Hoi An Charming City, World Heritage Site
Hoi An, formerly known as Faifo lies a mere 32km to the south of
Danang. From the 16th to late 19th century this quaint riverside
town was one of the busiest trading ports on the South China Sea
coast. Merchants from Europe, the Middle East, China and Japan used
to congregate here to trade. Hoi An was fortunate enough to be on
the famous silk route linking India and the subcontinent to China
and the Far East. It was only towards the end of the 19th century
that the Thu Bon River began to silt up, causing shipping and consequently
business to head to nearby Danang.
Today Hoi An is one of the most popular tourist destinations in
Vietnam. With its colorful blend of Chinese Assembly Halls, narrow
winding streets and ancestral family homes the town retains a feeling
of ages past. The town's five Chinese Assembly Halls and temples
were built by the large Chinese merchant community that used to
live here. Each clan would have its own hall and temple where they
could discuss social and business affairs. One of the most spectacular
Assembly Halls is the Phuoc Kien Assembly Hall, built in 1690. The
pagoda inside contains intricate statues and artwork, in part dedicated
to Thien Hau Thanh Mau, the Goddess of the Sea and protector of
fishermen.
Another interesting site is the Japanese Covered Bridge, the unofficial
emblem of the town. It is over 400 years old and was probably constructed
to link the Japanese and Chinese communities.
Apart from the obvious historical interest, which led to the entire
old quarter being designated a World Heritage site by UNESCO, the
town has a great variety of shops and restaurants serving such local
delicacies as Cao Lau - a thick noodle soup made with water from
one particular well.
For many people coming from the hustle and bustle of Vietnam's
larger cities, Hoi An can almost seem like an oasis. The lack of
cars and motorbikes coupled with the town's pleasant riverside setting
means that most visitors choose to stay for a few days. If you do
tire of the town itself why not hop on a bicycle and pedal the 4km
to the nearby Cua Dai beach.
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