Little girl with doll in Hoi An by Silva Wischeropp

This analogue image was taken with the Nikon FE 2 and 35mm film (Kodak Color - 100 Iso) in 2000. The little girl was standing alone with this huge doll at the roadside in the picturesque, enchanting town of Hoi An in Vietnam.
This seemingly picturesque portrait was taken during my 3-month photo trip through Vietnam.
Due to the open harbour and trade from ancient times, the Chinese influence is also visible in the architecture.
Many of these houses are under Unesco protection and may not be rebuilt or modernised in order to preserve the old cultural heritage. Probably the most picturesque and charming town in Vietnam is Hoi An. Compared to Hanoi, it is one of the smaller cities, but should not be missed on any trip to Vietnam. It is well protected at the mouth of the Song Thu Bon River about 30 kilometres inland on the China Sea. The city was once the largest harbour in Southeast Asia, mainly due to its location on the Silk Road. The first traces of settlement in Hoi An date back to the 4th century. During the 16th century, the harbour was further expanded under the Nguyen rulers, making it an attractive international trading centre. The individual sights of Hoi An can be easily explored on a walk. The old town is a relaxing place to stroll through, with restaurants and small shops everywhere in the old buildings, which blend almost inconspicuously into the historic cityscape. Hoi An's old town was the only one to remain intact during the Vietnam War. This picturesque ensemble of historically valuable buildings has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1999.
The old residential buildings, halls, trading houses and a few museums are particularly worth seeing. This fairy-tale view of the city is perfect for hanging in a wide variety of living and working spaces and lends a graceful, Asian, meditative atmosphere.