Once known as Faifo, Hoi An was one of the orient’s major trading ports in the 16th and 17th centuries. After the Thu Bon River linking Hoi An to the sea silted up ocean going ships were no longer able to sail into town and trade moved 30km up the coast to Tourane, known nowadays as Danang.
Despite the passing of 200 years and the ravages of weather and war, the centre of Hoi An remains much the same as it was in its heyday. A walking tour is the best way to see the wooden-fronted houses that once belonged to the town’s prosperous merchants, the Japanese-covered Bridge and the wonderful market. Hoi An is one of the best places in Vietnam to shop for souvenirs at bargain prices including silk, handicrafts, antiques and paintings.
Five kilometers from the centre of town is Cua Dai Beach, popular with both locals and visitors alike, for its sandy beach, warm sea and seafood stalls. Hoi An is known throughout Vietnam for its excellent seafood and it also boasts its own unique dishes such as Cao Lau, a delicious combination of noodles, pork, bean sprouts, mint and croutons.
PHUC KIEN - ASSEMBLY HALL
Set up in 1757 by Chinese Phuc Kien merchants at Hoi An, the building has been repaired and renovated many times. Phuc Kien Assembly Hall is used for genies and ancestors worship And a meeting place of the Chinese Phuc Kien people as well.
PHUNG HUNG - OLD HOUSE
This private house, constructed in 1780, is two floors of combined architectural influences. The first floor's central roof is four-sided, showing Japanese influence, and the upstairs balcony has a Chinese rounded "turtle shell "roof with carved beam supports. The house has weathered many floods. In 1964, during a particularly bad bout, its third floor served as a refuge for other town families. The upstairs is outfitted with a trap door for moving furniture rapidly to safety. You might be shown around by Ms. Anh, who claims to be an eighth-generation member of the family. Tour guides at every house make such claims; however, like Quan Thang's house, the family really does seem to live here.
QUANG 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” time (in Chinese history) who is the resplendent symbol of morality: faith, loyalty, frankness, righteousness.
TAN KY - ANCIENT HOUSE
Located at 101 Nguyen Thai Hoc Road, Hoi An Town, Quang Nam Province, Tan Ky House was constructed almost two centuries ago as the house of a Vietnamese merchant. It has always been lovingly preserved and now looks almost exactly as it did in the early 19th century.
The design of Tan Ky House shows how local architecture incorporated Japanese and Chinese influences. Japanese elements include the crab shell-shaped ceiling supported by three beams in the living room. Chinese poems written in mother-of-pearl are hanging from a number of the columns that hold up the roof.
THE JAPANESE BRIGDE
The bridge was built by the Japanese trading community in 1593 to link them with the Chinese quarter on the other side of a small stream. The bridge is obviously very solidly built, almost out of proportion to the small trickle which runs under it.
At either end of the bridge are alters to guardians of the bridge. One end has a pair of monkeys, while the other is guarded by dogs (left). There's also a sort of temple on the north side of the bridge, right in the middle over the stream.
As the entrance is low to the ground, you can see a lot of detail in to roof, including the little porcelain bowls used to cap the ends of the tiles (right). The "other "side of the bridge is where you'll find the more interesting art galleries.
THE TRAN FAMILY WORSHIP HOUSE
In 1802, the Tran family ancestor house of worship was built by a mandarin of civil service named Tran Tu Nhac.
The architecture of the house is beautiful. It is located inside a big garden and bordered by high fences of Japanese and Chinese style architecture. The house is divided into two parts: the main part serves as a place for worship; the auxiliary one is for the family and guest residence. The worship room has three doors, the two side doors are reserved for male and female members (left side is for men and the right side is for women) and the centre is for the grandparents and opened on Tet or on festival days.
TRIEU CHAU ASSEMBLY HALL
Trieu Chau assembly hall was built by the Chinese in the early 19th century to worship the God of the oceans who is the reflection of the sea faring people,s deep longing for safety at sea.
Cham Island Snorkeling - 1 Day
