Hoi An Ancient Town (shortly Hoi An) is a world heritage site in Quang Nam province, Vietnam. It’s inscribed by Unesco – the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization in 1999. In this year and the same province, My Son Sanctuary which has majestic Cham towers, received the title as well. Since then, both places have become must see attractions in the area. Now, HoiAn Day Trip Company tells you the reasons why Hoi An is a world heritage site.
You may also like: My Son Sanctuary World Heritage Site
• Content by Tam Le, founder of HOIAN DAY TRIP CO.,LTD
• Designed by Giang Cong Minh, co-founder of LS E&C LTD and his team
• Photo by Dang Cong Loi, Dao Xuan Son, Tam Le & others
History of Hoi An Ancient Town
From the 2nd to early 14th century, there was an important port on the same location to present-day Hoi An Ancient Town, under administration of Champa kings. Its name at that time was ‘Champapura’ which means ‘City of Chams’.
In 1306, when the marriage of Vietnamese princess Huyen Tran and Champa king Che Man (Jaya Simhavarman III) occurred, the territory of Champa kingdom in the north of Thu Bon River was officially owned by Vietnamese people. Hoi An was in this area.
Between the 15th and 19th centuries, Hoi An played its role as an international trading port where Vietnamese people met foreign merchants to trade a variety of products. Merchants came from China, Japan, and Europe. During this period, Hoi An was one of the most wealthy ports in Southeast Asia. Its name means ‘peaceful meeting place’ and was given from the lord.
In 1999, Hoi An was inscribed to be a world heritage site by Unesco.
Universal Outstanding Values of Hoi An
To be inscribed as a world heritage site, a place needs to meet at least one of 10 criterias of ‘universal outstanding values’ (OUV), besides ‘integrity’ and ‘authencity’ conditions. According to Unesco, the OUV means cultural and/or natural significance which is so exceptional as to transcend national boundaries and to be of common importance for present and future generations of all humanity.
For Unesco, the Hoi An Ancient Town has two universal outstanding values:
Criterion (ii): Hoi An is an outstanding material manifestation of the fusion of cultures over time in an international commercial port.
When Hoi An was an international trading port, it attracted people from other regions of the country and other countries in the world. They have different cultures, speaking language, inscriptions, religions and beliefs, cuisine, costume,… Major populations in the town are Vietnamese, Chinese, Japanese, Dutch, Portuguese, and French. The most populous foreigner communities are Chinese and Japanese.
Nowadays, visitors can see a collection of diverse cultural heritages in the Hoi An Ancient Town, such as the Japanese Bridge (that was built by Japanese people, rebuilt by Chinese people, Vietnamese carpenters and builders), Chinese assembly halls and temples, Vietnamese family chapels, communal houses, and shrines, Japanese merchants’s tomb, Chinese ancient tombs, Buddhist temples, Catholic church, Protestant church, temples of Caodaism (retains elements from Vietnamese folk religions, ancestor worship, Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism, Roman Catholicism). In local culinary culture, Cao Lau is known as the fusion between Vietnamese, Chinese, and Japanese cuisines. It’s a dish of noodle sticks (which are thick, brown, and more chewy than Vietnamese rice vermicelli but closer to Chinese and Japanese noodles), char siu pork, savoury sauce, rice cracker, raw vegetables and herbs. Banh Mi sandwich is a mix between French baguette and Vietnamese ingredients.
Criterion (v): Hoi An is an exceptionally well-preserved example of a traditional Asian trading port.
Nowadays, the Hoi An Ancient Town still retains its townscape and its role as a center of commerce in the region. Trading quarters, town planning, and landmarks are exceptionally well-preserved although the town stopped being a port in the 19th century. There are 1,360 traditional buildings remaining here, including bridges, markets, assembly halls, temples, pagodas, family chapels, shophouses, wells, and more. Amongst them, the collection of houses and shophouses is largest in number (1,069 monuments in total). They have brick walls, a tile roof, wooden frame and furniture, one or two storeys and one or two entrances. They are also long in length and short in width.
