Hoi An

About

Hoi An was founded as early as the 7th century by the Cham. Situated at the estuary of the Thu Bồn River, Hoi An grew into a nationally important trading center, attracting Chinese, Portuguese, Japanese, Dutch, and Indian merchants from the 15th to 19th centuries. After Vietnam’s trade center was moved to Da Nang, Hoi An was forgotten, leaving it with an exceptionally well-preserved Old Town that’s been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1999. Here you can see Chinese temples alongside the tombs of Japanese traders in this golden-yellow neighborhood. This cultural-blending is embodied in the 17th-century Tan Ky House, which was built by a Vietnamese family, but with Japanese and Chinese influences. The symbol of the city, however, is the 16th century Japanese covered bridge. You can also visit one of the city’s museums to learn more about its rich history, stretching back 2000 years to when the area was first settled.