Hoi An Ancient Town
Location:
Hoi An, a city of Quang Nam province, is nestled along the coast of the East Sea within the region of central Vietnam. Hoi An was primitively acknowledged as a harbor town of the Champa community along the Thu Bon river that was soon considered as an important trading zone in the 16th and 17th centuries. Today Hoi An is one of the most popular destinations in Vietnam, just 55 km from My Son sanctuary, 30 km towards the southern end of Da Nang and 130 km toward Hue City.
Hoi An
Weather and climate:
Quang Nam’s climate is influenced by monsoon. Hoi An is comparatively warm especially during the entire year. The annual average temperature is 25oC. It is hot and dry from February to April and rainy from September to December. The average humidity is about 84%. The annual average rainfall is 2,000 mm. The average sunny hours: 1,944 hours/years.
Though Hoi An is situated within Vietnam it experiences a subtropical weather, the country is abundant in annual rainfall especially during the summer seasons. The southern humidity carrying air currents can be witnessed in summer months. Winter brings along moist air from the South China Sea thereby showering the area with heavy down pours. Autumns in Vietnam accompany with it tropical hurricanes and typhoons while spring can be enjoyed with light showers
History:
Hoi An was considered as the budding port town of the Sa Huynh community who thrived in the region of Vietnam. It was during the 2nd to the 15th centuries that Hoi An was governed by the Champa Kingdom. Later on Hoi An turned into a commercial port town, having trade links with Arabia and China. As far as the history of Hoi An claims, the port town of Lam Ap turned into the so called Hoi An of the present day. The region flourished with Tra Kieu and My Son, the capital that had temples and towers belonging to the Champa Kingdom.
As far as the history of Hoi An goes, the settlement of Cham civilization within Hoi An was known for the presence of Cham port that had maritime trade links. Due to the strategic location of Hoi An along the merging point of Quang Nam and due to other positive conditions, the province showed affirmative signs of development during the 16th to the 19th centuries. This small town along with the “Silk road” and “Ceramic road” was involved in trade links with countries like China, Thailand, Japan, India, Portugal, Britain, France, Holland, and others.
With time Hoi An emerged as an international port town for trade links along with being a major economic hub for Nguyen Lords and Kings within of Southern Vietnam. It was during the concluding years of the 19th century, the sailing vessels port town of Hoi An experienced its downfall and lost importance in comparison to the industrial port city of Danang.
Nowadays, Hoi An still remain many beautiful old buildings, its narrow, quiet streets and its history as a merchant trading post. It was in December 4th, 1999 Hoi An was placed within the World Heritage list by UNESCO.
Getting to Hoi An
Most visitors come to Hoi An via the closest airport in Da Nang. Other options are from Hue or Nha Trang City. A car from Da Nang to Hoi An takes less than an hours, from Hue takes around 2.5 hour drive and take nearly one day to get Hoi An from Nha Trang. Private bus, public bus or open bus can easily find in Da Nang and Hue.
Train travel is also available for tourists who visit from Hue or Nha Trang.
Tourism:
This World Cultural Heritage has a distinct Chinese atmosphere with low, tile-roofed houses and narrow streets; the original structure of some of these streets still remains almost intact. All the houses were made of rare wood, decorated with lacquered boards and panels engraved with Chinese characters. Pillars were also carved with ornamental designs. Tourists can visit the relics of the Sa Huynh and Cham cultures. They can also enjoy the beautiful scenery of the romantic Hoi An River, Cua Dai Beach, and Cham Island.
It is now one of the most popular tourist destinations in Vietnam with architectural treasures, picturesque beauties, historical landmarks and wonderful people. Come to Hoi An, visitors can have a walk along the streets of the Hoi An where attraction lies just at an arm’s length or choose ride in a cycle and enjoy the encapsulating beauties.
The places to visit in Hoi An are known for its pagodas, ancient houses, architectural buildings, market places, traditional silk lanterns, assembly halls, craft markets, temples, night restaurants such as The Tran Family Home and Chapel, Phuc Kien Assembly Hall, Tan Ky ancient house, Phung Hung ancient house, Japanese Covered Bridge, Trieu Chau Hall, Ong Pagoda, Quan Cong Temple, Chu Thanh Pagoda, Quang Trieu Assembly Hall, Museum of Trade Ceramics, Sa Huynh Culture Museum, Museum of History and Culture… A walking trip or a biking journey around some of these destinations surely brings unforgettable experience to travelers.
Other things to do in Hoi An is a boat trip on Thu Bon River to visit Thanh Ha Pottery Village and Kim Bong carpenter village. It will be much joyful when relaxing on the peaceful beach of Cua Dai. Shopping in Hoi An is a very exciting option due to you can buy many traditional handicraft products in different sizes and types from wooden product to silk lantern or a tailor-made suit which is renowned in Vietnam.
Hoi An fests many festivals every year such as street festival, full moon festival… . A full moon festival which is held on every 14th lunar calendar is full of amazements. The street is only lighted with the lanterns, no neon light, no motorbike, no televison. While Hoi An’s old-fashioned charm is always visible, on the 14th of every lunar month modernity takes another step back. On these evenings the town turns off its street lamps and fluorescent lights, leaving the Old Quarter bathed in the warm glow of colored silk, glass and paper lanterns.
If you are a fan of Vietnamese culinary in particular and Asian cuisine in general, there are also a number of workshops in Hoi An where you could learn to cook Vietnamese food, or perhaps to make their own silk lantern in the Hoi An style, which you can take home as gifts for friends and families.
