A traveller’s guide to visiting Hoi An, Vietnam
Are you planning a Vietnam travel this summer? Looking for an R&R at one of the most laidback, yet charming towns in Central Vietnam? Then, get going and apply for your visa. Check out with the leading visa service firm in Vietnam to learn more about the visa application process. While a Vietnam holiday can pack in diverse travel itineraries, from adventure activities to historical and cultural tours; visa certainly takes centre stage in Vietnam.
You can tie-up your Ho An visit to Da Nang, as Hoi An is less than an hour’s drive from Da Nang. Plan your Hoi An travel at the time of the Full-Moon Festival, held on the fourteenth day of every lunar calendar. The town comes to a standstill, with traditional programs and festivities taking over.
Hoi An is an ancient heritage port-city dating back to the 15th century. It was once a thriving trading confluence between China and India. Subsequent influences of Japanese and European cultures, have rendered this town a melting pot of cultures, distinctive architectural styles and cuisine.
Hoi An –The UNESCO Heritage site in Central Vietnam
Hoi An is a traditional seaport located in Vietnam’s central Quang Nam Province, near the mouth of the Thu Bon River. The sea town truly reflects the glorious maritime heritage of Vietnam. As the words “Hoi An” suggest, this port was once the "peaceful meeting place” of seafarers and traders trading in silk and spices along the sea route. The town has witnessed centuries of Chinese, Japanese and European influences; visible in the carefully preserved architecture and ethos of the town. As a remarkable heritage site, Hoi An is a unique blend of indigenous and foreign cultures, that has evolved to embrace tourism while retaining its authentic flavour.
When to go
Hoi An lies in the central coast, and is dry and sunny from February to July. October is usually the time of riverside flooding. February and April, are popular tourist months when rainfall is low and temperatures mild.
What to see
What Hoi An lacks in the high-octane attractions of other Vietnam locations, it makes up with its historical setting and traditional structures that are a throwback to a rich heritage.
Some of the Chinese merchant homes of Hoi An are centuries old, with wooden facades and glazed roof tiles decorated with dragons. The town’s old-world charm springs to life in the evenings, when all houses and shops dangle lanterns at their frontage. The silted river may have stopped sea trading activity for long, but the town now teems with tourists who venture into central Vietnam for this quaint historic site.
The Tan Ky House is a must-visit for beautiful, period architecture with Japanese and Chinese designs. The Phung Hung Old House is another historic building withdelicate \ wall hangings, embroidery and lanterns. The Assembly Hall of the Fujian Chinese Congregation islike a fertility temple for the worshippers. TheAssembly Hall of the Hainan Chinese Congregation is a former congregation hall of seafaring merchants, with beautiful ornate gilded wood carving showcasing early Chinese court life.
Hoi An has plenty of museums that feature on every traveller itinerary. They are unique, as they offer a window into the ancient history of Vietnam, its early settlements; as well as the interactions of Hoi An with other countries in the medieval period. The Museum of History and Culture houses original relics from the historical dynasties of Vietnam. The Hoi An Folklore Museum contains artefacts that showcase the culture and life of communities indigenous to Hoi An region. The Museum of Trade is an amazing storehouse of period items of Persia, China, Thailand, India and other countries with which Vietnam once carried a flourishing trade. The Museum of Sa Huynh Culture displays artefacts from the Sa Huynh people, the original settlers of Hoi An site more than 2000 years ago. The Precious Heritage Museum exhibits photographs and art works collected by Réhahn, the famous French travel photographer who settled at Hoi An in 2011.
The wooden Japanese Bridge at Hoi An is its iconic landmark. It dates back to the 18th century, and has a pagoda with typical Japanese ornamental designs. The entrances are flanked by a pair of monkeys and a pair of dogs, with various stories themed around the Chinese year of the monkey and the dog.
There are other places to go from Hoi An. You can take the winding roads to the Cua Dai Beach or the sampan boat to an island on the Thu Bon River. Much different from your usual river cruise, these Chinese boat tours are more traditional ways to travel to the estuarine islands and outlying craft villages.
What to do
River activities - The Thu Bon River provides plenty of activities and sight-seeing opportunities. From kayaking to boat tours and motorboat rides; navigate the river to witness the local culture, visit farming communities and soak in the scenic riverfront views.
Sample local cuisine - The local cuisine is an amazing fusion of cultural influences. Discover the pleasure of street barbeques at cheap prices, try platters of the local bun đau mam tom, or take a culinary class to learn how to cook the local cao lau, a typical signature dish of Hoi An.
Relax at any of the riverfront bars with ice-cold brews of the bia hoi, and watch boats sailing past in a laid back historical setting,
Go shopping - Carry home a Vietnamese lantern or a bespoke suit. Hoi An has plenty of tailor shops that will fit you out in custom-made clothes in no time. Visit the Hoi An Night Market for handicrafts and other takeaways. Sample street food like the banh xeo and banh mi, or hop over to a restaurant in the neighbourhood.