Why Hoi An could have your stay of only 3 days, or up to a week?

About Hoi An

Hoi An Ancient Town

Hoi An Ancient town Vietnam is situated in Quang Nam – a central province of Vietnam, nearly 30 km from Da Nang International Airport (40 – 45-minute driving). Hoi An Town was once the most hustle commercial hub for Japanese, Chinese and Westerners traders, coming to import and export dozens of goods from necessaries, dedicate products to weaponries. The traders called in and out so often that they built up their own houses, religious temples, markets for inhabitant needs. Hoi An then inherited with the enticing attached ancient houses, silk weaving skills and other handicrafts. The ancient town Hoi An attracts thousands of guests yearly who enjoy themselves in Hoi An differently depending on their interests. 

The graceful Hoi An town is good for meandering at any time of the day. It’s like a sleeping beauty in the morning, the moment when the sun beam are soft and gentle means you could capture the once in a life time photo. The area gets busier from then onward but it’s fortunate that the streets are then spent for the pedestrians only.

You could easily stroll, and visit roundabout with signature stops like:

• Tan Ky House

Among the finest ancient houses in the old town, Tan Ky is the house surpassing seven generations since early 18th century. Its traditional wooden house displays typical architectures of Vietnamese, Chinese and Japanese as these three nationalities lived together under Tan Ky House’s roof.

• Japanese Covered Bridge

Being a renowned emblem of Hoi An Ancient Town, Japanese Covered Bridge was built by the Japanese to connect with the Chinese corner. It was ornated with at the time Japanese architecture. There are couples of guarding dogs and monkeys on each sides of the bridge as most of the Japanese Emperors were born in the year of dog and monkey. Another story has it that the bridge was structed in the year of Monkey and inaugurated in the year of dog.

• Assembly House of Fujian Congregation

Used to be an Assembly Hall, this place is then dedicated to the Thien Hau Deity, a goddess from the Fujian region. The architecture is unique with tiny but typical characteristics. Apart from this, locals also worship 12 midwives here who believed to protect and bless the child with the good growths. Theretofore, the place became a sacred spot to the locals and the childless spouses coming here to, offering fruits and burn a pretty big incense ring to pray for a child.

• Museum of Trade Ceramic

A museum of elegantly fine ceramic dated back the 8th century embodying the archeological and historical with the stunning fragments, ornamentals and ceramic products.

• Other old houses and museum

There are variable of ancient houses and quirkily appeared but interesting museums for your exploration which could be found along main streets. You can walk around to admire each architecture and flexibly stop to grasp a local snack or drink.

• Hoi An center market

The market rests right on the Thu Bon River bank and just a few steps from the ancient town that is recommended while strolling around Hoi An old town. The most vivid local lifestyle will be shown here of bargaining shopping style, daily goods from vegetable, meat, eggs, dried stuffs and so on.

The town becomes beguiling when the sun goes down. It’s the time when all the lanterns on the streets are lit up; the locals finish their works and entertain themselves nearby Thu Bon River. They play traditional games - human chess, participate in folk songs singing, eat, drink and release water lanterns to the rivers sailing along with the wishes. The lantern releasing ritual is done every first days of the lunar months and the full-moon days; however, some venders still provide the lanterns daily for visitors who can’t wait till those decided days. Besides, Hoi An night market, riverside local restaurants & café, bars are all ready to make up your night.

The countryside of Hoi An

Hoi An countryside is undoubtedly amazed with rural villages, rice paddy fields, green lush areas. The bicycles are popular in Hoi An and eco-friendly that is strongly advised for a leisure exploration and local interactions. During the venturous escape, you could stop any time for to explore the scenic landscapes.

There are many villages with distances in around 10 kilometers from the Hoi An town center. 

• Tra Que herb Village

Tra Que Village in Hoi An Vietnam was formed about 300 years ago when the villagers used to be fishermen who then made use of the seaweed to enrich the soil instead of using manure. Planting of around 40 herb species, the village provide freshest vegetable to Hoi An region as well as their neighborhoods. The farming works are still in place these days; and you could join with the hospitable hosts in land plowing, see seedling, watering in local method which looked simply but come out challenging for the first try. 

