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About Hoi An Town |
The ancient town of Hoi An, 30 km south of Danang, lies on the banks of the Thu
Bon River, Quang Nam Province.
Hoi An, a charming ancient town of the 15th century, used to be the biggest sea
port and the most important trade center of the country during the 17th and 18th
centuries. Merchant ships from many countries such as Holland, Britain, Japan, France,
Portugal, China, Indonesia etc. used to anchor here to purchase silk, pottery, tea,
pepper and lacquerware of Vietnam.
Its well preserved communal houses, pagodas and other places of worship reflect
the presence and influences of the Vietnamese, Chinese, Japanese and Westerners
who later settled in the region.
In Hoi An, cycling or walking through the ancient streets of moss-walled buildings
that are still preserved nearly the same as those of the 16-17th century seaport
gives visitors a strange and interesting feeling.
The town has a distinct Chinese atmosphere with low, tiled-roof houses and narrow
streets; the original structure of some remain intact. All the houses are made of
rare wood and decorated with lacquered boards and panels engraved with Chinese characters.
Pillars are also carved with ornamental designs. Nearby are impressive ruins of
the Sa Huynh and Champa cultures. |
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Hoi An Sightseeings |
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MY SON SANCTUARY: My Son, located in Quang Nam province, 69km south-west
of Danang, was an imperial city during the Champa dynasty, between the 4th and the
12th centuries. The sanctuary is a large complex of religious relics comprised of
more than 70 architectural works. They include temples and towers connected to one
other through complicated red brick designs. The main component of the design is
the tower, built to reflect the divinity of the king. The Cham architecture in My
Son is one of the main attractions in Quang Nam province. According to records on
the stone stele, the prime foundation of the ancient My Son architectural complex
was a wooden temple to worship the Siva Bhadresvera genie. All of the Cham towers
were built on a quadrate foundations and each comprises three parts: a solid tower
base, representing the world of human beings, the mysterious and sacred tower body,
representing the world of spirits, and the tower top built in the shape of a man
offering flowers and fruits or of trees, birds, animals, etc., representing things
that are close to the spirits and human beings.
JAPANESE COVERED BRIDGE:
also called the Pagoda Bridge, was built in the
16th century and is still incredibly well preserved. On the northern
side of the bridge is a Japanese pagoda to protect sailors. There
are statues of two dogs located at the western end of the bridge and
two monkeys at the eastern end. It is said that the construction
started in the year of the monkey and finished in the year of the
dog, according to Chinese calendar. Other legend is said that the
statues on the bridge might have been put there by the Japanese to
control this monster, since the dog and the monkey are sacred
animals according to their Totem religion.
ASSEMBLY HALL OF CANTONESE CHINESE
CONGREGATION: The Assembly Hall of the Cantonese Chinese
Congregation located at 176 Tran Phu St. in Hoian, was built in 1855
by members of the local Cantonese community. It was later restored
in 1915 and again in 1990. It was constructed according to the
Chinese character "Quoc". The visitors will be amazed by its
monumental and grand architecture in comparison with the other
surrounding assembly halls.
PHUOC KIEN ASSEMBLY HALL: also called
Kim Son Pagoda, was built in Hoian in 1692 by Chinese Phuoc Kien
merchants. It has since been restored and enhanced many times. This
temple is architecturally unique with its artistic ornaments and
beautiful statues. The Chinese architectural style combined with
Vietnamese workmanship has enriched it with Hoian's cultural
character. |
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Transportation |
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Hoian is 30km from Danang and can be
reached by car, bus or minibus. Bus station is about 1km
west of the centre of Hoian. Buses leave for Danang
several times a day. |
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