Introduction to Hoi An Ancient Town

Hoi An - World Cultural Heritage

Hoi An Ancient Town is one of the most prominent destinations of Vietnam tourism, recognized by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage in 1999. With a history of more than 400 years, Hoi An is a place where many cultures such as Vietnam, Japan, China and the West converge, clearly shown through ancient architectural relics, hundreds of years old houses and unique religious works. Every street corner, every roof contains stories about the once bustling trading port, where international merchants once gathered, creating a colorful, rich and nostalgic Hoi An.

Special geographical location

Located on the gentle Thu Bon River, Hoi An ancient town is about 30km south of Da Nang city. This river not only creates a poetic scene but is also an inseparable part of the life and culture of the people here. The boats drifting slowly, the ancient bridges and the peaceful wharves have contributed to the charm and tranquility of Hoi An ancient town - a place where every tourist wants to stop to explore and preserve memorable moments.

Unmissable highlights in Hoi An ancient town

Ancient houses

Hoi An is famous for its ancient houses built from the 17th to 19th centuries, bearing the mark of time with yellow walls, mossy tiled roofs and intricately carved wooden doors. Walking on the small streets, you will feel the peaceful, ancient space, as if returning to an old memory. Places such as Tan Ky Ancient House and Phung Hung Ancient House preserve many cultural, historical and traditional architectural values, helping visitors better understand the lives of generations of ancient Hoi An people.

Chua Cau - Symbol of Hoi An

Chua Cau, also known as the Japanese Bridge, is one of the prominent architectural symbols of Hoi An ancient town. Built by Japanese merchants in the 17th century, this unique covered bridge is a testament to the cultural exchange between Vietnam and Japan. With its ancient, harmonious beauty and profound historical value, Chua Cau is a check-in point not to be missed when exploring Hoi An.

Releasing flower lanterns on the Hoai River

A special experience that any visitor should try when coming to Hoi An is releasing flower lanterns on the Hoai River. Every evening, hundreds of flower lanterns shimmer on the water, creating a magical, poetic scene and meaning to wish luck and peace for yourself and your family. This is also an opportunity for you to feel the spiritual beauty and the typical peace of the ancient town.

Chinese Assembly Halls

It is impossible not to mention the Chinese Assembly Halls such as the Fujian Assembly Hall and the Guangdong Assembly Hall - unique architectural works, clearly showing the influence of the Chinese community in Hoi An. Each assembly hall has its own style of decoration, worship and meaning, is a place to preserve many cultural and religious values and is an ideal stop for those who love to explore the history and diverse culture of the ancient town.

These unique features are the reason why Hoi An ancient town always retains its strong attraction to domestic and foreign tourists, and at the same time contributes to making Hoi An tourism brand famous worldwide.

Hoi An cuisine - Unforgettable rich flavors

Hoi An cuisine is one of the indispensable highlights when mentioning Hoi An tourism. This place not only attracts tourists with its ancient streets, but also with dishes with strong Central flavors, crystallized from history, culture and creativity of local people. Discovering Hoi An cuisine is a journey to fully experience the identity of the ancient town, from famous dishes to rustic snacks, all of which leave an unforgettable aftertaste in the hearts of diners.

Cao Lau - The soul of Hoi An cuisine

Cao Lau is a typical dish, considered the "soul" of Hoi An cuisine. The golden, chewy noodles are made from traditional Ba Le well water, combined with char siu, crispy pork rinds, fresh green vegetables and rich sauce. Each ingredient is meticulously prepared, creating a unique flavor that cannot be found anywhere else. Enjoying a bowl of Cao Lau in the heart of the old town, you will feel the cultural exchange and creative spirit of Hoi An people through each noodle and each piece of meat.

Hoi An Bread – Legendary Delicacy

Hoi An bread has been praised as “the best bread in the world” because of the wonderful combination of crispy crust and rich filling. Rich pate, fragrant grilled meat, crispy cucumber, fresh herbs and special sauce create a quick meal that is both convenient and attractive. Each bakery in Hoi An has its own secret, but the common point is the harmony in flavor, making anyone who has tried it want to come back to enjoy it again.

Mixed Sweet Soup & Snacks

Besides the main dishes, Hoi An is also famous for snacks such as banh beo, banh dap, hen sauteed and mixed sweet soup. These dishes are not only delicious, affordable but also have a rustic flavor, close to the daily life of the people in the old town. In particular, mixed sweet soup with a combination of many types of beans, jelly, coconut milk... is an ideal choice to cool down after a day of exploring Hoi An.

Hoi An Chicken Rice

Hoi An Chicken Rice is a simple dish but conquers diners with its delicate flavor. The chicken is boiled until just cooked, shredded and mixed with onions, Vietnamese coriander, served with fragrant sticky rice cooked from chicken broth and special sauce. All create a dish that is both rich and light, very suitable to enjoy at any time of the day.

Hoi An cuisine is the bridge between the past and the present, between local culture and international exchange, leaving in the hearts of visitors unforgettable impressions of an ancient but vibrant land.

Hoi An is also a place for you to learn how to appreciate and preserve traditional values, from maintaining public hygiene, respecting local culture to experiencing slowly and communicating friendly with the locals. It is these little things that have contributed to creating the lasting beauty and long-lasting attraction of the ancient town - a heritage not only of Vietnam but also of all mankind.

Let the journey to discover Hoi An with AVT Travel become a beautiful memory in your life - where every step is a time to touch the depth of culture, every experience is a time to understand and love more about the country and people of Vietnam.