Located on the banks of the poetic Thu Bon River, in central Quang Nam province, 30 kilometers south of Da Nang,Hoi An ancient town is an Eastern oriental classic captivation. Withthe strategic location on the banks of the great river, with oneseaside border (East), it used to be one of the major trading centersin Southeast Asia during the 16^th century due to the early western trader occupying period.

History

Hoi An has been through a few centuriesof history, but still remains as in the very first days of its beingborn. Its two main historical landmarks are the occupying of theJapanese & Chinese, and the Western (Dutch and Spanish) during the16^th and 17^th centuries. During the period of theChina trade, the town was called Hai Pho (Sea Town) in Vietnamese.Originally Hai Pho was a divided town, because across the "JapaneseBridge", it used to be the Japanese settlement (16th-17th century).Then it was known to the French and Spanish as Faifo, a majorinternational port city. Thanks to these days, the foreigncomprehensively possitive and special pastimes and culture had madedeep influences on the today's Hoi An.

Natural conditions

Whoevercoming to Hoi An could not deny that it is favored by nature. Theweather here is typically tropical. Hoi An is comparatively warmespecially during the entire year, and can be classified into two maincategories namely wet and dry seasons. The daily temperature risesbeyond 70^o F reaching mid 60^o F especially during the nighttime. Travellers should really take a journey here and enjoy Hoi An weather!

Culture

Architecture

Cominghere, tourists can see a series of old-architectured lanes and houseswith nearly 100% cristinely left from their initial buildings withmossgrown walls, deeply plain roofs, old furniture in their cristinepast arrangment etc. Hoi An is fortunate to be a cultural crossroads ofthe Cham culture in the very first southward expansion of Dai Viet (theVietnamese nation more than 5 centuries ago encroaching on theIndianized Kingdom of Champa, which covered much of what is now centralVietnam), the Asian (Japanese, Chinese, Indian), and the Western ones during their trading here in the 16^thcentury. These diverse cultural influences remain visible today.Colourful guildhalls, founded by ethnic Chinese from Guangdong andFujian provinces, stand quietly, a testament to the town's tradingroots.
While Hoi An's old-fashioned charm is always visible, onthe 14th of every lunar month modernity takes another step back. Mostpremium oriental and western style of architecture meet together here,making a unique ancient Hoi An, absorbing all tourists who are eagerfor classic beauty! Even you are not classic styled, you still want tosee by yourself how a lively ancient world can cristinely survive inthis new modern and high-tech era!

Festivals

Lanterns

Tourists should not miss some of the great festivals of Hoi An, among which is Full Moon Festival, held on the 14^thof every lunar month, one night before the full moon, when the Old Townbecomes even more festive than usual, active and marvellously decoratedwith colorful lights and lamps along every lane. Another one is theMid-Autumn Festival - held on the 14^th of the August lunarmonth. Last but not least, the "lantern festival", the most enchantingand special one of Hoi An, which is typically demonstrated with allcolorful hanging cloth and paper lanterns on the 15^th ofevery lunar month switched on altogether while all electrical equipmentis off, leaving the Old Quarter bathed in the warm glow of coloredsilk, glass and paper lanterns.. A sparkling, romantic and mysteriousview is opened, stimulating anybody’s curiosity and eye feed!

Religion

The 14^thday of the lunar month is a Buddhist day of worship. Hoi An residentsplace offerings of food and incense on their ancestral altars and visitone of Hoi An's many pagodas. The scent of incense and the sounds ofpeople singing add to the town's enchanted atmosphere. Visitors willget a rare glimpse into another era – the very far away period of ourancestors, and discovering it themselves.

Specialties

HoiAn’s delicacies are plentiful and particularly tasty and cheap. Let’stake an example, one of the most popular one - Cao lầu, a dish of ricenoodles somehow closer in texture to pasta. What is its secret? It isthe water used to make it, being collected from a special well in thecity. The noodles are topped with slices of roast pork, dough fritters,and lots of fresh herbs and veggies. I think you should try one ofthese, or else you will soon regret! Let’s see, you are sitting onstools, eating a bowl of Cao Lau with wooden chopsticks, and sippingthe ice cold "White Coffee with vinamilk"! Oh, this is really aninteresting adventure!

Where to go and What to see?

SinceHoi An is an old Town, its places of interest are of full historicallyclassical meaning and image. Hoi An symbol, the most popular remnant isthe Japanese Covered Bridge (Chua Cau or Lai Vien Kieu), on the westend of Tran Phu Street. The bridge was constructed in the early 1600'sby the Japanese community. Tourists should spend time on visiting QuanCong Temple, Musium of Culture… Many ancient style - orientedarchitects come here to have a direct look into the ancient houses ofthe town, among which are Phung Hung House, just west of the JapaneseBridge, Quan Thang House, or Tan Ky House. The design of the housesshow how local architecture incorporated Japanese and Chineseinfluences. Cantonese Assembly Hall (Quang Dong), has a calm courtyardwith ornate statuary. You could take a peek at the half-hidden backyard and its kitschy pastel dragon statues. Hokien (Fujian) MeetingHall (Phuc Kien) and Chinese All-Community Meeting Hall (Trieu Chau),are also spanning the block. If you are Buddhist, there are a lot ofpagodas to visit. Ong Pagoda, Quan Am Phat Tu Minh Huong Pagoda, etc.are premium places to get in.

Today,Hoi An is also known as a shopping paradise that attracts touriststowards its wonderful souvenirs, handicrafts, antique pieces, silkmaterials and art paintings, and so on.

AHoi An with colorful lanterned nights, a Hoi An with cristinely oldplain houses and special mysterious cultural elements, and a HoiAn withthe Etiquette & culturally hospitable and friendly people arewarmly welcoming you! Are you ready to take a culture discovery journey?