Hoi An Ancient Town is an ancient town located in the lower reaches of the Thu Bon River, in the coastal plain of Quang Nam Province, Vietnam, about 30 km south of Da Nang City. Thanks to favorable geographical and climatic factors, Hoi An was once a bustling international trading port, a meeting place for Japanese, Chinese and Western merchant ships during the 17th and 18th centuries. Before this period, there were also traces of the Champa trading port, often mentioned along the maritime silk road. In the 19th century, due to inconvenient waterway transportation here, Hoi An port gradually declined, giving way to Da Nang, which was then being built by the French. Hoi An was fortunate to escape the devastation of two wars and the massive urbanization of the late 20th century. Starting in the 1980s, the architectural and cultural values of Hoi An ancient town gradually attracted the attention of scholars and tourists, becoming one of the most attractive tourist destinations in Vietnam.
The name “Hoi An” today was formed a long time ago in history, but it is difficult to determine exactly when it was born. According to author Duong Van An in the book O Chau Can Luc, in 1553, Dien Ban district had 66 communes, including Hoai Pho, Cam Pho, Lai Nghi communes, but the name Hoi An was not recorded.
Rise early and head to the beach and you’ll see vignettes of local life, from fishermen selling their catch to volleyball games. Dubbed the Venice Beach of Vietnam, among the 50 most beautiful beaches in the world in the group of “most vibrant beaches”, according to The Telegraph (UK), a former French colonial port where the US Marines first landed in 1965 but now a lively city with its own character. Famed for its amazing sunset views, head to Son Tra Mountain or Monkey Mountain for the best views of the sun disappearing into the coastline. But it’s the sands that are the main draw, shaded by palm trees and with warm waters to swim in. The mighty Dragon Bridge spans the River Han, breathing fire at weekends; the best views are from the Marble Mountains, where caves conceal Buddhist shrines, a cluster of five hills made from limestone and marble–famous for being a pilgrimage site composed of peaks, caves, and tunnels. And don’t miss the opportunity explore the famous Ba Na Hills tourist area with the Golden Bridge and the miniature European scenery of the French Village.
Da Nang is Vietnam’s fourth largest city located in the west coast. No trip to Da Nang is complete without a visit to the My Son Sanctuary, one of Vietnam’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Filled with historical temple sites and stone sculptures. And Hue Ancient Town Capital as the home of the country’s last royal family, its imperial citadel dominates the landscape, with ornate mausoleums along the riverbank, guarded by stone mandarins, and a jumble of palaces, temples and pavilions. It is indeed a sight to behold!
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