The Ancient Town of Hoi An

Hoi An is the name of a provincial town on the Thu Bon River in Quang Nam provine, 30km south from Danang province. Though small and distant from the main highways, Hoi An attracts more and more visitors each year from Vietnam and abroad because it retains almost intact the specific features of an ancient town despite the ravages of time and war.

During the 15th and 16th century, Hoi An (previously called Hai Pho and later mispronounced as Faifo by Europeans) was a sea port known to many foreign merchants. Throughout the 17th and into the 18th century, it became a busy trading center, the biggest sea port in Central Vietnam and the location for many foreign emporia.

The presence of many Eastern and Western merchants in Hoi An has had major influences on its architecture, cultural life and even in customs and practices which can still be seen today. Still found in Hoi An nowadays are nearly 20 communal houses, pagodas and other places of worship built by Vietnamese, Chinese and Japanese people.

Hoi An’s beauty lies not only in its architecture, relics and ancient streets, but also in the harmony between people of different nationalities who one lived and worked together to build the prosperity of the town. It also has some beautiful beaches that perfects for honeymoon tours and leisure travels in Vietnam.

Places to visit: Fukien Meeting Hall, Japanese Bridge Pagoda, Phuc Thanh Pagoda, The place of worship of The Truong Family.