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Hoi An is an ancient town in Vietnam, situated at the downstream of the Thu Bon River, in the coastal plain of Quang Nam province, approximately 30km south of Da Nang city.
Hoi An has been known internationally by various names such as Lam Ap, Faifo, Hoai Pho, and Hoi An.
As the only traditional Southeast Asian port in Vietnam, rarely found elsewhere globally, Hoi An preserves over a thousand architectural relics like streets, houses, assembly halls, shrines, pagodas, temples, ancestral homes, ancient wells, and tombs. The architecture reflects both the traditional artistic nuances of Vietnam and cultural exchanges with the East and West. Throughout centuries, customs, cultural activities, rituals, and traditional dishes have been preserved, passed down through generations in the ancient town. Hoi An also boasts a pristine natural environment with charming suburban villages specializing in traditional crafts such as carpentry, metalworking, and pottery.
Ancient Architecture of Hoi An
Researchers believe that most of the ancient architecture in Hoi An was reconstructed in the early 19th century, although the origins may date back much further. The ancient architecture is most evident in the Old Town area, covering an area of about 2km², predominantly hosting famous landmarks in Hoi An. The streets in the Old Town are short, narrow, winding, resembling a chessboard pattern. The terrain of the Old Town slopes from north to south. Architectural structures in the Old Town are mostly built with traditional materials: bricks, wood, and no more than two stories high. Visitors can easily spot the traces of time not only in the architectural styles of each structure but also throughout the area: on moss-covered tiled roofs and grass-covered walls, on grey, moldy walls, and on carvings depicting strange animals or ancient stories. This place has undoubtedly attracted skilled artisans in carpentry, bamboo, and ceramics from the Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese, and Cham communities, leaving a diverse and rich cultural imprint of many ethnicities in each structure that remains today.
The Cultural Tapestry of Hoi An
For centuries, Hoi An has been a melting pot of diverse cultures from around the world. Alongside the indigenous customs of the Vietnamese people, there are unique rituals brought by foreign settlers, such as stone worship, the worship of Lord Whale by the coastal residents of Central Vietnam, and the reverence for natural phenomena like rain, wind, thunder, lightning, and sacred entities like ancient trees.
The Chinese community in Hoi An venerates deities such as Thien Hau, Quan Cong, Bao Sinh Dai De, and Quan Am Bodhisattva. They regularly organize festivals and cultural activities on divine days like the Lantern Festival (16th day of the first lunar month), Qingming Festival (March in the lunar calendar), Duanwu Festival (5th day of the 5th lunar month), Mid-Autumn Festival (15th day of the 8th lunar month), Double Ninth Festival (9th day of the 9th lunar month), and the Winter Solstice (15th day of the 10th lunar month).
This socio-cultural diversity adds a unique charm to the local community in Hoi An.
The people of Hoi An, deeply rooted in cultural traditions, have long engaged with the outside world, shaping a distinctive cultural identity that has been preserved through generations. Life here leans towards introspection, exuding a tranquil essence. Urban Hoi An is like an ancient, venerable home where a large family, with amiable and hospitable residents, coexists. The caring and friendly heads of households, gentle and skillful women, and well-behaved, respectful children create a harmonious community that has peacefully thrived through generations.
The richness and diversity of the soulful and culturally unique Hoi An are also reflected in traditional dishes such as Cao Lau, Hoanh Thanh, Banh To, Banh It Gai, passed down through generations for today's global gourmets to savor. Despite the changes over the years, the people of Hoi An have not lost their familiar tunes, the cultural festivals that have existed since ancient times, all of which are cherished and preserved. A monthly cultural night is organized on the 14th day of the lunar month, providing visitors from all over the chance to immerse themselves in the deeply traditional atmosphere of Hoi An.
At the 23rd session from November 29 to December 4, 1999, in Marrakesh, Morocco, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) officially inscribed Hoi An in the list of World Cultural Heritage.
POINTS OF INTEREST:
In the Old Town of Hoi An:
Japanese Covered Bridge – constructed in the early 17th century by a powerful Japanese merchant in Hoi An. Known as the Covered Bridge, it features a small shrine on the bridge dedicated to Bac De Tran Vu, the guardian deity of the land.
Ancient Houses:
+ 77 Tran Phu, a typical classical architecture.
+ 80 Nguyen Thai Hoc, the residence of the Bac Diep Dong Nguyen Pharmacy, the owner also possesses a valuable collection of ceramics.
+ 101 Nguyen Thai Hoc with a meticulously adorned living room. The house is decorated with the unique image of two crossed swords.
