Introduction
Hoi An was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999, and a visit to this old-world gem is a sure cultural highlight of any tour in Vietnam. From the 16th to the 18th century, the city was Vietnam's most important port and trading post, particularly of ceramics with nearby China. Today it is a quaint old town of some 844 structures protected as historical landmarks, and the unique influence of Chinese and Japanese traders who passed through (or settled) can still be felt. It's a picturesque town, small enough to cover easily on foot, with lots of good nooks and crannies, shops, and gastronomic delights to discover.
Wander among historic homes and temples, perhaps stop to lounge in an open-air cafe, gaze at the 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 are thronged with skipping children in spotless white shirts and girls in their ao dai uniforms, and you can still see local craftsmen...
more local info
-
-
The Marble Mountains
The "mountains" are actually a series of five marble and limestone formations, which the locals liken to the shape of a dragon at rest. For the...
-
- Landmarks
-
-
-
Central Market
If you see one Vietnamese market, make it this one, by the river on the southeast side of the city. There are endless stalls of exotic foodstuffs...
-
- Markets
-
-
-
Museum of Trade Ceramics
Located in a traditional house, this museum describes the origins of Hoi An as a trade port and displays its most prominent trade item. Objects...
-
- Museums
-
