A detail list for whose planning Hoi An travel trip. A local guide of top attractions, local dishes, must-do activities, interesting tours,..
The ancient town of Hoi An is located in Quang Nam, Vietnam, about 30km south of Da Nang city. Previously, in the 17th and 18th centuries, Hoi An was the busiest international trading port in Southeast Asia. However, by the 19th century, Hoi An was in a recession due to unfavourable water transportation. Therefore, the number of international ships and boats passing here decreased.
But also because of that Hoi An retains the ancient beauty, perfect integrity of an Asian trading port. In 1999, Hoi An was recognized by UNESCO as a world cultural heritage. And since then, Hoi An tourism has grown and become an indispensable destination for international tourists coming to Vietnam.
Hoi An Ancient Town is an invaluable treasure, preserving the thousand-year-old cultural and historical values of Hoi An in particular and Vietnam in general. Located alongside the Hoai River in a romantic and tranquil setting, Hoi An Ancient Town is an ideal destination for both domestic and international tourists. With its beautiful historical sites and scenic landscapes, Hoi An Ancient Town has become a limitless source of inspiration.
For the people of Hoi An, the Chua Cau – Bridge Pagoda is a soul, a symbol that has existed for over four centuries. This place also has another name, the Japanese Covered Bridge, located at the junction of Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street and Tran Phu Street. This unique architectural structure is even printed on the polymer 20,000 VND banknote of Vietnam.
The Bridge Pagoda is a uniquely designed bridge made of horizontal wooden planks spanning across a stream that leads to the Hoai River. The bridge is 18 meters long and features a tiled roof in the shape of yin and yang, facing towards the Thu Bon River. Despite being built by the Japanese, the Bridge Pagoda bears distinct Vietnamese architectural characteristics.
the owner of the house is Vietnamese businessman. He built it with the intention of establishing a long-term business selling items such as cinnamon, pepper, salt, ceramics, and glassware. Hoping for the prosperity of his family’s business, the entrepreneur named the house “Phung Hung” – which is also his trading brand, meaning “prosperity.”
With abundant economic resources, social connections, and extensive knowledge, the merchant has designed his house in a very unique and special architectural style. It is a synthesis of three cultural schools: Vietnamese, Japanese, and Chinese.
This is one of the most important historical sites of the Chinese people in Hoi An, built in the 17th century. This church has a unique architecture with many exquisite details, blending Chinese and Vietnamese architectural styles.
The Phuc Kien Assembly Hall in Hoi An is used as a place of worship for Thien Hau Thanh Mau – a sea goddess in the beliefs of overseas Chinese people. Additionally, this assembly hall is also utilized for organizing various major cultural festivals throughout the year, notably the Lady Thien Hau’s death anniversary. In 1990, the Phuc Kien Assembly Hall was recognized as a National-level Cultural and Historical Relic.
One of the tourist destinations in Hoi An that has attracted a large number of tourists in recent times is probably the Sa Huynh Culture Museum. This is the place where you can learn and explore the featured culture dating back several thousands of years, associated with the traditional culture of the Vietnamese people.
The Hoai River is a small branch of the Thu Bon River, located in An Hoi Ward. The river meanders through the heart of the ancient town, serving as a living witness to its formation and development.
The highlight of Hoi An’s ancient town at night is undoubtedly the Hoai River. The street of Bach Dang, with its yellow lanterns shining down on the Hoai River, creates a romantic and picturesque scene. This has made it a distinctive tourist destination in Hoi An that everyone wants to visit.
Sitting in a small boat drifting along the Hoai River, silently admiring the tranquil and mystical Hoi An at night. Listening to the stories about this land from the boatman in the peaceful atmosphere. Dropping the flower lanterns with your own hands, the flower latterns that carrying your wishes. That is definitely a memorable experience in the journey.
In the evening, after taking a walk or sitting on a boat by the Hoai River, you can stop at the beginning of Nguyen Thai Hoc Street or Kazik Park to immerse yourself in the cheerful and lively atmosphere of traditional Vietnamese card games such as Bai Choi and Breaking pots blindfolded.
Hoi An is also very popular across Vietnam for its textile industry and one of the reasons many people come here is to get clothes tailor made. You only need to wait a few hours to have a set of clothes made according to your own measurements. The American magazine Time once evaluated tailoring services in Hoi An as the fastest and cheapest in the world.
You will find amazing tailors all over town and can choose from a different of silks, others textiles and patterns to make your own personalized creations. You only need from one to three days to get your clothes made when the design is simple. And it can be up to a week for more complicated pieces. You can make plan to make tailor while visiting Hoian to avoid disappointed.
Although Hoian is famous for tailor made with a lot of tailors, you will be expected to bargain hard and wander around so that finds the best deal for your wish.
