Hoi An Old Town

In 2021, Hoi An - a UNESCO world cultural heritage site since 1999 - was named Asia's Leading Cultural City Destination at the World Travel Awards.
Hoi An the charming town is packed with history and full of opportunities to create magical memories with its old-world architecture, cobbled streets, and distinctive yellow shop fronts festooned with colorful lanterns, it’s no wonder Hoi An’s considered one of the most beautiful places in all of Vietnam.
About Hoi An Old Town
Just downstream from Thu Bon River, Hoi An Ancient Town is located in the heart of Quang Nam province, about 30 kilometers to the south of Da Nang city. Not only is Hoi An Vietnam a famous tourist attraction, but also an architectural relic complex.
The town's historical significance is deeply rooted in its role as a thriving trading port from the 15th to the 20th century. During this period, Hoi An Ancient Town served as a vital hub for commerce, connecting European merchants with their Asian counterparts. Traders from China, Japan, and Portugal left their indelible marks on the town through a diverse array of architectural patterns. Recognizing the exceptional value of Hoi An Old Town, UNESCO designated it as a World Cultural Heritage site in 1999. This recognition underscores the town's status as a living museum, showcasing a wide range of construction designs and urban lifestyles from around the world.
Today, Old Town Hoi An has managed to retain its original charm and character, thanks to dedicated conservation efforts. Strict regulations and guidelines have been implemented to ensure that any restoration work or new constructions maintain the town's pure and oriental medieval style. This commitment to preservation has allowed visitors to experience the ambiance of a bygone era and gain insight into the historical significance of the town. Wandering through Hoi An Old Town, visitors will encounter an array of well-preserved structures, including ancient houses, assembly halls, pagodas, and temples.
Ancient Town Hoi An sparkles at night (Source: Collected)
Planning to visit Hội An? Here are some ideas to add to your itinerary…
Marvel at the beauty of the lantern festival
Hoi An Ancient Town - Location, opening hours, and entrance fees
If you just want to take a chill walk around the old town, enjoy Hoi An’s specialties or take beautiful pictures, there is no entrance fee. However, there are several cultural monuments that require entry tickets:
- Cultural constructions: Quan Cong Temple, Chua Cau (the Pagoda Bridge), etc...
- Ancient houses: Phung Hung ancient house, Duc An ancient house, etc...
- Church: Church of the Tran family, Church of the Nguyen family.
- Museums
Hoi An the famous check-in
Phung Hung ancient house
Over 100 years old, the Phung Hung house possesses a unique architecture. The high wooden ceiling and large corridors represent the development of architecture through the exchange among Asian architectural styles in Hoi An. This house exhibits a lot of information about the lifestyle of the merchants who lived in Hoi An in centuries past. Although being made from valuable woods, the Phung Hung house was intentionally left without the usual decorative and symbolic carvings. On the 29th of June 1993, this house was listed as a national historical relic.
Chua Cau (the Pagoda Bridge)
Back in the 15th century, Dutch, Chinese, Japanese, and Portuguese merchants began to settle around the port. As communities grew in different areas, so did their interactions. Around 1593, the Japanese built a bridge to link their neighborhood to the Chinese one. Some say the bridge was also meant to subdue Namazu, the mythical Japanese catfish creature believed to cause earthquakes. All these years later, the Japanese Covered Bridge still stands strong. The landmark even features on the 20,000 VND banknote – that’s how significant it is.
Chua Cau (the Pagoda Bridge)
Hoai River
Hoai River is a tributary of Thu Bon river which flows across Hoi An city and connects to other tourist attractions. A chilling boat trip on Hoai River is a popular activity on tourists’ must-do list. It is highly recommended that you go to Hoi An Ancient Town at night as with the lights from the houses, the whole riverbank becomes a glowing fairy land. Visitors can clearly feel the peaceful, gentle, and romantic vibe of Ancient Town Hoi An.
Take a boat tour
Lanterns releasing on Hoai River is also a meaningful ritual as it is to express gratitude to ancestors and to wish for a prosperous year. Full moon days (the 1st and 15th of the month according to the lunar calendar) arewhen “Old Town Hoi An trades its electric lights for traditional colorful lanterns”. Hoai River twinkles with the soft light of the lanterns, while thousands of candlelit paper flowers float across the water at night.
Lanterns releasing on Hoai River - (Photo by Cuong Art)
Great Things to do in Hoi An Ancient Town
- Walk Around Hoi An Ancient Town
- Kick back and sip on a Vietnamese Coffee
- Around Hoi An by cyclo or Cycle the Old Streets
- Get yourself a Hoi An Lantern
- Make Custom Clothes in the Ancient Town