Hoi An is an old town down the Thu Bon River, on the coastal plain of Quang Nam Province, 30 km south of Danang. The architectural significance of Hoi An has been recognized by UNESCO, during the 23rd Congress which took place in Marrakech (Morocco) from the 29th of November to the 4th of December, since the town was officially listed as a World Heritage Site.

After a long period of absence from the tourist map, this tiny town started to draw the attention of visitors and researchers since the beginning of the 1980’s. This little port town, as special as any visitor will claim, is in an incredible state of preservation. It offers some of the most densely concentrated sights in Vietnam with old streets bordered with ancient houses and assembly halls, pagodas, temples, ancient wells and tombs. The architecture of Hoi An is characterized by a harmonious blend of Vietnamese, Chinese and Japanese influences. After centuries, the town is still respectful of its traditions, folk festivals, and its sophisticated culinary art. To be counted, more than a thousand places of interest are gathered in this tiny old town, await your visit.

While wandering the old streets of Hoi An, do not miss your chance to have a tailor made pair of shoes or trousers or a traditional Ao dai. Hoi An is by far the best and quickest place to get your new clothes and head up for the next destination. You may like to select a style from a magazine photo, or take in a favorite piece of clothing for copying. Being promoted as such, the tailor profession here stems deeply from the past of a country’s commercial centre, and gradually find its way to be an important part in Hoi An’s tourism services.

Set in a quiet environment, Hoi An is surrounded by peaceful villages, a calm river, sea and sunny beaches. Farmers are working on their field and fishmen are working with their net, in Hoi An one can just open the window of their bungalow in a beach resort and look outside for a picturesque agriculture scene. 20 minutes on a leisure cycling, one can easily head to Cua Dai beach, one of the best and most favorable beaches along the coastal line of Vietnam. Offshore, Cu Lao Cham Islands are well known for sheltering their prized birds’ nests as well as ranges of coral reef that mesmerizes any diver.
The various Chinese communities, Japanese, and French, amongst others, have had their influence on Hoi An’s cuisine, creating a range of unique and delicious dishes. Specialties Hoi An has to offer include ‘Cao Lau’, thick rice flour noodles are served with a handful of bean sprouts and greens, pork croutons and slices, ‘Banh Bao Banh Vac’ or ‘White Rose’, delicate steamed rice flour dumplings of finely diced crab or shrimp topped with lime juice, fish sauce and onion flake and Com Ga’ translates simply as ‘rice chicken’, and can be found at pavement stalls throughout Hoi An.