Hoi An Ancient Town

Lying on the banks of the Thu Bon River, Quảng Nam province ( in the South Central Coast of Vietnam), Hoi An Ancient Town is an exceptionally well-preserved example of a South-East Asian trading port dating from the 15th to the 19th century.

Over the last few years, Hoi An has become a very popular tourist destination in Vietnam.

Its buildings and its street plan reflect the influences, both indigenous and foreign, that have combined to produce this unique heritage site.

Hội An translates as "peaceful meeting place". In English and other European languages, the town was known historically as Faifo. This word is derived from Vietnamese Hội An phố (the town of Hội An), which was shortened to "Hoi-pho", and then to "Faifo".

In 1999, the old town was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO

Coming here, tourists can see a series of old-architectured lanes and houses with
nearly 100% cristinely left from their initial buildings with mossgrown walls,
deeply plain roofs, old furniture in their cristine past arrangment etc.

On the 14th day of every lunar month, the old town of Hoi An
switches off its lights and closes to motorised traffic, the old town
is transformed by flickering candlelight, multi-coloured lanterns
and hoards of visitors who’ve come to see the full moon lantern festival.

No fluorescent lights, no motorcycles, no television, on the 15th day of each lunar month, the riverside town of Hoi An gives modern life the night off.

The bridge (Chùa cầu) is a unique covered structure built by the Japanese, the only known covered bridge with a Buddhist pagoda attached to one side.

Cute young woman wearing "Áo dài"

One of the nicest things about being in Hoi An is that you
can get around on foot or by cyclo

Today, Hoi An is also known as a shopping paradise that attracts tourists towards
its wonderful souvenirs, handicrafts, antique pieces, silk materials and art paintings, and so on.

Tourists should not miss some of the great festivals of Hoi An, among which is Full Moon Festival, held on the 14^th of every lunar month, one night before the full moon, when the Old Town becomes even more festive than usual, active and marvellously decorated with colorful lights and lamps along every lane.