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Hoi An Ancient Town is one of the most enticing tourist destinations in Central Vietnam and is regarded as one of the most beautiful ancient towns in Southeast Asia. It is a place where it seems like the unwitting flow of time cannot bury...
1 Introduction to Hoi An Ancient Town – World Cultural Heritage
2 Best Time to Visit Hoi An Ancient Town
3 Transportation in Hoi An Ancient Town
4 What Makes Hoi An Ancient Town Special? Must-Visit Places When Traveling to Hoi An Ancient Town
5 Hoi An Specialties, What to Eat in Hoi An?
6 Things to Know When Going to Hoi An Ancient Town
7 Places for Photo Ops Only in Hoi An Ancient Town
8 Frequently Asked Questions When Visiting Hoi An Ancient Town
Hoi An Ancient Town is one of the most attractive tourist destinations in Central Vietnam and is considered one of the most beautiful ancient towns in Southeast Asia. This is where the seemingly accidental flow of time cannot bury the ancient beauty, the ancient atmosphere, and tranquility. The old tiles covered with moss, the streets immersed in the red color of lanterns every night, the horizontally engraved boards elaborately carved by artisans, all seem to take us back to a world of a few hundred years ago. That's just a small part of the simplicity in Hoi An Ancient Town, but it's enough to captivate tourists, making them forget the way back because of the enduring, rustic beauty. Let's explore more about this place through the article below.
Introduction to Hoi An Ancient Town – World Cultural Heritage
History of Hoi An Ancient Town – The Unimaginably Beautiful City
Hoi An Ancient Town – where the quintessence of Vietnamese beauty converges (Source: Internet)
Hoi An Ancient Town was once a bustling commercial port, attracting many merchants from all over to trade. It used to be an important commercial center in Southeast Asia, belonging to the Champa kingdom in the past, and later to Dai Viet.
In the early 17th century, Hoi An was an important stopover on the maritime trade route between Japan, China, India, and European countries. The city flourished and became a center for the production and export of silk, cloth, ceramics, and other agricultural products.
In 1999, Hoi An Ancient Town was recognized by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage and became a fascinating tourist destination in Vietnam. Today, the town still preserves its ancient houses and unique architecture, along with small streets, canals, and ancient bridges, creating a romantic and incredibly poetic atmosphere.
Traditional Architecture
Hoi An Ancient Town is renowned for its traditional architectural beauty, the harmony of its houses, walls, streets, and alleys. Despite the ups and downs of time, the town still retains the ancient beauty with moss-covered roofs, brick walls, and roadside trees. This rustic charm reflects the simple and genuine nature of the local people.
The ancient charm remains intact in the houses and corners of Hoi An (Source: Internet)
The most common type of housing in the ancient town is mainly narrow, two-story tube-shaped structures with a very long depth. Due to the harsh climate conditions here, almost all houses are built from highly durable and load-bearing materials. Each house in Hoi An ensures harmony in color and structure between living space and nature, creating an overall captivating beauty.
The beauty of Hoi An ancient town captured from above (Source: Internet)
The best time to visit Hoi An ancient town
Traveling to Hoi An in spring is extremely fascinating (Source: Internet)
The ideal time to visit Hoi An ancient town is from February to April each year because during this time, the weather is cool with gentle sunlight and minimal rain, making it perfect for tourists to explore and discover the area.
When visiting Hoi An ancient town in the autumn, from September to November, tourists can also participate in the Mid-Autumn Festival with sparkling lanterns and traditional art performances.
Additionally, tourists can also visit Hoi An ancient town in the summer to enjoy the beautiful Cua Dai beach and participate in water sports activities such as surfing and diving. However, the weather in summer in Hoi An can be hot and humid, so you need to prepare essential items for the trip.
Means of transportation in Hoi An ancient town
Getting to Hoi An ancient town
When traveling to Hoi An ancient town, you can choose from various modes of transportation such as buses, private vehicles, trains, and airplanes.
