Hoi An
Hoi An was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999, and a visit to this old-world gem is a sure cultural highlight of any tour in Vietnam. From the 16th to the 18th century, the city was Vietnam's most important port and trading post, particularly of ceramics with nearby China.
How to get to Hoian?
From the 16th to 19th century, Hoi An used to be an international trade center on the East - West commercial itinerary and also the busiest trading port in Dang Trong (the South region of Viet Nam). Merchant ships from Japan, China, Portugal, Spain, Netherlands... often stopped here to exchange and purchase commodities.
In the progresses of establishment and development, Hoi An was known with many difference names as Faifo, Haisfo, Hoai pho, Ketchem, Cotam... Archeological and architectural relics prove that Hoi An was an important meeting place of many cultures, such as Champa, Viet Nam, Japan and China...
Until now, a complex of ancient architecture relics in Hoi An has been preserved mostly intact, including many old houses, assembly halls, temples, pagodas, wells, bridges, churches, ports, markets, roads... with mossy ancient color. According to statistics, the relics in Hoi An are classified into 11 categories, including 1,068 ancient houses, 19 pagodas, 43 temples, 23 communal houses, 38 family worship houses, 5 assembly halls, 11 ancient wells, 1 bridge, 44 ancient tombs... The existence of Hoi An Ancient City is the only case in Viet Nam and also rare in the world. Hoi An is considered as a living museum of architecture and urban lifestyle.
Besides diverse architectures, Hoi An also keep quite grandiose intangible culture values. Daily life of the locals with customs, religious activities, folk art, festivals, traditional craft villages, specialty dishes... have been preserved and promoted.
Hoi An also has 7km-coastline that is favorable for tourism development, of which Cua Dai Beach is one of the nicest and cleanest beaches in Viet Nam.
In December 1999, Hoi An Ancient City was recognized as World Cultural Heritage by UNESCO.