Hoi An is a delightful historic city located in Quảng Nam Province in Central Vietnam along the banks of the Thu Bon river. Hoi An means ‘peaceful meeting place’ and it is rightly named so, as it served as a prosperous trading hub for centuries. In addition to its French rulers, its commercial significance saw an influx of traders from neighbouring countries like China, India and Japan and also attracted Europeans like the Dutch and Portuguese, thus giving the city its multicultural feature.
The easiest way to reach Hoi An is from the nearby Da Nang city, which has an international airport. From Da Nang, you can take a bus, hire a taxi or even a motorbike to reach Hoi An that is around 30 km away. On the way, you will come across the Marble Mountains which are a group of five hills, named after the five elements – water, fire, metal, wood and earth. The mountains are dotted with Buddhist shrines, statues and caves.
The riverside is the liveliest part of the town and is lined with bars, restaurants and cafes serving excellent food and drinks. You will also see an army of boats at the docks, which take people on fishing tours or river cruises. Hoi An’s food is no exception to Vietnam’s delectable cuisine and you can treat your tongue from the numerous street stalls selling an exciting range of dishes.
The old town of Hoi An somehow managed to escape the bombings of the Vietnam War and is one of the few sites in the country that retain its historical heritage. It is a UNESCO listed site and contains over 800 preserved buildings, at least a dozen of which are open to the public. You can rent a cycle and explore the old town’s charming narrow streets lined with Chinese temples, French-era houses, shop houses, Buddhist pagodas and museums.
At the heart of the city lies the impressive 16th-century Japanese Covered Bridge housing a small pagoda within. This historical piece of architecture displays a traditional Japanese style and its many renovations have also preserved this character. Its interior decorated with intricate carvings is highly appreciated. The bridge is guarded on both its ends by statues of a pair of monkeys and a pair of dogs. These statues symbolise that the bridge began construction in the Chinese year of the dog and was completed in the year of the monkey. The statues also signify that most of the Japanese emperors were born in these two years.
The Phung Hung Old House that has been inhabited by eight generations, is located near the Japanese Bridge and has a wide and impressive entrance hall. The interior of the house is adorned with wall hangings, embroidery and lanterns and its balcony offers splendid views of the town.
The Tan Ky Old House displays a mix of Vietnamese, Chinese and Japanese architectural styles and belonged to a merchant family. The original furniture and decorative pieces are left undisturbed and it gives a first hand experience of how people lived in olden days.
The Quan Thang House is believed to be over three centuries old and was built by a Chinese trader. The fine wooden carvings, courtyard and decorative pieces are impressive.
The 17th-century Fujian Assembly Hall is a fine piece of Vietnamese architecture incorporating Fujian artistic elements. It was constructed by the Fujian Chinese community in Hoi An as a public gathering space and later turned into a religious space. The Jinshang Golden Mountain temple inside the complex, hosts a statue of Thien Hau, goddess of the sea and protector of seafarers. Behind this central altar, there is another shrine that contains statues of the goddess of fertility, three fairies and ‘12 midwives’ who bless couples with fertility. Throughout the complex, you will also find elaborate carvings of typical Chinese elements like dragons, turtles and phoenixes.
The Cantonese Quang Dong Assembly Hall which throws off a bright red shade, the Trieu Chau Hall dedicated to General Phuc Ba, the god of mastering the waters and the Trung Hoa Assembly Hall, the oldest among all and dedicated to goddess Thien Hau are other notable assembly halls.
The 15th-century Chuc Thanh Pagoda is the oldest Buddhist pagoda in Hoi An and features Vietnamese and Chinese architectural styles. It houses the marble statue of Guan Yin, Goddess of Mercy, lacquered pillars, grave towers and intricate carvings of animals and other deities.
The 17th-century Van Duc Pagoda has three shrines decorated with sculptures and paintings and the courtyards contain rows of potted plants and shady trees.
The Hoi An Museum of History and Culture is housed in a 17th-century building and narrates the city’s rich 2000 year-old history. It displays ceramics, bronze articles, pottery, coffins, paintings, photographs and other artefacts from as early as the Cham period to the recent French rule.
The Museum of Folk Culture focuses on the rural culture of Vietnam with statues that display traditional attire and costumes. The Museum of Sa Huynh Culture mainly documents Hoi An’s pottery history, with artefacts that date back to the 1st and 2nd centuries.
Hoi An Museum of Trade Ceramics showcases ceramics from various Asian countries like China, India and Japan that highlight its trade history and foreign relations. The museum is housed in a traditional Vietnamese house and allows visitors to understand their styles of interior, architecture and layout.
Hoi An has been an important centre of Vietnam’s textile industry for centuries and its fame is widespread throughout Southeast Asia. The streets are lined with seasoned tailors flaunting their skills by stitching customised pieces within 24 hours to three days (for complicated designs). You can choose from the numerous fabric options ranging from cotton and silk to leather and linen, that come in various textures and patterns and then head to a tailor. And of course, you also have the option of buying off the rack from the many boutiques and stores.
The Hoi An Central Market along the banks of river Thu Bon and the Night Market (Lantern Market) on An Hoi island across the river are popular places to shop for local handicrafts, lanterns, silks and other products.
An Bang Beach, which is a 10-minute drive from the town, boasts of pristine white sands and a serene environment. It is lined with lively bars, seafood stalls and a few beachfront resorts. You can either relax on a sunbed or go paddle-boarding, surfing or swimming.
A 15-minute drive from the town will take you to the buzzing Cua Dai Beach with its 3 km long stretch of white sand and azure waters. Apart from good food, the beach also offers snorkelling.
If you are looking for better options for water sports, you can take a ferry to the Cham islands, a group of eight small islands. The beaches here are less crowded than those on mainland Hoi An and are lined with beautiful villas and excellent dining options. The islands are popular for snorkelling, scuba diving, kayaking and swimming.
Both the islands are connected to Hoi An by separate bridges across the river Thu Bon and are great places to understand the rural life of the Vietnamese. The best way to explore the islands is by a cycling tour through the rows of coconut trees and rice paddies. Cam Kim island is also notable for its fine wooden carvings and numerous artisan shops.
The diverse blend of Asian and European cultures, aesthetic architectural marvels, bustling shopping streets, appetising food, laid-back villages and scenic beaches make Hoi An a delightful Vietnamese experience.
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