It is said that the picturesque ancient town of Hoi An is the perfect destination for those who love old architecture and serene scenery. Situated on the coast of Vietnamese East Sea, Hoi An used to be one of the most important trading ports in Southeast Asia in the 16th century.
Today, its ancient past is superbly preserved in an enchanting collection of temples, pagodas, shop houses and scenic private homes. A walking tour of this delightful town with its historic structures including the gorgeous Phuc Kien Assembly Hall, the 400-year-old bright-red Japanese Covered Bridge and the ancient houses is highly recommended. Stopping at museums or seeing local artisans using age-old techniques to make a variety of crafts is also a wonderful experience.
This town is well-known for streets decorated with colourful lanterns. Visitors can immerse themselves in the unique atmosphere of the town during the full moon when the shop owners turn off the lights and use lanterns. In addition, a tour to Hoi An wouldn't be complete without a boat trip on the Thu Bon river to discover the daily life of local people.
Acknowledged as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999, Hoi An is well worth visiting during the Viet Nam tour. It is great that tourists can hunt traces of foreign merchants such as the Japanese, Chinese and Dutch who made Hoi An a centre of culture in old Viet Nam.