Every city of Vietnam is popular worldwide for many reasons maybe for ancient sites, colourful streets, gleaming canals, floating markets or delicious cuisines. Among all the cities if talk about Hoi An then its ancient aura, lantern-lit beautiful streets, traditions and culture. Besides culture, it holds many beautiful temples and Pagodas, traditional markets, and interesting museums. You may found this little city of Vietnam offbeat for travel but it has treasures hidden in its soul!
Let’s uncover this offbeat yet hidden treasure of Vietnam – Hoi An in this blog
Quick Virtual Tour of Hoi An Ancient Town
Declared as UNESCO World Heritage Town – Hoi An lure travellers with its charm and magnificence. This town offers a breathtaking mix of ornate Chinese temples, a Japanese-designed bridge, wooden shop-houses, French-colonial houses, and old canals influenced by European dating back to the 16th century. You can have an amazing experience with the local culture, learn the history of the coastal town and spend some quality time with your loved ones in the romantic ambience at quaint villages.
Earlier known for being the trading post of south-eastern Asia, this vintage town is one of the best places to visit in Vietnam. The style and architecture of the buildings reflect a perfect blend of the east and west Vietnam.
Snap Pictures at Japanese Covered Bridge
Without a doubt, the city’s most snapped vistas came from the captivating Japanese Covered Bridge. This bridge dates back to the 18th century and showcases an excellent historical piece of Japanese architecture. It is believed that it was made by the Japanese who lived at Hoi An in that era for reaching the Chinese quarter across the water.
The bridge was opened in 1719 and has three Chinese symbols carved above the door in memorial. It also features the sculptures of two dogs and monkeys showcasing the Chinese years in which many Japanese Emperors ruled. The bridge stands as a symbol of Hoi An and remains as aesthetically pleasing as it was when it first opened.
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Adore Sunset at Cua Dai Beach
Among the five UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Vietnam, Cua Dai offers an unparalleled seaside escape from the ancient streets of Hoi An. Stretched around 3 km, this beach has deserted white sand and crystal blue water making it a perfect place to find serenity. With tropically blue waves the water is very calm and soft enough to swim and float.
On this beach, you can soak up in the daylight and enjoy shimmering lanterns with the cold breeze at night at the most stunning coastal shore of Cua Dai. This beach offers abundant space for everyone so can find your private area and be equipped as long as you want.
Visit the Oldest Shrine – Van Duc Pagoda
The Van Duc Pagoda dates backs to the end of the 1800s when people from around it worshipped Buddhist gods including Amitabha Buddha, Dia Tang Bodhisattva and Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva. Thus, this stunning yellow building is one of Hoi An’s oldest Buddhist temples.
Three halls of worship, intricate animal sculptures, beautiful deity paintings and decorative plantation tempts and quite an ambience many Buddhist Devotees and other voyagers. Tourists show gratitude to its preserved structures, make their fortune known or just marvel around the shrine. You will also see local monks floating paper lanterns into the river on full moons and important religious feasts while praying.
Explore the Iconic Fujian Assembly Hall
Fujian Assembly Hall is an iconic symbol of Hoi An architecture and Fujian artistry. Constructed in 1690, the assembly hall is full of statues, bronze bells and drums with lacquered works of art lining up in a dazzling celebration of Fujian artistry. This World Cultural Heritage Site was used by citizens from Fujian in China for visiting Hoi An.
Also known as Phuc Kien, this Fujian Hall is the home of Jinshang Golden Mountain temple, which is dedicated to Thien Hau, the deity of the sea and protector of sailors. Another highlight of this Hall is that many childless duos pay a visit here as there is also a fertility shrine where they pray in hopes of conceiving.
Hoi An Museum of History & Culture
The riverside Museum of History and Culture of Hoi An situated on the panoramic Quan Am pagoda. It holding 2000 years old relics of Hoi An history including numerous artefacts showing pictures of local architecture, exquisite ceramics and pottery items representing the changing era of Hoi An such as the Champa era and Dai Viet era.
The museum provides a fascinating glimpse into Hoi An’s heritage, including traditional burial customs with some very old coffins on view and a broad variety of exhibitions all over the years depicting Hoi An.
Shopping in Hoi An
Thanks to its abundance of tailoring facilities, shopping in Hoi An guarantees an amazing experience for 1st-time visitors. At Vietnam, Hoi An is the best place for made-to-measure clothing in the world, this quaint town is loaded with outstanding tailors who can easily produce custom made dresses, suits, shirts, and shoes at a fraction of the price you’d pay for back home.
Beautiful streets ancient town is lined with quaint shop and stalls selling handicrafts, jewellery, traditional apparel, and shoes Famous Shopping spots include – Silk Village, Central Market, Cocobox Cafe Farm Shop, Metiseko which specialises in the ready-to-wear apparels and Fine Art Gallery of Hoi An.
Activities Around Hoi An
There are several activities to enjoy in and around Hoi An such as joining the bicycle or motorbike tour for watching the gorgeous surrounding riverside view of Hoi An.
Enjoy boat rides around the Thu Bon River, take crowded ferry boats for visiting market and to reach Bach Dang
Savour Hoi An Delicacies
Little Hoi An has an almost bewildering choice of mouth-wateringly specialities to sample, offered good dining options by restaurants. Here you can relish the most famous Cao Lau a kind of rice flour noodles in soup flavoured with mint, slices of pork, bean sprouts and pork-rind croutons & White Rose Dumplings or Banh Bao which offers a pleasant Vietnamese taste influenced by the local culture, if you love seafood then you must taste them. Also, savour locally popular dish Hoanh Thanh Chien (Fried Wonton) prepared from shrimp and crab meat.
Bottom Line
For those who love tranquillity, Hoi An is an awesome choice for a small weekend getaway at where you can relax in stunning and less crowded beaches and enjoy the nightlife in one of the quaint cafes located by the riverside, enjoy the nightlife in the riverside cafes, or take romantic strolls by the riverside.
Also Read: Phu Quoc Island – An Exotic Vietnamese Island Getaway
