Hoi An ancient town

History 
Hoi An port was founded in the 15th century and established as a big trading center dealing with merchants from China, Japan and Portugal. Some of them even settled in the town, building houses, pagodas and other monuments. The town remained a flourishing and very busy port until the 19th century, at what time it was eclipsed by Danang as a center of commerce. 

However, with their incredibly well preserved architecture, the old streets of Hoi An have ever since been attracting numerous visitors from all over the world, especially from the 80s. Besides, the river town of Hoi An as well as the nearby Cham Towers of My Son have recently been recognized as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Outstanding features of Hoi An Hoi An can be discovered simply by walking along its quiet streets or by sitting on a cyclo to enjoy a sight-seeing tour and admire hundred years old houses such as Phung Hung and Quan Thang ancient houses, pagodas and gravestones made of clay by the Chams in the 13th-15th centuries. Specific artefacts of Hoi An have also been carefully preserved, such as the enamel-ceramic plates displayed in Hoi An Trading Ceramic Museum. 

A visit of the old streets
The most outstanding part of Hoi An is the area of the Japanese Bridge, built in the early days of the city. In the middle of the covered bridge, a small altar is dedicated to Bac De Tran Vu. Formerly, the main road of the town stretched form the Japanese Bridge to Ong Pagoda. 

Hoi An looked out Cui market river, renamed Thu Bon river in the early 20th century.
At night, the old streets become mysterious and glisten to the enchanting lights of Chinese lanterns hanging from every house and covered with colourful silk. 

Gastronomy
Hoi An is also very famous for its excellent cuisine and typical dishes. It is said that the Cao lau noodles are so palatable because they are cooked in water coming from the local well.
Many dishes were originally brought by a Chinese family of Phuc Kien district such as banh bao (dumplings), or banh quai vac (sweet fritters), which are still prepared by the third generation of Tran Tuan Ngai family living on Phan Chu Trinh Street.