+ Hoi An
From the 16th to the 18th century, Hoi An was Vietnam's most important port and trading post, particularly in ceramics. Today, it is a quaint old town (844 structures have been designated as historical landmarks) still showing the influences of the Chinese and Japanese traders who passed through and settled here. Moreover, it's small enough to cover easily on foot. Wander through the historic homes and temples on a quiet Saturday afternoon, stop to lounge in an open-air cafe, gaze at the endless oddities and exotic foods in the market or take a sampan ride down the lazy river. In the afternoons when school is out, the streets throng with skipping children in spotless white shirts.
+ Chua Cau - The Japanese Covered Bridge
Conecting Tran Phu St. with Nguyen Thi Minh Khai St., Japanese
Covered bridge was constructed in the middle of the 16th century by
Japanese merchants in Hoi An. Due to natural disaster, Japanese
Covered bridge was restored so many times that it gradually lost its
original Japanese architecture style and was impacted by Vietnamese
and Chinese design. The bridge was provided with a roof which was
arched shape and skilfully carved with many fine patterns. Over the
door, 3 Chinese characters Lai Van Kieu (it means Bridge for
Passers-by From Afar) were carved prominently to name the bridge by
Nguyen Phuc Chu Lord in his trip to Hoi An in 1719. The two
entrances to the bridge are guarded by a pair of monkeys on one side
and a pair of dogs on the other. According to legend, these once
lived an enormous monster called Cu whose head was in India, its
tail in Japan and its body in Vietnam. Whenever the monster moved,
terrible disaster such as floods and earthquake befell these places.
Thus, aprat from the purpose of transportation, building the bridge
aslo is to speak-killing the monster to preserve safe and peaceful
life. Japanese Covered Bridge is an invaluable property and has been
officially selected to be the symbol of Hoi An.
+ Phuc Kien Assembly Hall
It is said that Phuc Kien Assembly hall was once a small temple
where Thien Hau Thanh Mau statue (a goddess who protects merchants
sailing in the sea) was worshiped. It was picked up on the beach of
Hoi An in 1697. Due to restorations and support of the Fukien
people, the Assembly hall became resplendent and spacious taking
part in the embellishment of Hoi An architecture. Arranging the
statues for worshiping means human happiness profoundly expess
the oriental philosophy. Annually, on the 15th of January lunar
year, 16th of February lunar year and 23th of March lunar year many
activities are organized, attracting a lot of foreigners as well as
domestic tourists. On 17th of February 1990 Fukien was listed a
national historical vestige.
+ Tan Ky Old House
Built about 200 years ago, Tan Ky's architecture style is piped
shape - a typical style of Hoi An ancient houses. Its interior is
divided into many apartments and each one has its own function. The
front of the house is used for stores and the back of the house near
the river was the place for import and export goods. The interior
decoration item was made of unique wood skilfully carved with
symbols of dragon, fruits, eight weapons, silk fillets showing
well-off of its owners. On 17th February 1990 Tan Ky house was
listed as a national historical vestige.
+ Hoian House of Handicraft
The house gathers most of traditional handicraft villages from
Hoian and Quang Nam such as sleeping mat weaving, textile, pottery,
lacquer... This is a more than 200 years old house that was owned by a
very famous Chinese merchant named Phi Yen. Visitor could find here
a very peaceful atmosphere of a Vietnamese traditional village; see
with your eyes the skilful hands of the experts who make excellent
products. Especially, visitor can join into some steps in the
manufacturing process and buy some products as your souvenir.
Further, you have chance to enjoy traditional art shows that are
from Quang Nam and Central provinces at 10 am and 15 daily, except
Sunday.
+ Museum of Sa Huynh Culture
The museum supplies a plenty of information about ancient people
of Sa Huynh civilisation who were the first owners of Hoi An trading
port, having exchanging relationship with China, India, and South
East Asia. About 216 objects which are some 2000 years old of Sa
Huynh civilisation are exhibited. These items are found through
explorations and excavations of archaeological sites in such the
places as Hau Xa, Thanh Chiem, An Bang, Xuan Lam from 1989 to 1994.
The artifacts at the museum are evaluated as the most unique
collection of Sa Huynh civilisation in Viet Nam
+ Quang Trieu Assembly Hall
The Quang Trieu (Cantonese) Assembly Hall was built in 1885 by
Chinese Cantonese merchants in Hoi An to worship deities and to use
+ Quan Thang Old House
Quan Thang is, currently, evaluated as one of the nicest ancient
houses in Hoi An. It is an over 150 year old house with architecture
style of Hoa Ha, China. Through years, the syle as well as interior
decoration of the house has been lovingly preserved. That helps us
partly imagine the lifestyle of its owner generations who were the
merchants class in Hoi An earlier. It is known that the whole of
lively and fine architecture and sculptures were made by craftmen of
Kim Bong carpentry village. This is a main spot in the journey of
discovery the world cultural heritage in Hoi An.
+ Tran Family Worship House
Founded in 1802 by Tran mandarin (a large family emigrating from
China to Hoi An in 1700s) built in 1802 in accordance with the
traditional science of winds and waters of Chinese and Vietnamese.
Located on the area of 1500m2, Tran family temple consits of many
sections such as temple of ancestor worship and display of relics
relating to family, house... This is the place where descendants get
together, worshipping, and solving affairs in their lineage. Tran
family temple is one of the place attracting attention and interest
from visitors.
+ Trieu Chau Assembly Hall
Trieu Chau Assembly hall was built in 1845. The General Phuc Ba,
who was claimed to be able to make winds calm and waves quiet, was
worshipped there. The house possesses a special value in
architecture with its skilfully carved wood house-frame and wooden
decorated alter and many glazed terracotta carving works.
+ Phung Hung Old House
Over 100 years old, Phung Hung house possessed a unique
architecture. The high wooden ceiling and large corridors represent
the development of architecture and exchange among Asian
architectural styles in Hoi An in the earlier centuries. The house
exhibits a lot of information about the lifestyle of merchants who
lived in Hoi An long time ago. Although being made from unique
woods, Phung Hung house was not carved at all by the owner on
purpose. On the 29th of June 1993 the house was listed as a national
historical vestige.
+ Quan Cong Temple
This temple was built in the middle of the 17th century to
worship Quan Cong, the most famous general of the Three States
era in Chinese history, who is the resplendent symbol of morality:
faith, loyalty, frankness and righteousness.
+ Hoian non-vehicle noise
Successfully started on 24 July 2004, this program is being
continued on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday weekly.
On these day, everyone, especially tourists could enjoy walking on
the quiet streets or visit the Hoian ancient town without any
trouble caused by vehicle noise from motobikes. In stead, the smooth
music from the ancient tile roofs of the town would make you relaxed
and your trip more enjoyable.
+ Hoian Fullmoon Night
This falls on lunar 14 every month - the day of the full moon.
At night, Hoi An looks like a great stage, fanciful and briliant
with colorful lanterns. Hoi An people wearing ancient clothes become
actors in reciting poems, playing mah-jong and chess together. These
activities relive the beautiful atmosphere of an ancient port with
rural pleasures in traditional festivals.
From 6.00 p.m till midnight, the whole ancient town are quite, and
no vehicles. Both travellers and regional people, Vietnamese and
foreigners go for a walk together in the cosy atmosphere with
unforgetable memories.