in Vietnam, while the fabulous ruins of
My Son’s Cham Kingdom Sanctuaries
consist of a cluster of abandoned Hindu
temples constructed between the 4th
and the 14th century by the kings of
Champa.
From water sports to arts and crafts,
kids’ club to its incredible 300m long
serpentine pool, Angsana Lang is a
family paradise – with plenty to offer
the grown-ups too. So while one of you
joins the kids for sea kayaking or bungee
trampolining, the other can hop on a
golf cart to sister property, the Banyan
Tree, for a spot of early-morning yoga
or to play a round of golf (the course is
designed by Sir Nick Faldo). The rooms
are top notch and perfect for families,
with many of the suites boasting private
plunge pools. The views of the South
China Sea are breathtaking.
All in all, a week in Vietnam divided
between Hoi An’s urbane and charming
style and Angsana Lang Co’s away-from-
it-all luxury makes for a perfect family
getaway, with something for everyone
from culture-vultures to thrill-seekers.
And after just a week away we
all felt like we’d had a real
and varied adventure.
FAST FACTS
When to go: Though it has
two distinct seasons,Hoi An is
warm all year round, with an
average temperature of 29C
(84F). However, rainfall varies
quite dramatically, and it’s worth
being aware of when the wettest
months are. February to May
enjoys comfortable temperatures
and low humidity, June to August
is when the temperatures are at
their hottest, reaching as
high as 38C (100F) and
September to January
are the wettest months.
Getting there: There are several
flights a day from Hong Kong to
Da Nang. The flight takes 1 hour
50 minutes. Dragon Air, Jet Star,
HK Express all fly there.
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