My husband, daughter, and I travelled this week to Hoi An, an ancient town in Central Vietnam. UNESCO awarded this former trading post World Heritage status in 1999 based on its fusion of well-preserved, foreign and indigenous architecture. While I admit my husband has a weakness for World Heritage sites, we mostly chose Hoi An because of its reputation for superb culture, food, and sea (it is located on the southern tip of the famed China Beach).
A walk through Hoi An reveals its diverse history. From the 17th to 19th centuries, it was one of the busiest ports in Southeast Asia. Foreign merchants set up shop and left a stamp that is still felt today. There are 18th century merchant homes, Chinese Assembly Halls, and a lovely bridge that the Japanese built early in the 17th century so that they could cross a steam to conduct business in the residential area of town.
But these sites are only part of Hoi An’s charm. An administrative center during Vietnam’s days as a French colony, the predominant architecture is a lovely blend of provincial French and Vietnamese. Thankfully, although Hoi An is not far from some of the most brutal battles of the Vietnam War (or what locals call the American War), it was largely untouched.
Some tourist towns become museums devoid of contemporary life, but Hoi An’s local market adds a level of authenticity – not to mention pungent smells – not found in some of the other well-preserved villages we have visited in Asia and Europe. That said, one can be overwhelmed by the abundance of shops offering tailoring, handmade shoes, lanterns, and other local crafts targeting the many visitors to Hoi An.
Here are a few photos that hopefully convey some of this beauty and spirit of this quaint little spot in Central Vietnam.
1) The market: While there, someone told us that women – on average – visit the market four times a day. He then quoted an old Vietnamese saying: “You only need need two women and a goose for a market,” highlighting the market’s practical and social importance in Vietnam.
2) The fish market
3) Hoi An is known for its beautiful lanterns
4) The Japanese Bridge – In the 17th c. The Japanese, who lived in Hoi An, built this bridge to cross the stream and do business with the local people. The Chinese and Vietnamese have continued to keep it up over the last few centuries. The two entranced are protected by a pair of monkey gods at one end and dog gods at the other.
5) A typical Hoi An building