1 Day

Hoi An Tour

Tour detail

Overview

Coming to Hoi An is like coming to a far gone past, where life remains slow and calm, where indifferent currents of time cannot erode its ambiance: a lovely town surrounded by rice paddy fields, by rivers, colored by colors of lanterns. Altogether, it feels like Hoi An is inviting us to a world kept intact from many centuries ago.

Geographically, Hoi An is blessed. Hoi An is one of a few coastal towns in Vietnam. It is located on the north bank of the lower Thu Bon River, has An Bang beach, and is 25km away from Da Nang city. This geographical feature turned Hoi An to a port town in the 16th century, and it continued to prosper from the 16-19th century, with a name as Faifo.

The fact that Hoi An started as a port town means right from the start it was a melting pot of cultures. From the 17th to 19th century, Chinese, Japanese, and Western merchants came to the town, bringing with them not only goods but also architectures, insights and ways of life. Travelers coming to Hoi An can still feel these influences manifesting themselves in many aspects of the coastal towns: in well-preserved old houses, in communal houses of Chinese and Japanese cities who resided here in the past, and its unique cuisine that blends both local and international elements.

Let’s together explore some notable attractions that Hoi An has to offer:

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Tour photos

CANTON ASSEMBLY HALL

Built in the end of the 19th century, Canton Assembly hall was initially used as a cultural and business meeting point for the Quang Dog community here. The whole architecture complex is colorful, elaborate, with an impressive entrance, a big dragon statue in the middle, and once you go deeper inside, you an see an altar dedicated to figures that are important to Chinese cultures here: first, to Confucius and the Goddess of Mercy, and later, to General Guan Yu.

Built in the end of the 19th century, Canton Assembly hall was initially used as a cultural and business meeting point for the Quang Dog community here

FUKIEN ASSEMBLY HALL

Fukien Assembly Hall was built in 1697 by the Fukien community in Hoi An. Similar to other assembly halls in town, Fukien assembly hall was used as a gathering place for merchants who lived here. The architecture is notable with a grand, colorful entrance. Inside, we can still see the table where Fukien people sat around to discuss business matters. There are also some sculpture works done by artisans in Kim Bong carpentry village.

In Spring, Fukien Assembly Hall is home to many colorful, vibrant festivals that honor traditions and cultures.

PHUNG HUNG OLD HOUSE

Phung Hung Old House was built in 1780 by a Vietnamese businessman, in a period where Hoi An prospered. The name “Phùng Hưng” itself also means wealth and prosperity.

It is a house with all wooden materials and there are altogether 80 ironwood pillars inside. The architectural style of Phung Hung old house is a blend of Vietnamese, Chinese and Japanese elements. When we step inside we can feel the influences of all: the casual feel of Vietnamese, elaborate ornaments of Chinese, and some smart ways to design that make the house very airy. Inside, many precious porcelain artifacts are still preserved well for visitors. The current owner of the house is the 8th generation descendant.

JAPANESE BRIDGE

The Japanese bridge is the only attraction in Hoi An that is represented on the back of the 200.000 VND note. It was built by Japanese business people in the 16th century as a way to connect with the Chinese community area in Hoi An town. This tiny village has a special architecture: a bridge with a temple on top, the middle used for wheeled vehicles, while two sides are used for pedestrians.

The entrance of the bridge has a phrase that means “welcome guests from faraway lands”, and indeed, this symbol of literal connection is also a symbol of cultural connections between Vietnamese and Japanese communities. In 1990, the Japanese bridge was recognized as a national heritage.

HOAI RIVER

Hoai river is a branch of Thu Bon river, and is associated with Hoi An’s beauty and prosperity. This is a conduit that connects Hoi An with the commerce flow between the 17th-19th centuries. Getting yourself on the boats on the river, you can admire old houses on both sides, visit small islands and islets, and feel both Hoi An’s nature and culture. During festivals, Hoai river looks glorious with thousands of colorful lanterns, as if bringing you to magical lands.

TRA QUE VILLAGE

Located 3 km away from the center of Hoi An town, Tra Que village is a tranquil village and a source of organic vegetables. There are nearly 300 households here who tend an area that plants various kinds of veggies and herbs: onion, dill, perilla, basil, coriander. When you come to Tra Que village, you can explore the garden, try different tasks of being a farmer, as well as enjoy cooking classes and try refreshing food made of various veggies.

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