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HOI AN: WORLD OF CULTURES
Updated: 07-08-2008
Located 30 km away from the central hub of Da Nang, small and peaceful Hoi An Town is a requisite stop for tourists who want to take in the lingering beauty of a mélange of cultures that once sparkled centuries ago.Hoi An is the best example of a traditional trading port in Southeast Asia.
Its neighborhoods are formed by a fusion of cultures from the 15th–19th centuries when the ancient port attracted ships and traders from Asia and Europe.
Its architecture is a confluence of traditional Vietnamese designs with Chinese and Japanese traits.
Already well established by the 13th century, the port of Hoi An at the mouth of the Thu Bon River became an important commercial center for the central region.
Merchant ships from Japan and China often visited the town, leading to the construction of streets belonging to merchant guilds and the establishment of distinctive Japanese and Chinese quarters with their own architectural styles.
During the 17th and 18th centuries, Hoi An was the busiest among former Dai Viet’s (Vietnam) four major commercial ports, including Ke Cho and Pho Hien in the north and nearby Da Nang.
Gradually blocked up by too much silt in its water channels, the port went into decline in the face of competition from Da Nang during the 19th century.
But many of the buildings erected by rich merchant families during its heyday have been preserved and today stand as excellent examples of civic architecture.
Hoi An was originally known by foreign merchants as Faifo, Haisfo, or Hoai pho.
Judging from archaeological relics and building documents, the town served as a trade nexus and converging point for many cultures such as the Champa, Vietnamese, Portuguese, Japanese and Chinese.
Remnants of these traders’ influences still line the streets of Hoi An.
There are nine different types of historical structures in town that are over 200 years old.
They include private houses, family chapels, community halls, communal houses, temples, pagodas, bridges, wells and tombs.
Many buildings have been meticulously maintained, allowing visitors to absorb the essence of a once prosperous trading port.
Official statistics show there are no less than 1,360 relics in Hoi An.
These relics are divided into eleven categories, including 1,068 ancient houses, 19 pagodas, 43 temples, 23 communal houses, 38 family temples, 5 assembly halls, 11 old wells, one bridge and 44 ancient tombs.
In the old quarters alone, there are more than 1,000 historical sites.
Make sure to walk by the Temple Bridge, whose image is printed on the VND20,000 bill notes, over the canal at the crossroads of Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street and Tran Phu Street.
The bridge was built in the 16th century with a temple inside in order to control a legendary leviathan named Cu.
The giant sea monster was believed to lie beneath India, Vietnam and Japan and its moves caused the floods and storms in the area.
Also don’t forget to visit the multitudes of ancient houses where the traditional architecture is especially well-preserved.
The most famous ones are located at 77 Tran Phu Street, 10 Nguyen Thai Hoc Street and 4 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street.
The spiritual life of the town was once vigorously promoted as a balanced way of living.
Despite the fact that the town is nowadays a tourist haven, the artistic atmosphere and friendly locals create an inviting environment that lingers in visitors’ hearts.
At twilight or on a full moon night, a stroll through the quaint streets in town reveals a stunning ambience.
The spark of sunset at the end of the day mingles with flickering lantern lights hanging from ancient houses.
The empty streets are steeped in peaceful nostalgia, allowing guests to re-imagine the scenes of days past.
Hoi An is full of shops selling artwork, from lifelike memorial family portraits, to stylish pictures of local houses and streets.
In addition, there are shops selling souvenir statues, ceramic plates and imitation antiques, as well as paper lanterns.
Colorful lanterns of various sizes and materials are available at prices ranging from VND5,000 to VND200,000.
Visitors can even observe firsthand the lantern-making process by experienced artisans.
At the marketplace along the river, guests can pick up almost any trinkets, clothing, or gifts.
Tourists are often attracted by the plentiful offerings of silk and tailored garments at the market, where one can have anything from dresses and trousers to shirts and hats made for a fairly cheap price.
Another unique characteristic of Hoi An in comparison to other cities in Vietnam is its relative silence.
There are few cars and people do not feel the urge to honk their motorbike horns frequently.
The streets are filled with the hum of voices, motorbikes and the shuffling of feet along the pavements.
Hoi An is small enough to get around on foot, but guests will need a set of wheels if they want to stop by nearby Cua Dai Beach, or make a day trip to the Marble Mountains or Da Nang City.
The local food features a wide variety of dishes such as cao lau – a type of noodle soup with shrimp, pork and fresh herbs – rose cakes, chicken rice, and other delicious offering.
Listed as a world cultural heritage site by UNESCO in December 1999, Hoi An is a quiet corner where Eastern and Western cultures find harmony.
It is an ancient town renowned for its beautiful art and architecture and the welcoming hospitality of local people will draw visitors back time and time again.
Source: Thanhniennews.com
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