+ Tran Family Chapel, 21 Le Loi.
Assembly Halls:
+ Quang Dong Assembly Hall dedicated to Quan Cong, located on Tran Phu Street.
+ Chinese Assembly Hall dedicated to Thien Hau. Phuc Kien Assembly Hall, built in 1857, also dedicated to Thien Hau.
+ Hai Nam Assembly Hall.
+ Chaozhou Assembly Hall on Nguyen Duy Hieu Street, constructed in 1845 with materials brought from China.
+ Temple dedicated to General Phuc Ba.
Museums:
+ The Ceramics Museum of Hoi An, located on Tran Phu Street, exhibits ancient ceramics from China, Japan, and Vietnam salvaged from a sunken trading ship 400 years ago off the coast of Hoi An.
+ Sa Huynh Culture Museum showcases ancient artifacts such as burial urns, jewelry, and weapons.
+ The Museum of Hoi An's Cultural History, within the precincts of the Quan Cong Temple and the Quan Am Pagoda built since the 17th century with several renovations.
+ Folk Culture Museum.
Nearby Tourist Attractions:
+ Cua Dai Beach, only 5km east of the ancient town of Hoi An, is a beautiful and ideal beach with clear water, small waves, and fine white sand.
+ Additionally, you can purchase tours to nearby destinations such as the My Son Sanctuary, recognized by UNESCO as a cultural heritage site, take boat trips to craft villages along the Thu Bon River, visit the pottery village of Thanh Ha, and more. Tour prices range from 5 to 10 USD.
Important Information
Entrance fee to visit the Ancient Town of Hoi An:
– Domestic visitors: 40,000 VND/person/visit; international visitors: 90,000 VND/person/visit.
Free guide fees for groups of 8 or more, contact the tour guide at the ticket counter.
Tickets are valid for 3 days and allow visits to 5 points of interest, based on your choice.
Getting to Hoi An
From Da Nang City to Hoi An, there are two routes. One is via National Highway 1 heading south about 27km to Vinh Dien Road, then turning left for an additional 10km. Entering Hoi An via Huynh Thuc Khang Street allows you to visit the Binh An Cham Tower in Vinh Dien.
The second route, closer and less crowded, starts from the center of Da Nang, crosses the Han River bridge, takes the provincial road Da Nang - Hoi An, visits Marble Mountains, and reaches Hoi An in about 30km.
Hoi An offers a range of transportation services for tourists, including buses, taxis, motorbike taxis, cyclos, and the option to rent motorcycles or bicycles for exploring the ancient town freely. However, the most enjoyable way for visitors to experience Hoi An is by strolling around the historic streets to feel the unique atmosphere of the place.
Specialties of Hoi An Ancient Town
Cao Lau is a dish similar to Quang noodles, with less broth. The noodles are mixed with herbs, meat, and shrimp, and the special Cao Lau noodles are made from Hoi An rice flour, soaked in ash water from the Cham Islands. It's essential to use water from the Ba Le well for the noodles to be appropriately chewy, making Cao Lau a distinctive specialty of Hoi An.
A specialty dish is the rice paper served with mixed baby clams. Due to the concentration of the Chinese community, Hoi An is also renowned for its steamed buns and white rose dumplings, both filled with shrimp and meat. These unique delicacies benefit from the rice flour soaked in Ba Le well water and are dipped in authentic sauce made by the vendors themselves.
Shopping for gifts: Stamped cakes, green bean cakes, thorn leaf cakes. Hoi An chili sauce.
Hoi An Hotels
Being a tourist city, especially popular among international visitors, Hoi An boasts a variety of well-equipped hotels. In the city center, room rates can be relatively high, and availability may be scarce. It's advisable for travelers to book at least 2 months in advance for favorable prices. During peak season, late bookings might lead to accommodations further from the central area, such as along Huynh Thuc Khang Street near the bus station or on Thai Phien Street.
Other Considerations
Hoi An is fascinating in the early morning, with quiet streets and locals preparing for the new day. Without electric lights, the city comes alive with bustling activities between sellers and buyers.
Exploring Hoi An at night in the serene alleys of the ancient town is also an option.
It's recommended to visit Hoi An on the full moon day, the 14th day of the lunar month, when the Old Town transforms into a pedestrian-only area. Motorcycles are prohibited, lanterns light up the streets, and families burn traditional lanterns. There are cultural performances, folk singing, and Quang-style singing throughout the night.
Every evening at Bach Dang Wharf, there are cultural boats cruising along the river, featuring ethnic music performances.
From a Global Perspective
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Reference: Travel Guide Mytour
MytourJune 25, 2014