The town planning of Hoi An has not changed. It’s featured by roads running from east to west and parallel to each other and to the river/quay. Additionally, there is a group of roads and alleyways set at a right angle to them. This checkerboard plan supports loading and off-loading of goods as well as trading activities. In the east end of horizontal roads, there is an open market that is still in use today.
Because of these exceptionally well-preserved townscapes, Hoi An is the best example of a traditional human settlement in Asia.
How to Preserve Hoi An Ancient Town World Heritage
Protection Areas
Hoi An Ancient Town World Heritage Site has a ‘core zone’ and a ‘buffer zone’ that surrounds the core zone.
Core zone of the Hoi An Ancient Town spans 30 hectares, with the Hoai River to the south, Cao Hong Lanh Road to the west, Phan Chu Trinh Road to the north, and Truong Minh Luong Road to the east. This zone has all best preserved streets/quarters and all heritage buildings lining them. There are Tran Phu Street (which has Japanese Covered Bridge, Cantonese Assembly Hall, Duc An Old House, Quan Thang Old House, Trung Hoa Assembly Hall, Fujian Assembly Hall, Quan Cong Temple, Quan Am Pagoda, Hoi An Central Market, Minh Huong Communal House, Hainan Assembly Hall), Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street (which has Phung Hung Old House, Cam Pho Communal House, Nguyen Tuong Family Chapel), Nguyen Thai Hoc Street (which has Tan Ky Old House), Phan Chu Trinh Street (which has Tran Family Chapel, Ba Le Well), Hai Ba Trung Street (which has Phap Bao Pagoda, Ba Mu Temple), Le Loi Street (which has Hoi An Communal House), Nguyen Duy Hieu Street (which has Teochew Assembly Hall), Phan Boi Chau St, Cong Nu Ngoc Hoa St, Bach Dang St, Nguyen Hue St.
Since 1999, over time, almost all streets in the core zone of the Hoi An Ancient Town WHS have been designated as ‘pedestrian and non-motorized vehicles streets’. This designation is to prohibit motorbikes and cars which can harm visitors, reduce pollution and noise, enhance visitor’s experience, and improve local inhabitant’s income. See more information & details
Ticketing
To fund preservation, management, and restoration activities, tourists will pay ‘Hoi An Ancient Town ticket’ to enter the world heritage area. It costs 120,000 VND for foreign adults and children above 15 years old. Additionally, besides sightseeing the town, ticket holders can go in 5 heritage buildings/museums or a theatre to watch Vietnamese traditional art performances. Holders can use this ticket pass during the whole time at Hoi An, instead of one day as shown on the ticket. See more information & details
Classification
Based on the level of preservation and architectural/historical values, buildings inside the core zone of Hoi An world heritage area are classified into 5 categories. The highest category is ‘special’ and given to buildings which have an unchanged architecture and layout as well as unique features (such as decorations, old artifacts, etc). Buildings in which architecture and interior are unchanged, are tagged ‘Class 1’. Class 2 is given to buildings in which the front hall (lining the street) is still preserved. Class 3 is given to buildings which still have a tile roof. Lastly, Class 4 is given to the remaining buildings. Different classes will have higher or lower levels of financial and technical support.
Restoration
When want to restore a building in the core zone of Hoi An world heritage area, the owner will need to follow these steps:
Step 1: fill a report form which has a red color (showing the zone where the building is located) to let the government know necessary information.
Step 2: provide land and house ownership certificates as well as pictures about places that the owner wants to restore or modify.
Step 3: provide the draft on which places that the owner wants to restore or modify are shown.
Step 4: wait for the final approval from local authorities (after their on-site checking, meetings and receiving advice).
