Hoi An Walking Tour (Half Day)

The origins of Hoi An can be traced back nearly 2000 years ago, from the Sa Huynh culture 2nd century BC, before it became an important port for the Champa Kingdom from the 2nd to the 15th century. The trading port was built in the 15th and 16th centuries by Southern Vietnamese dynasty, then traders began to bring silk, pottery, ceramics, aloe-wood and swallow’s nests to East Asia, Southeast Asia, India and as far as Europe; ships from Spain, Portugal, Netherland (VOC company, The Dutch East India Company), France and England anchored here from 4 to 6 months every year to trade. The Nguyen rulers allowed the Chinese and Japanese to open shops, build streets and keep their customs. In the late of 16th century, there was a Chinese, a Japanese living quarter and a Dutch trading port. Hoi An was a confluence where East met West, paving the way for spreading of modern Latin-based scrips, Christianity and Buddhism in Vietnam. Today the town still remains more than 844 timber-frame Pagodas, assembly halls, clan houses and 200-year-old houses line the ancient streets.

There are two good things about Hoi An Old Town. First, it is small enough to get around on foot and second, the traffic is not as heavy as in bigger cities like Ha Noi, Ho Chi Minh and Da Nang. Some of the streets only allow bikes and car traffic and some are pedestrian only in some certain hours of the day. These factors make Hoi An more tranquil and charming for most travelers to Vietnam, especially those who started their trip from Ho Chi Minh or Hanoi city.

There are many amazing places to visit in the old quarter, located within walking distance of each other including: The Phuoc Kien Chinese assembly halls, Quang Dong (Chinese Cantonese) assembly halls, old houses such as the Tan Ky, Phung Hung ancient house, the Tran family home and chapel and the Sa Huynh museum, Hoi an historic museum or Hoi an trading ceramic museum. Walking within the Old Town area, it’s expected that all you have a Hoi An Old Town entrance ticket. This ticket allows you to explore Hoi An Old Town and the entry to 5 different sites and its numerous well-maintained heritage buildings.

One of most iconic attractions in Hoi An is the Japanese covered bridge, also known as Chua Cau (means pagoda bridge). This bridge has a fascinating history dating back to its construction in early of 16th century. Since then it has undergone few restorations. It is claimed that the bridge was built by the Japanese people who living in Hoi An as a way to reach the Chinese quarter across the canal.

The architecture of Hoi An ancient town is an unique example of blend of Chinese, Japanese, Portuguese, French and British traders. Hoi An also still maintained the richness of folk cultural diversity. Many buildings in the old town of Hoi An were constructed in wood over two centuries ago. It is necessary for them to be repaired at intervals, and so many buildings with basic structures from the 17th and 18th centuries were renewed in the 19th century, using traditional methods of repair. Another special, unique, and distinctive feature of ancient house in Hoi An is “door eyes” hung onto the upper part of main doors. These eyes are often carved with the eight trigrams; or eight-petal flower with Ying and Yang circle. This is absolutely unique in Hoi An. that door eye in Hoi An is a spiritual symbol. They are there to welcome friendly people, but also to send the evil spirit away to keep peace for the house and the family.

It’s now considered as a living museum of architecture and urban lifestyle and with its outstanding value, UNESCO has recognized the ancient town of Hoi An as a world cultural heritage in 1999.