The reason it is called “Cao Lau” is because this dish is typically served on the second floor and rooftop. Wealthy people in the past, when visiting restaurants in Hoi An, would often sit upstairs. This delicious and sophisticated dish came to be known as “lên lầu” (going upstairs), and gradually, it was shortened to “Cao Lầu”.
To make a bowl of Cao Lầu in Hoi An, the cook needs to be skillful and meticulous in every step of the process. When visiting Hoi An, you can savor this dish at:
Cao lau Thanh
Cao lau Ba Le
Quang noodle is a dish that originated in the Quảng Nam and Đà Nẵng regions of Vietnam. Currently, there are various versions of Quang noodle, such as snakehead fish noodle, chicken noodle, shrimp and meat noodle, beef noodle, and the latest addition, frog noodle. A bowl of Quang noodle must have a full range of colors and natural ingredients such as shrimp, meat, and eggs. Additionally, it includes a broth, a combination of 9 types of fresh herbs, roasted sesame rice crackers, peanuts, dipping sauce, lime, chili, and other spices.
Having the opportunity to visit the picturesque Ancient Town, it would be a great omission not to try one of its culinary highlights, which is Quang Nam-style noodles, commonly known as “Mi Quang” in Hoi An.
Mi Quang Ba Minh
Mi Quang Di Hat
When it comes to Vietnamese cuisine, foreign tourists have given high praise and compliments to Vietnamese bread, considering it as one of the world-renowned specialties. If you have the opportunity to visit the beautiful ancient town of Hoi An, you cannot miss the specialty called “Banh Mi Phuong Hoi An.” It was praised by the famous chef Anthony Bourdain as the “best sandwich in the world.”
The unique mangrove ecosystem stretches out to the sea. The dense river system, pristine and picturesque Cu Lao Cham archipelago. To fully explore the beauty of Hoi An, participating in experiences at Cù Lao Chàm and Seven Mẫu Coconut Forest is essential.
Cu Lao Cham archipelago consists of one main island and eight smaller islands surrounding it. It is an island cluster with an approximate area of 15 square kilometers, located within the jurisdiction of Hoi An city, Quang Nam province. It is situated 18 kilometers away from the Cua Dai coastline.
This place is famous for its pristine natural landscapes and deep green mountains and forests. It features long, smooth white sandy beaches, crystal-clear waters, and a rich diversity of flora and fauna.
In addition, there are many exciting recreational activities in Cù Lao Chàm. In this “green paradise,” you can go fishing with local fishermen, go snorkeling to admire the coral reefs, set up a camp on the beach, and experience countless local tourism activities.
Ticket prices at Cu Lao Cham for reference:
Located 3 kilometers to the East of Hoi An, there were 7 hectares of water coconut trees. The name “Rừng dừa 7 mẫu” (Seven-acre coconut forest) originated from this. Up until now, this area has nearly doubled in size.
The coconut forest is also known as Cam Thanh coconut forest. It is a famous ecotourism destination in Hoi An. Here, you can experience sitting on a bamboo basket boat and explore the lush green coconut forest in a peaceful atmosphere. You can also enjoy traditional basket boat performances, boat racing, and savor local specialties.
This is still a famous revolutionary base during the war, closely associated with the local river and water ecosystem.
Ticket prices at Seven-acre coconut forest for reference:
Cua Dai Beach is one of the famous tourist destinations in Hoi An. The beach is located just 5km from the city center of Hoi An. It is the convergence point of the Thu Bon River, Truong Giang River, and De Vong River before flowing into the East Sea. Cua Dai Beach captivates visitors from the very first moment with its endless stretch of white sand. Surrounding the beach are tall coconut trees providing ample shade.
High-rise buildings are hardly found here. Instead, the architecture reflects a rustic style, reminiscent of ancient Vietnamese villages. All of this adds to the gentle beauty of the beach.
An Bang Beach, located around 1km from Cua Dai beach, is a well-known destination for beach enthusiasts visiting Hoi An. With its long and picturesque coastline, An Bang Beach is a renowned beach in the region. It possesses a pristine beauty that is seldom found elsewhere.
An Bang Beach has made it to the top 100 most beautiful beaches in the world as voted by the renowned American television channel CNN, and it has also ranked among the top 20 most beautiful beaches in Asia on the popular travel website TripAdvisor. With its wide coverage, An Bang Beach has garnered attention from international tourists, contributing to the promotion of beach tourism in Hoi An to friends around the world.
Hoi An travel is an incredibly fascinating journey that leaves tourists with countless memorable experiences. The ancient old town, the poetic Hoai River, and traditional craft villages will bring you a whole new range of emotions.
Alley 384 Nguyen Tri Phuong, Block Ha Trung, Cam Nam Ward, Hoi An City, Quang Nam.
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Tel: (+84) 235 3936 222
