Hoi An Ancient Town is an exceptionally well-preserved example of a South-East Asian trading port dating from the 15th to the 19th century. Its buildings and its street plan reflect the influences, both indigenous and foreign, that have combined to produce this unique heritage site.
The town comprises a well-preserved complex of 1,107 timber frame buildings, with brick or wooden walls, which include architectural monuments, commercial and domestic vernacular structures, notably an open market and a ferry quay, and religious buildings such as pagodas and family cult houses. The houses are tiled and the wooden components are carved with traditional motifs. They are arranged side-by-side in tight, unbroken rows along narrow pedestrian streets.
Hội An is known for its architecture, a mix of eras and styles from wooden Chinese shophouses and temples to colorful French colonial buildings, ornate Vietnamese tube houses and the iconic Japanese Covered Bridge with its pagoda.
In this one-time trading port, the Thu Bon River meanders past crumbling shop houses and weathered pagodas.
Hoi An has an inherent easygoing beauty. Handmade lanterns hang at almost every door; its lantern-lit nights are sparkling.
Hoi An is bursting with tailor shops. Very well known around the world for their tailoring, you won’t struggle to find somewhere to get some custom clothing made.
Technically there isn’t a lot of sightseeing in Hoi An and the surroundings. Hoi An is one of those towns where you will be fine because part of its charm is just slowing down, sitting back, and watching the world go by.
Make sure that you go on the Thu Bon River on a basket boat tour through coconut forests. Traveling by a traditional woven vessel, you’ll soak up the stunning scenery of mangroves and rice paddies, while enjoying the undivded attention of your guide.
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