According to eZine Religion, Hoi An is one of the most beautiful centrally located cities on the coast of Vietnam. A few centuries ago, Hoi An was an important port city where a lot of trade was conducted. For a long time, the city was also divided into two parts. Since the Japanese bridge was built, this was a thing of the past. Hoi An is a very nice city to visit. The historic part of the city is very lively and full of fun and interesting sights. Hoi An’s history is kept alive through various museums, old colonial homes and other cultural heritage. Since Hoi An’s listing on Unesco’s World Heritage List, the city is also much better maintained. People are now aware of the wonderful history that was built up here. The trade in silk, ceramics, lanterns, frankincense and cinnamon has given the city a great deal of prominence. And now it is still for sale in various places. Hoi An is ideally suited to look for nice souvenirs. Much is made here by hand and is often of good quality. In addition, there are very nice places in Hoi An where you can enjoy excellent food. A visit to this pleasant city on the water should certainly not be missed during your stay in Vietnam. Much is made here by hand and is often of good quality. In addition, there are very nice places in Hoi An where you can enjoy excellent food. A visit to this pleasant city on the water should certainly not be missed during your stay in Vietnam. Much is made here by hand and is often of good quality. In addition, there are very nice places in Hoi An where you can enjoy excellent food. A visit to this pleasant city on the water should certainly not be missed during your stay in Vietnam.
Top 10 places to visit in Hoi An
#1. Historic city center
A walk through the historic center of Hoi An is an experience in itself. The center consists of a few main streets from which various side streets lead you to other sights. For a small fee you get access to this most popular part of Hoi An. The tickets are also valid for visiting some historical sites in the city. The most interesting sights can be found on the Tran Phu. This street is also called the main street of the historic center. Here you will mainly find nice shops and, among other things, the Museum for Trade Ceramics, the community house Phuc Kien, Museum for Sa Huynh Culture, Quan Cong Pagoda and the Japanese Bridge ‘Chua Cau’. Other interesting streets in the old center are: Nguyen Thai Hoc, with the historic house of Quan Thang. And Le Loi and Bach Dang streets. From the Bach Dang you have a beautiful view of the Thu Bon River.
#2. Central market
The central market of Hoi An is located directly on the Thu Bon River. All kinds of fresh goods are displayed and sold here. Among the products are mostly local products, including the colorful dragon fruit ‘pitaya’, mandarins, bok choy, bananas, limes, fresh herbs and of course rice. The bustle around the market is also an experience. There is pressure to negotiate and it is ensured that the products are in good condition. Ladies walk here and there with sticks over their shoulders and on each side a bowl with their merchandise. Without being very pushy, they offer their merchandise while walking.
#3. Japanese Bridge
At the end of the popular Tran Phu street you will automatically come across the seventeenth century Japanese Bridge. After showing your entrance ticket, which you purchased at the entrance to the old center, you may enter the historic bridge. The bridge was built in the seventeenth century to stimulate trade between the Japanese inhabitants and the Chinese quarter. When you enter the bridge from the Tran Phu, you first see the statue of a dog inside. This statue stands here as a kind of altar. Incense is regularly lit and money is donated. From the other side you will find a statue of a monkey. Both animals represent a Chinese year. Because the bridge was built for three years from the Japanese side, it is true that you see a monkey at the beginning and a dog at the end. The year in between is that of the rooster. In the center of the bridge is an altar where the Taoist god ‘Bac De’ receives offerings.
#4. My Son Ruins
The ancient Cham town of My Son is a jewel in Vietnam’s history. This temple complex, which is located about seventy kilometers west of Hoi An, has beautiful shrines that date back to between the fourth and thirteenth centuries. The temples represent an important place in Hinduism in Vietnam. Of the nearly seventy original temples, a few can still be visited in reasonably good condition. Although many temples are nothing more than ruins, this place is really worth it. The mountainous surroundings and the remnants, partly covered with green plants, give this special place a mysterious appearance.
#5. Cycling through the rice fields
The best way to explore the landscape and the city of Hoi An is by bicycle. Where many cities in Vietnam seem very chaotic, it is a completely different story in Hoi An. The historic part of the city is even car-free. From the center of Hoi An you can cycle to the rice fields and the landscape behind in a short time. You often see farmers with typical straw pointed hats working on their land and you may even find a farmer walking with his buffalo. Most rice fields are in a family for extended periods. These are passed on to new generations through legacies. In Vietnam you regularly see graves in the field. This is almost always from relatives of the owner. It brings them luck, or so they think. Processing and harvesting the rice is often a tough job that is largely done by hand. Usually no machine is used for plowing, but this is done the old-fashioned way with a buffalo.
#6. An Bang Beach
It is very easy to cycle from Hoi An to the beautiful sandy beach of An Bang. The distance will be about four kilometers. On the beach there are nice beach bars and beach bars where you can order something to eat or drink. Sun loungers are also available. If there is a strong current, it is clearly indicated that you are not allowed to swim. An Bang beach is a pleasant beach where you can relax. There are several nice eateries to discover both on the beach and along the coast.
#7. Tan Ky house
On Nguyen Thai Hoc street you can visit a traditional eighteenth century Vietnamese house from history. The house has various pieces of furniture and objects, some of which date from the seventeenth century. There are clear traces of Chinese, Japanese and Vietnamese architectural styles in the design of the house as well as in the furnishings. You can admire four rooms, including a bedroom and living room. The Tan Ky house is the oldest house certified as National Heritage of Hoi An.
#8. The tailors of Hoi An
Fashion lovers can purchase a completely new wardrobe that is made to measure at very affordable prices. Hoi An has many sewing workshops and clothing stores that work out your design at affordable rates. One of the largest workshops is located on Nguyen Duy Hieu street at number 358. Downstairs you can learn how silk fabrics are woven. Hoi An used to be an international port city where a lot of silk was traded. The process of the silk caterpillar is explained in detail here and also how this eventually ends up in silk thread. An exciting process. Upstairs you can then admire all kinds of clothing designs, browse folders with various designs and select the fabrics by color. Elsewhere in the city, several clothing stores are equipped with their own sewing workshop. Here too, the possibilities for tailor-made suits and/or dresses seem limitless.
#9. Museum of Commercial
Ceramics In the historic center of Hoi An, you can visit a museum with pottery. The museum is located on Tran Phu Street. In the small museum of commercial ceramics you can admire a variety of pottery, some of which date from between the sixteenth and eighteenth centuries. The museum is a bit outdated, but still shows a certain era. On the top floor you can enjoy a beautiful view of the city of Hoi An.
#10. Quang Cong Pagoda
The beautiful Quang Cong Pagoda is located in the heart of the historic city. It is therefore one of the most famous temples in Hoi An. It was built around the 17th century by Vietnamese and Chinese immigrants known as the Ming Huong people. Above the main altar is the image of the Chinese commander and patron Quan Cong. The temple was mainly used by sailors and other visitors who came to Hoi An to trade. They often made offerings to the gods to pray for safe travels and good luck in trade.
