Hoi An, the heart of central Vietnam

Located on the northern bank of Thu Bon river in  Quang Nam province. In December 1999, Hoi An was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO as heritage preservation and improving the quality of life of inhabitants. Hoi An is one of the best tourist attractions where you will come to realize the true beauty of Vietnam, beautiful landscapes, friendly people, famous traditional food and immerse yourself in the culture. 

Back in time, Hoi An was a very important trading port dating from the 15th to the 19th century on the East Vietnam Sea. Traders came from as far away as China, Japan, India, while Dutch and Portuguese merchants also visited. Trade was rich in silks, ceramics, and of course spices. But by the 18th century, changing political situations, as a result, the Thu Bon river here silted over and it became a backwater. It meant that much of the trading activities moved North to Da Nang and Hoi An became largely forgotten. 

Today, Hoi An serves as a wonderful cultural destination

With numerous special buildings, tailor shops, craft shops,...that you can spend a couple of days strolling around side streets and alleyways, enjoying its peaceful surroundings and picturesque scenery. These days, many of the old buildings reflecting a mixture of Vietnamese, Chinese, Japanese and French architectural influences are really nicely preserved in Hoi An. The buildings were painted in an attractive bright yellow, festooned with paper lanterns and flowering trees,...

You can still feel the old trading atmosphere too, as every shop sells some local products, souvenirs or Vietnamese traditional dress

Moreover, getting something tailor-made is a popular thing to do in Hoi An. When you walk past a few tailor shop fronts, you will soon realize that there is nothing that those tailors can't make. If you are looking for a fancy suit, a new dress or some new shoes, then you can find the right tailor here. Maybe you can try to buy some folk costumes such as Ao dai or handbags, wallets, shoes,... Don't worry because the tailors in Hoi An are very skillful and well- known throughout the world. Many of them can trace the trade through several generations of their family and it's not only women. 

One of the centrepieces of Hoi An center is Chua Cau( the Pagoda Bridge)

The oldest bridge was built by Japanese residents at the beginning of the 17th century. It is believed that the bridge was built to appease a mythical creature and help bring safety, welfare, and prosperity for people. The bridge links what was once the main river island across to the “Japanese town”, where many Japanese merchants have houses and shops. You can also be very impressed by the Phuc Kien Assembly Hall built by Chinese traders from Fujian province in the 1960s. It's a marvelous example of Chinese architecture with ornate decorations, dragon statues on the rooflines, temples to various spirits and animals. 

7 things to do that you should never miss in Hoi An at night! 

Best time to visit Hoi An Ancient Town

Hoi An is a city that has two seasons with the dry season and the wet season. The dry season typically stretches from February to September but it has its fluctuations. The wet season starts in October and lasts till around February. In terms of temperature and humidity, February to April is the best time to visit Hoi An. 

This time is usually pleasant. Moving on from May, the temperatures continue to rise and hit a peak in June. You will enjoy hot, sunny days to go to the beaches at this time. You also may see the locals work in the early morning and take a nap at midday but it’s no stranger things. The months of October and November may have the possibility of flooding. The weather can be unpredictable in the Hoi An city, so please update temperature reports and local weather forecast before booking a flight to visit here. 

What to do in Hoi An city in 24 hours: Here's a complete 1 day itinerary 

Hoi An nowadays is still a lovely old town and attracts thousands of tourists a day. Visitors can wander around the streets and admire Hoi An's charm of a trade town largely untouched by modern Vietnamese influences for the past 200 years.