Hoi An Ancient Town
Located in Quang Nam province, Hoi An is a small beautiful city lies on the banks of the Thu Bon River. In 16th century, Hoi An city was one of the most famous trading port. From 13th century, when Quang Nam - Da Nang area was still the center of Champa Kingdom, the port of Hoi An had contact with Persian, Arab, India and Chinese merchants. During the 16th century, the Nguyen Lords fostered international trade in the Da Nang area, the port of Hoi An once again welcomed Japanese, Indian and Chinese traders traveling between China and India.
Hoi An city was almost totally destroyed during 1770s at the time of the Tay Son Revolt, but later it was rebuilt and continued to serve as a commercial port until one hundred years ago when the Thu Bon River begin slitting up, then Quang Nam – Da Nang’s commerce gradually shifted north to the bay of Danang, at the mouth of the Han River. The town that we see today came mainly from the 15th, but there are some features from much earlier. Hoi An city is famous for its preservation of original Chinese templates, the Japanese bridge and the imposing homes of rich merchants from the past. Some of these remarkable residences are open for visitors to see ad to study their traditional architecture.
Hoi An city was declared a world heritage site by UNESCO in 1990 as a well-preserved example of Southeast Asian Trading Port. And today Hoi An city is also a famous tourist attraction of Vietnam.
Click on each pictures of Hoi An city below to see it in a full-size with detailed description.
The most impressive of architecture of Hoi An is Japanese Bridge. It was built in 1593 by Japanese community. Japanese bridge has altars with guardians on both ends; Monkey in one side and Dogs on the other. There is also small template in the middle of the bridge.
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