Hoi An is a small town in Central Vietnam, on the coast of South China Sea. Located at the estuary of the Thu Bon river, Hoi An was a busy international commercial port in the 16th and 17th centuries. People from Japan, Holland, India and various Chinese provinces settled down here during the same period. Today Hoi An stands as an example of ancient architecture, and was declared a World Heritage by UNESCO for being one of the best preserved ancient Southeast Asian trading ports.
What is so special about Hoi An is that this little port town is in an incredible state of preservation. It offers some of the most densely concentrated sights in Vietnam, with its old streets bordered with ancient houses and assembly halls, with its pagodas, temples, ancient wells and tombs. The architecture of Hoi An is characterized by a harmonious blend of Vietnamese, Chinese and Japanese influences.
After many centuries, Hoi An is still respectful of its traditions, folk festivals, beliefs and sophisticated culinary art. Many of these buildings have been preserved in their original forms, making it easier to imagine the trading town’s former prosperity and glory. The houses are small and colourful, with wooden doors and two round “wooden house’s eyes” above, window shutters and ornamental furniture. All the houses are made of rare wood, decorated with lacquered boards and panels engraved with Chinese characters.
A walking tour is the best way to see the the Japanese-covered Bridge, the wonderful market and the wooden-fronted houses that once belonged to the town’s prosperous merchants.
