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 at work in some parts of the city.

During the full moon of every month, local shop owners turn off the electricity and hang lanterns bearing their shops' names, and a candlelight lantern procession, complete with a few small floats, makes its way through the Old Town and along the riverfront. It's well worth timing a visit to enjoy the spectacle and the post-processional festivities.

Lantern Work

Hoi An lantern is various size and shape, from normal lantern to dragon lantern or fish lantern with full of color. Hoi An people highly pride on their lantern. It is very simple and easy to do only with hard-work. In past, there was no "night of ancient city"...more

Kim Bong Carpentry Village

The carpentry of this village is believed to originate from North Vietnam, and has long been famous with its arts of wood carving and sculpture...more

My Son Cham Towers

My Son lies in a narrow valley in Duy Tan Commune, Duy Xuyen District, Quang Nam Province. 70km southwest of Danang City, 20km away from the Tra Kieu Citadel, and 40km away from the ancient town of Hoi An...more

Tan Ky ancient House

Tan Ky House was constructed almost two centuries ago as the house of a Vietnamese merchant...more

Thu Bon River
It is one of the nicest waterways in Vietnam. As such, it has been repeatedly portrayed in poetry...more

Thanh Ha Pottery village

Having its origins from Thanh Hoa Province, the pottery-making profession in Thanh Ha Village absorbed some techniques, original in Quang Nam Province and hence their products have become different from all the others in Vietnam, though also based on clay with manual manipulation and kiln heat...more

Cu Lao Cham Island

Cu Lao Cham consists of seven islets very close to one another: Hon Lao (Hon Ong), Hon Kho Me, Hon Kho Con, Hon Tai, Hon Dai, Hon La and Hon Mo...more

Japanese Covered Bridge

Japanese Covered Bridge, also called the Pagoda Bridge (Chua Cau) is located in Hoi An Town, Quang Nam Province. The Pagoda Bridge was built in the 16th century and is still incredibly well-preserved...more