Itinerary to Visit Hoi An Old Town for First Timer
First of all, to enter and visit the Hoi An Old Town (the part inscribed by Unesco), visitors need to buy an entry ticket. Its price is 120,000 VND per adult and children above 15 years old and free of charge for smaller kids. Entry to 5 attractions is also included for free. See more information & details
If possible, first time visitors should go with a local guide, to know better about history and culture. Contact us by +84968009827 (call/whatsapp) to book a private English-speaking guide.
We suggest this itinerary for first timers:
Total distance: 1,65 kilometers
– Starting point: the Japanese style gate (the west end of Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street). A model of the Red Seal Ship (Japanese merchant’s ship) and a ticket office are in a close distance.
– Walk along Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street. On this road, visitors will have the chance to sightsee Cam Pho Communal House (ticket required), Japanese Culture Gallery (ticket required), Phung Hung Old House (one of the best heritage houses, ticket required), Nguyen Tuong Family Chapel (in the alleyway, ticket required).
– Visit the Japanese Covered Bridge, the symbol of Hoi An. This place definitely is a must see attraction.
– Walk along Tran Phu Street, the most beautiful road in Hoi An, until Hoi An Central Market. On this road, visitors will have the chance to sightsee so many historical attractions. From the bridge to the market, there are Cantonese Assembly Hall (ticket required), Museum of Sa Huynh Culture (ticket required), Duc An Old House (ticket required), Kazik Park (free), Quan Thang Old House (ticket required), Museum of Trade Ceramics (ticket required), Trung Hoa Assembly Hall (ticket required), Fujian Assembly Hall (ticket required), Quan Cong Temple (ticket required), Quan Am Pagoda (ticket required), Hoi An Central Market (free to enter), a couple of rooftop coffee shops, Instagrammable spots, shophouses selling lanterns, food, souvenirs and fashion items.
– Walk southwards and along Tieu La Street (east side of Hoi An Central Market). On this road, there are many vendors and stalls selling a diversity of local products, giving a good chance to know about local life and photograph.
– Walk westwards and along Bach Dang Street (the riverside street). On this road, visitors will see Hoi An Traditional Performance House (ticket required if want to watch shows) and Museum of Folklore (ticket required).
– Turn into Le Loi Street and then turn left, walking along Nguyen Thai Hoc Street. On this road, visitors will see Tan Ky Old House (one of the best heritage houses, ticket required) and Diep Dong Nguyen Old House (not yet opened to visitors, see from outside).
– The ending point: the crossroad near the north end of An Hoi Bridge or the west end of Nguyen Thai Hoc Street. In the evening, from here, visitors can walk cross the bridge and then turn right to see the entrance of the Hoi An Night Market, the biggest night market in Hoi An.
For more information and details, please browse https://hoiandaytrip.com/hoi-an-self-guided-walking-tour
Guided Tours to Hoi An Ancient Town Vietnam
From Hoi An
– Hoi An Old Town Walking Tour – 2 Hour Express Tour with Local
– Hoi An Half Day Walking Tour: Heritage Sites, Crafts & Show
– Hoi An Early Morning Walking Tour with Local Pho & Coffee
– Hoi An Afternoon Walking Tour + Thu Bon River Sunset Cruise
– Hoi An Night Tour from Hoi An: Lantern Boat, Markets & Food
– Hoi An Walking Tour with Sightseeing & Cooking Class
– Hoi An Late Afternoon Walking Tour with Local Food Tastings
– Hoi An Walking Tour with Thanh Ha Pottery Village by Boat
– Hoi An Instagram Tour: Best Photo Spots & Rooftop Café
– Hoi An Old Town Food Tour with Night Boat Ride
– Hoi An Old Town Private Walking Tour with Local Expert (4 hours duration from departure time)
HOIAN DAY TRIP CO.,LTD daily organizes tours in Hoi An and Da Nang. Contact us by +84968009827 (hotline/whatsapp/line/zalo) or browse www.hoiandaytrip.com to see tours and make a reservation. Thank you very much!