Traveling to Hoi An by airplane (Source: Internet)
Common means of transportation in Hoi An ancient town
Common means of transportation in Hoi An (Source: Internet)
Transportation options in Hoi An are quite diverse and abundant. To easily explore Hoi An ancient town along with neighboring areas, you can:
What makes Hoi An ancient town special? Must-visit places when traveling to Hoi An ancient town
Old houses imbued with the ancient beauty of Vietnam
The simple and ancient beauty of the old houses in Hoi An (Source: Internet)
Hoi An ancient town is one of the famous tourist destinations in Vietnam with many old houses built from the 15th to the 19th century. These old houses are often constructed with bricks, wood, and a mix of Asian-European architectural styles, creating a unique beauty imbued with the ancient charm of Vietnam.
The old houses in Hoi An often feature muted colors, decorated with simple yet elegant patterns. The rooms inside the houses are arranged around small gardens, creating a quiet and cool space.
Admire the beauty of Phung Hung ancient house, Hoi An (Source: Internet)
The house is constructed using mainly wood and precious stones such as ironwood, rafters, jackfruit wood, Thanh Hoa stone, Bat Trang bricks, enhancing its value and beauty.
Explore the over 200-year-old Tan Ky ancient house in Hoi An (Source: Internet)
Upon entering this house, the first prominent feature that visitors notice is the two words 'Duc An,' meaning 'maintain morality for peace.' This was also the name of the bookstore founded by the third-generation ancestor at the end of the 19th century. It is known as the unique bookstore specializing in Han Nom books and stationery in Quang Nam province at that time.
The unique ancient architecture of the Duc An ancient house (Source: Internet)
The Japanese Covered Bridge – A historical landmark exuding the serene beauty of Hoi An's ancient town
The Japanese Covered Bridge – A distinctive symbol of Hoi An (Source: Internet)
Known as the Japanese Bridge due to its architectural style bearing strong Japanese influences, this structure is constructed from wood on stone pillars with a width of 3m and a length of 18m. The roof of the bridge is tiled in Yin and Yang pattern, and above the main entrance hangs a large plaque inscribed with three Chinese characters 'Lai – Viễn – Kiều'. This serves as evidence of an era of architectural exchange between Vietnam, China, and Japan, as reflected in the intricate and sophisticated design elements of East Asia.
In 1990, the Japanese Covered Bridge was recognized as a National Historical and Cultural Monument, and its image also appears on the current 20,000 Vietnamese dong polymer banknote.
The Japanese Covered Bridge was recognized as a National Historical and Cultural Monument in 1990, and its image is currently featured on the 20,000 Vietnamese dong polymer banknote.
Image of the Japanese Covered Bridge on Vietnamese polymer banknote (Source: Internet)
Phuc Kien Assembly Hall
Phuc Kien Assembly Hall – a unique architectural gem in the heart of Hoi An (Source: Internet)
An overview of the architecture of Phuc Kien Assembly Hall reveals many unique features, imbued with Chinese characteristics by intricate decorative motifs. Visitors here can admire the historical and cultural relics of the ancient town and participate in the Ba Thien Hau ritual to pray for blessings for their families.
The assembly hall is constructed in the shape of the Chinese character 'Tam,' arranged sequentially as gate, courtyard, miniature landscape, and two rows of east-west houses, main facade, rear courtyard, and rear facade. The Tam Quan gate is covered with yin-yang tiles with a gracefully curved roof bearing the marks of time.
Tan Ky Ancient House
Tan Ky Ancient House offers impressive discoveries for visitors (Source: Internet)
Tan Ky Ancient House is located at 101 Nguyen Thai Hoc Street, Hoi An Ancient Town, Quang Nam Province, about 200m north of the Japanese Bridge. It is one of the attractions for tourists when visiting Hoi An Ancient Town to learn about the traditional architecture of the Vietnamese people and experience the unique culture of the locality. This is one of the famous historical architectural works in Hoi An Ancient Town, Vietnam, built in the 18th century, belonging to the traditional ancient houses of the Vietnamese, well preserved and restored, bearing the distinctive architectural and cultural features of the locality.
The house features a spacious front courtyard, living rooms, and bedrooms designed to be spacious and airy, adorned with characteristic sculptures and patterns of the region. Additionally, the ancient house also has a small backyard with lush greenery.
Hoi An specialties, what to eat in Hoi An?
Hoi An Ancient Town not only attracts tourists with its ancient architecture, serene beauty with ancient imprints but also captivates many visitors with its unique and unparalleled cuisine.
Hoi An chicken rice
Hoi An chicken rice – the pride of Quang cuisine (Source: Internet)
Hoi An chicken rice offers a unique flavor that perhaps cannot be matched anywhere else. Delicious, sticky rice paired with shredded free-range chicken, onions, herbs, pickled papaya, along with a flavorful soup on the side, makes the dish even more enticing.
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Rice paper cracker with baby clams
Rice paper cracker is made from fragrant sticky rice, baked to crisp perfection; baby clams stir-fried with rich flavor, combined together is one of the most beloved dishes in Hoi An. A layer of moist rice paper alternated with a layer of crispy baked rice paper, topped with savory baby clams, all harmonized with a dipping sauce of sweet, spicy, and fragrant fish sauce, truly irresistible. Price range for this dish varies from: 15,000 - 50,000 VND.
Rice paper cracker with baby clams in Hoi An (Source: Internet)
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Sizzling pancake in Hoi An
Sizzling pancake in Hoi An is definitely a dish that travelers should not miss when exploring the cuisine of Quang Nam province while visiting the ancient town of Hoi An. With its delicious aroma and irresistible flavor, these piping hot pancakes will surely captivate even the most discerning diners when they taste this dish for the first time.
Sizzling pancake in Hoi An (Source: Internet)
Great dining spots:
Savory steamed rice cakes in Hoi An
Savory steamed rice cakes in Hoi An are a popular local delicacy that captivates the hearts of many food enthusiasts. Made from soft and smooth rice flour, combined with familiar fillings such as minced pork, shrimp, scallions, and crispy shallots, all soaked in sweet and sour fish sauce, this dish offers an irresistibly delicious experience that you won't forget.
Savory steamed rice cakes in Hoi An (Source: Internet)
Great dining spots:
Corn sweet soup - Delicious snack in Hoi An
Corn sweet soup is a popular rustic dish with a naturally sweet aroma from famous Cam Nam corn in Hoi. Unlike corn sweet soup in the South, Hoi An's version is only drizzled with coconut water when served to enhance its sweetness, thus preserving its original flavor.
Corn sweet soup in Hoi An - A highly renowned dish in Hoi An (Source: Internet)
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Tips for visiting Hoi An ancient town you must know
To make your trip to Hoi An ancient town smoother and more convenient, let's pocket some tips and experiences below:
The only place for perfect photo ops is Hoi An ancient town
Lantern street - A specialty of Hoi An ancient town
Lanterns are hung in many places in Hoi An ancient town (Source: Internet)
Lantern Street is a must-visit tourist destination in Hoi An ancient town, located at 87 Tran Hung Dao, Quang Nam province. With a large ancient town space, Lantern Street is beautifully decorated with thousands of colorful lanterns in various sizes, creating a very beautiful and mystical scenery.
Especially when visiting Lantern Street on a full moon night, tourists can admire thousands of lanterns on the small street and participate in cultural and traditional activities such as lion dance, folk games, immersing themselves in the lively atmosphere of the festival. When traveling during this time, you will surely be amazed by the bright red, yellow, and green lights spreading across the small streets. And this is also the perfect time for tourists to take memorable check-in photos to capture this magical moment.
Hoi An Lantern Street - an unmissable check-in spot (Source: Internet)
Additionally, if you don't make it to visit Hoi An Lantern Street during festival times, you can still check-in at Lantern Street during the day, which is also wonderful.
Releasing flower lanterns and boating on the Hoai River
Releasing flower lanterns on the Hoai River is mesmerizing (Source: Internet)
Releasing flower lanterns is one of the most mystical night activities in Hoi An, organized since 1998, attracting many tourists from both domestic and international locations to participate in releasing lanterns. The festival not only brings memorable experiences for tourists but also helps them understand more about the beautiful life and people of Hoi An ancient town.
Every night, hundreds of thousands of flower lanterns are lit up by the golden candlelight, becoming extremely sparkling. These simple lanterns, although not made from luxurious materials, are crafted by the hands of ancient town artisans, exuding a strong traditional charm from their colors, patterns, to their simple and rustic designs.
Traditional folk games - The beauty that Hoi An ancient town always preserves
Traditional folk games in the ancient town area (Source: Internet)
Bai Choi
Bai Choi in Hoi An - a long-standing folk art form in the ancient town (Source: Internet)
Bai Choi is a cultural performance activity that takes place every night near the Japanese Covered Bridge or in the adjacent area along the Hoai River in Hoi An, on Nguyen Phuc Chu Street. The game attracts many tourists with its captivating, smooth singing voices and enthusiastic calls from the announcers, accompanied by graceful hand and foot gestures.
Blindfolded Pot Smashing
Blindfolded Pot Smashing game in Hoi An (Source: Internet)
Blindfolded Pot Smashing is a famous folk game in Hoi An that always excites players whenever they participate. At first glance, the game may seem quite simple, but when players are blindfolded and then tasked with smashing a clay pot with a stick, over 90% of them will fail because they veer off course, hitting the empty space, or they hit too lightly, causing the pot not to break.
Human Chess - a unique folk game
Human Chess in Hoi An (Source: Internet)
Human Chess is a performance art form imbued with national identity and is usually organized on summer festivals or during Tet holidays. The game is played with two teams, with each member representing chess pieces in Chinese Chess. Team members are only allowed to move when the opponent makes a corresponding move or can leave the field if that chess piece is captured.
Frequently Asked Questions When Visiting Hoi An Ancient Town
- What Does Hoi An Ancient Town Offer at Night?
Here are 10 night experiences you can explore in Hoi An:
Admiring lanterns at night.
Boat ride on the Hoai River.
Releasing floating lanterns.
Visiting the Ancient Bridge Temple.
Exploring Hoi An Night Market.
Participating in folk games.
Enjoying Hoi An cuisine.
Night snacks in Hoi An.
- 2. Where to Capture Stunning Photos in Hoi An Ancient Town?
Some beautiful photo spots for tourists include:
Japanese Covered Bridge.
Mossy wall on Hoang Van Thu street.
Paper flower houses.
Hoai Riverbank.
Phuc Kien Assembly Hall.
Check-in at Hoi An Lantern Street.
Small alleys in the ancient town.
Le Nghia Basketball Court.
- What Historical Sites are in Hoi An Ancient Town?
Some historical sites in Hoi An Ancient Town are:
Quan Thang Ancient House.
Japanese Covered Bridge.
Ong Pagoda Hoi An.
Van Thanh Memorial Shrine.
Earth God Shrine.
Tomb of Madam Thu Phi of the Tay Son Dynasty.
Son Pho Communal House.
Hy Hoa Communal House.
Hoi An Ancient Town always exudes a unique charm in every corner, with green tree shades, and small alleys on familiar streets that make tourists unforgettable every time they leave. When they come here, they can feel the warmth in the friendly treatment of the people, from the friendly smiles to the beloved dishes. Walking around on each small street, it seems like you find yourself in the old days, a beautiful chain of childhood memories on this somewhat strange but extremely beloved land.
Don't forget to explore more new articles every day about our travel experiences.
Author: Do Hue
Keywords: Review of Hoi An Ancient Town - Exploring the Journey of Discovering Asian Cultural Heritage
