Hoi An, once known as Faifo, was a major international port in the 16th and 17th centuries, and the foreign influences are discernible to this day. While the serious shipping business has long since moved to Danang travel , the heart of the city is still the Old Town, full of winding lanes and Chinese-styled shophouses, which is particularly atmospheric in the evening as the sun goes down. While almost all shops now cater to the tourist trade, the area has been largely preserved as is, which is unusual in Vietnam, and renovation has proceeded slowly and carefully - it's mercifully absent of towering concrete blocks and karaoke parlors.
The main thoroughfare in the Old Town is Tran Phu. Just south of the Old Town, across the Thu Bon River, are the islands of An Hoi to the west, reachable via Hai Ba Trung, and Cam Nam to the east, reachable via Hoang Dieu.
From the 16th to the 18th century, Hoi An was Vietnam's most important port and trading post, especially in ceramics. Today, it is a quaint old town (844 structures have been designated as historical landmarks) still showing the influences of the Chinese and Japanese traders who passed through and settled here. Moreover, it's small enough to cover easily on foot. Wander through the historic homes and temples on a quiet Saturday afternoon, stop to lounge in an open-air cafe, gaze at the endless 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 throng with skipping children in spotless white shirts. Hoi An is indeed a surprise package in Vietnam. Be it historical monuments, vintage sites, culturally vibrant squares or quaint little shops, Hoi An packs in quite a punch. While the city is eagerly courting tourism and your tourist dollars - meaning there's plenty of pesky vendors and hawkers - it's still relatively low-key and genuinely friendly. Visit our Vietnam Country Guide for more general country information, or our Hoi An Tour page to see what tour options are available. This Hoi An Destination Guide lists some of the main attractions worth checking out during your stay. For more information on things to do in Vietnam, take a look at our Vietnam Destination Guide.
- Things to See & Do in Hoi An
The Thu Bon River is a very picturesque river with verdant banks on both sides. You can take a boat and go up to the woodworking village for a quiet, serene outing amidst nature. The Japanese covered bridge is an exquisite piece of art with intricate detailing and filigree work. It definitely makes a great photo op. If you happen to visit the old town area, do drop in to one of the fusion shops that house Chinese, Japanese and Vietnamese products. Intriguing and eclectic, they give a new meaning to shopping.
- Four must-visit places in and around Hoi An:
- Thu Bon River
- Woodworking village
- Japanese covered bridge
- Vietnamese shops with Chinese and Japanese influences