From Da Nang
– Hoi An Half Day Tour from Da Nang
– Hoi An Night Tour from Da Nang
– Marble Mountain & Hoi An Day Tour from Da Nang
– Marble Mountain & Hoi An Night Tour from Da Nang
– Marble Mountain & Hoi An Highlights Tour
– Marble Mountain, Lady Buddha & Hoi An Day Tour from Da Nang
– Hoi An Day Tour from Da Nang with Chinese Speaking Guide
– My Son Sanctuary & Hoi An Tour from Da Nang
– Golden Bridge/Ba Na Hills Tour & Hoi An Tour from Da Nang
– Marble Mountain & Hoi An Tour from Da Nang Cruise Port
– Marble Mountain & Hoi An Tour from Chan May Cruise Port
HOIAN DAY TRIP CO.,LTD daily organizes tours in Hoi An and Da Nang. Contact us by +84968009827 (hotline/whatsapp/line/zalo) or browse www.hoiandaytrip.com to see tours and make a reservation. Thank you very much!
Places to Visit in Hoi An Ancient Town
– Bridges: Japanese Covered Bridge (Pagoda Bridge), Moonlight Bridge, An Hoi Bridge (Bridge of Lights), Cam Nam Bridge, Cam Kim Metal Bridge
– Museums: Museum of Sa Huynh Culture, Museum of Sa Folklore, Museum of Trade Ceramics, Museum of Traditional Medicine, Hoi An Museum of History & Culture, Japanese Culture Gallery, Black Sesame Soup Demonstration
– Chinese assembly halls: Cantonese Assembly Hall, Fujian Assembly Hall, Trung Hoa Assembly Hall, Hainan Assembly Hall, Teochew Assembly Hall
– Heritage houses: Tan Ky Old House, Phung Hung Old House, Duc An Old House, Quan Thang Ancient House, Diep Dong Nguyen House, Thai Phien Ancient House
– Temples & pagodas: Quan Cong Temple (Ong Pagoda), Ba Mu Temple, Phap Bao Pagoda, Quan Am Pagoda, Hoi An Confucius Temple, Cao Dai Temple of Hoi An, Hoi An Ancestral Temple, Cam Pho Confucius Temple, Minh Huong Confucius Temple, Vien Giac Pagoda, Hy Hoa Temple
– Family chapels: Tran Family Chapel, Nguyen Tuong Family Chapel
– Communal houses: Cam Pho Communal House, Hoi An Communal House, Minh Huong Communal House, Tu Le Communal House, Xuan Lam Communal House, Son Phong Communal House
– Markets: Hoi An Central Market, Hoi An Cloth/Fabric Market, Hoi An Night Market (Nguyen Hoang Night Market), Cam Pho Market
– Theatres: Hoi An Traditional Art Performance House, Hoi An Lune Center for Performing Arts (now where Teh Dar Show takes place), Hoi An Memories Land Theme Park (now where Hoi An Memories Show takes place)
– Famous streets: Tran Phu Street, Phan Chu Trinh Street, Nguyen Thai Hoc Street, Bach Dang Street/Wharf, Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street, Cong Nu Ngoc Hoa Street, Phan Boi Chau Street (Hoi An French Quarter), Hoi An Lantern Streets
– Other points of interest: Red Seal Ship Model, Hoi An Evanlegical Church, Thong Dang Prison & Park, Kazik Park (Memory Statue of Kazimierz Kwiatkowski), Hoai River (Hoi An River), Song Hoai Square, An Hoi Sculpture Park, Hoi An Catholic Church, Hoi An Prison, Hoi An Central Park, Ba Le Well, Hoi An Book Street, Hoi An Lantern Park, An Hoi Island, Cam Nam Island, Thu Bon River, Da Ken Tree
Photos, Videos about Hoi An Ancient Town World Heritage Site
Here are beautiful photos and videos about Hoi An:
