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Hoi An Travel Guide
Chinese Assembly Halls in Hoi An Old Town, Vietnam
Hoi An has 5 assembly halls and all of them belong to Chinese communities. Because of their large importance, they have a grand architecture with sophisticated decorations that are made by the most skilled local craftsmen, good to see and
Trung Hoa Assembly Hall – Best Things to See in Hoi An Old Town
Within the Hoi An Old Town, Trung Hoa Assembly Hall is also known as ‘Five Communities Assembly Hall’ because it’s used as the common hall for all of the five Chinese communities in town. Because of the small population, Hakka
Teochew Assembly Hall – Best Things to See in Hoi An Old Town
Within the Hoi An Old Town World Heritage Area, Teochew Assembly Hall is the most important place for the Chinese Teochew community in Hoi An. It’s used to worship Ma Yuan, a real figure in ancient China and later becoming
Hainan Assembly Hall – Best Things to See in Hoi An Old Town
The Hainan Assembly Hall is one of five Chinese assembly halls in Hoi An Old Town, Vietnam. It’s owned and has been used by Hainan people (coming from Hainan Island) to worship 108 ‘Hainan brothers’ who bless safe journeys. Because
Fujian Assembly Hall – Best Things to See in Hoi An Old Town
The Fujian Assembly Hall is one of Chinese assembly halls and temples in Hoi An Old Town. It’s built and has been used by Fujian people who migrated to the town some hundreds of years ago. Here, their community worships
Cantonese Assembly Hall – Best Things to See in Hoi An Old Town
The Cantonese Assembly Hall (or Quang Trieu Assembly Hall) is one of the largest Chinese assembly halls and temples in Hoi An. It has been used to worship Quan Cong, a military general in ancient China who later becomes god.
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Hoi An Basket Boat Ride: Location, Time, Cost, Tours & More
[Updated in November 2024] ‘Basket boat’ is a small round bamboo boat used by fishermen in central Vietnam, including Hoi An. Here, locals use it to carry visitors to explore the water coconut forests and participate in fascinating activities on
Hoi An Self Guided Walking Tour: The Best Old Town Itinerary
The Hoi An Old Town is a Unesco heritage site in Vietnam. The best way to explore it is walking and in many hours of the day, its main streets are just for pedestrians. The best attractions and historical sites
Hoi An’s Countryside – Non-Touristy Things to Do in Hoi An
Hoi An’s countryside is as stunning as Hoi An’s Old Town. It’s part of the Thu Bon River Delta that stretches around an area of 450,000 km2. Here, visitors can see peaceful villages, vast green or yellow rice fields, calm
Hoi An Lantern Boat Ride: Location, Timing, Prices, Tours & More
[Updated in November 2024] When the sun goes down, the boat ride on the Hoai River is one of things not to miss in Hoi An. It’s popularly known as ‘Hoi An lantern boat ride’ because people will release paper
My Son Sanctuary Travel Guide – World Heritage Site in Vietnam
My Son Sanctuary is a complex of ancient Hindu temples and ruins, a Unesco world heritage site, and a popular tourist attraction in Da Nang/Hoi An. It served as the holy land for Cham kings to worship Shiva God, from
Hoi An Old Town Travel Guide – World Heritage Site in Vietnam
[Updated in November 2024] The Hoi An Old Town (or Hoi An Ancient Town) is the most famous tourist attraction in Hoi An city, Vietnam. It’s a well-preserved trading port dating back from the 15th to 19th centuries, with yellow
Quick facts about Hoi An
Area | Population | Time zone | Currency |
60 km2 | 152,160 | GMT +07:00 | Vietnam dong (VND) |
Official languages | Best time to visit | Days to stay | Tour operator |
Vietnamese | March-August | 3 | HOIAN DAY TRIP Limited Company |
Hoi An on Map
JAPANESE BRIDGE - SYMBOL OF HOI AN
The Japanese Covered Bridge stands as the definitive architectural and historical symbol of Hoi An. Originally constructed in the early 17th century by Japanese merchants, this iconic stone and wooden structure gracefully spans a small canal in the heart of the Ancient Town. It features a unique integration of a functional bridge and a Buddhist temple, adorned with elaborate carvings and protective animal statues. Reflecting a beautiful blend of Japanese, Vietnamese, and Chinese craftsmanship, the bridge serves as a timeless monument to Hoi An’s rich heritage as a peaceful, multicultural trading port.
CHAM ISLANDS - WORLD BIOSPHERE RESERVE
The Cham Islands (Cù Lao Chàm) constitute a stunning archipelago recognized as a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve. Located just 15 kilometers off the coast of Hoi An, this cluster of eight pristine islands is celebrated for its exceptional marine biodiversity and lush tropical landscapes. The surrounding waters protect thriving coral reefs, extensive seagrass beds, and hundreds of marine species, making it a premier sanctuary for eco-tourism, snorkeling, and scuba diving. The islands perfectly illustrate a successful balance between environmental conservation and traditional fishing community life, offering an idyllic, protected escape into nature’s raw beauty.
CAO LAU - CULINARY SYMBOL OF HOI AN
Cao Lau reigns as the ultimate culinary symbol of Hoi An, a legendary noodle dish woven into the town’s history. True authenticity relies on strict local secrets: the thick, chewy rice noodles must be mixed with ash from trees on the nearby Cham Islands and cooked using water drawn exclusively from the ancient Ba Le Well. This labor-intensive process gives the noodles their signature texture and smoky, yellowish hue. Topped with tender slices of barbecue pork (xa xiu), crisp local greens, fresh herbs, and crunchy rice crackers, Cao Lau delivers an irreplaceable taste of local heritage.