Further experiences for a full memorable day to be included like: cooking demonstration of Vietnamese crape or the sizzling cake stuffed with prawn, bean sprouts, herbs plucked from the garden. After lunch, you can enjoy local foot massage; walk & cycle around; take photos of the place and locals or contemplate wonderful sunset. 

• Thanh Ha Pottery Village

Around 03 kilometers from center; Thanh Ha Pottery Village rests next to Thu Bon River with plenty clay sources and convenient for waterway trading, like most of other pottery villages in Vietnam. This village is a good choice for family as additional to wandering around for photos of local making pottery products, family can excitingly hands-on making the pottery. Or simply, the family can paint a pottery mask, mold an ocarina in opulent animal shapes for fun experiences.

In the Thanh Ha village, sitting the terracotta museum for your further information of this handicraft forming and producing and nicely made potteries. 

• Cam Thanh Village

For an insightful local life, Cam Thanh Village is the right choice and a fun thing to do in Hoi An Vietnam. You can explore the coconut village, ride bamboo boat with villagers and learn about the fishery job of the community. You also have chance to interact with local and do farming works and learn the stages of making rice. Cam Thanh village offers the observation of local handicrafts such as making pictures and products from water coconut leaves; making traditional rice papers or enjoying some entertaining boat show on the river. 

The buffalos might not be found in Tra Que Vegetable village as it’s considered a threaten crashing down the vegetable, but abundant in Cam Thanh Village. Due to the increasing on tourists; an ecotourism trip like cycling is always highly encouraged.

• Duy Vinh Sedge Mats Village

Another choice to explore the countryside landscape of Hoi An as well as the local handicraft of making sedge mat. Enriched by the alluvium of three rivers Thu Bon, Trung Giang and Ly Ly, the villagers of Duy Vinh Village planted the sedge to weave up the sitting mat. It’s interested to learn about processing making up a lovely perfect mat.

• Kim Bong Wooden Village

Kim Bong has been a carpentry village in Hoi An since 15th century which once prosperous of making amber houses, wooden alters, furniture, household appliances, boats, etc. With it ups and downs throughout centuries, this traditional handicraft is still preserved till these days. 

Cham Island

Cham Island in Hoi An Vietnam is one of the most stunning places to enjoy beach leisure and wildlife but doesn’t have much attentions from the foreign travelers during the short time visit that other spots will be under their priority. Cham Island is also the place that government in Hoi An prohibit plastic bag usage. If anyone caught bringing plastic bag to this island, that person will be fired.

From the Cua Dai Port, you can either take the speed boat in 45-minute ride or local wooden boat of around 1.5 hours. Upon arriving on the island, you can visit the local village with temple dedicated to the sea god; the verdant green landscape, local houses, cows and buffalos. From main island, there are choices to sail to other islands or beach for swimming in the natural turquoise beaches, do scuba diving, snorkeling and admire the marine world. Most of visitor go with one day to Cham Island for their sightseeing and enjoying time at nearby attractions. There are also the coming up of some homestays for overnight to make friend with this place. 

Beach leisure 

 For those who want to do nothing but resting can choose with hotels or lodges from moderate budget to luxury properties to spend their own time chilling out on the beach. Due to the cativation, some pristine coastline of Hoi An is no longer exist or not so stunning that most of travelers go with An Bang beach in Hoi An. There are white soft sandy beaches for your relaxation, sun-bath as well as enjoying the local seafood and other local dishes. Da Nang, the neighbor city of Hoi An, is also granted with long white sandy beaches where with many resort and hotel choices for your consideration too.

By its charms, Hoi An have the returns of many travelers, the long stay of visitors who are eager to discover the local culture, and even the second hometown of some western photographers, chefs, etc. Basing on your own interest and travel plan, you can decide wisely how many day of only 2, 3 days or a week.