Hoian is an ancient port town on the Thubon River 30 km south of Danang. Known as Faifo to early Western traders, it was one of the Southeast Asia’s major international ports during the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries. Hoian was an important port of call for Dutch, Portuguese, Chinese, Japanese, and other trading vessels.

Today parts of Hoian look exactly as they did a century and a half ago. Hoian still preserves hundreds of houses built of precious wood in a very original style of architecture, either one or two storeys, in their complete wholeness. The rafters and beams of these houses are carved with very subtle patterns. These houses date from the first part of the 19th century or earlier give visitors the feeling that they have been transported back a couple centuries ago.

Hoian is one of the rare places in Vietnam where you’ll find genuine Vietnamese architecture. Besides this, Hoian is harmonious integration of other architecture styles with the local conditions. There is Japanese quarter linked with a Chinese neighborhood by Japanese Covered Bridge, which was constructed in 1593 by the Japanese Community in Hoian. This bridge reflecting the Japanese preference for understatement, still in its original style attracts many tourists. The Chinese community in Hoian is fond of many temples and Assembly Halls, which are worth visiting again and again.

1. Hoian Attractions

Phuc Kien Assembly Hall, Hoian

Set up in 1757 by Chinese Phuc Kien merchants at Hoi An, the building has been repaired and renovated many times. Phuc Kien Assembly Hall is used for genies and ancestors worship And a meeting place of the Chinese Phuc Kien people as well.

Phung Hung Old House, Hoian

This private house, constructed in 1780, is two floors of combined architectural influences. The first floor''s central roof is four-sided, showing Japanese influence, and the upstairs balcony has a Chinese rounded "turtle shell "roof with carved beam supports. The house has weathered many floods. In 1964, during a particularly bad bout, its third floor served as a refuge for other town families. The upstairs is outfitted with a trap door for moving furniture rapidly to safety. You might be shown around by Ms. Anh, who claims to be an eighth-generation member of the family. Tour guides at every house make such claims; however, like Quan Thang''s house, the family really does seem to live here.

Quan Cong Temple, Hoian

This temple was built in the middle of the 17th century to worship Quan Cong, the most famous general of the “ Three States” time (in Chinese history) who is the resplendent symbol of morality: faith, loyalty, frankness, righteousness.

Tan Ky Ancient House, Hoian

Located at 101 Nguyen Thai Hoc Road, Hoi An Town, Quang Nam Province, Tan Ky House was constructed almost two centuries ago as the house of a Vietnamese merchant. It has always been lovingly preserved and now looks almost exactly as it did in the early 19th century.

The design of Tan Ky House shows how local architecture incorporated Japanese and Chinese influences. Japanese elements include the crab shell-shaped ceiling supported by three beams in the living room. Chinese poems written in mother-of-pearl are hanging from a number of the columns that hold up the roof.

The Japanese Bridge, Hoi An, The Japanese Bridge in Hoi An, Hoian

The bridge was built by the Japanese trading community in 1593 to link them with the Chinese quarter on the other side of a small stream. The bridge is obviously very solidly built, almost out of proportion to the small trickle which runs under it.

At either end of the bridge are alters to guardians of the bridge. One end has a pair of monkeys, while the other is guarded by dogs (left). There''s also a sort of temple on the north side of the bridge, right in the middle over the stream.

As the entrance is low to the ground, you can see a lot of detail in to roof, including the little porcelain bowls used to cap the ends of the tiles (right). The "other "side of the bridge is where you''ll find the more interesting art galleries.

The Tran Family Worship House, Hoian

In 1802, the Tran family ancestor house of worship was built by a mandarin of civil service named Tran Tu Nhac.

The architecture of the house is beautiful. It is located inside a big garden and bordered by high fences of Japanese and Chinese style architecture. The house is divided into two parts: the main part serves as a place for worship; the auxiliary one is for the family and guest residence. The worship room has three doors, the two side doors are reserved for male and female members (left side is for men and the right side is for women) and the centre is for the grandparents and opened on Tet or on festival days.

Trieu Chau Assembly Hall, Hoian

Trieu Chau assembly hall was built by the Chinese in the early 19th century to worship the God of the oceans who is the reflection of the sea faring people,s deep longing for safety at sea.

2. Hoian Events

“Hoi An- Summer 2004” - Tourism month

The Central Province of Quang Nam expects to organize “Hoi An- Summer 2004” - Tourism month, “Quang Nam- Central areas heritage route” and “Vietnam-Japan exchanges” in July and August.

The tourism month starts on July 30. Eight tours will be included in the programme, such as “Summer on Hoi An beach”, “To discover Cu Lao Cham” (islet of indigo plants), one day of being a craftman making lanterns, growing vegetables in Tra Que, and fishing in Thanh Nam. During the tourism month, festivals “Night in Hoi An ancient street” are to take place with markets at night, exhibitions on pictures and artifacts of Hoi An.

In Cu Lao Cham, there will be programmes of diving to watch coral, fishing and expeditions in swallows islands. Besides, there will be tourism-trade and foods-drinks fairs, Vietnam-Japan cultural festival, Cham folk festival, lanterns competition, etc.

Hoi An celebrates Hy Hoa Temple restoration

John S. Boardman of the U.S. embassy in Vietnam speaks at the ceremony that the People’s Committee of Hoi An organized to mark the reopening of the restored Hy Hoa Temple in the ancient town on Friday.

The U.S. Culture Conservation Fund donated more than US$20,000 to restore the temple. Hy Hoa Temple had deteriorated seriously since its construction in the early 19th century. Though only medium-sized, the relic’s decoration and structure is special, reflecting the prosperous period when it was built and the cultures of the different communities that lived in Hoi An.
“The U.S. government is interested in conserving such wonderful works as this temple,” Boardman said at the ceremony. “We hope other governments and international organizations will also contribute to the conservation of Vietnam’s cultural and historical relics.”

Hot-air balloon to show Tam Ky Town in new light

Quang Nam Department of Trade launched a hot-air balloon service that allows visitors to enjoy the beautiful landscapes of Tam Ky Town from a height of 50m.

The balloon can carry four people besides the operator and a trip lasts for 15 to 20 minutes and costs VND 50,000 a person.

Tam Ky is known for its man-made reservoir Phu Ninh located some 7km west of the town and said to be Quang Nam Province''s largest lake.

In the middle of the 3,433ha lake are hot springs and 30 pretty little islands that give it the appearance of a Halong Bay in miniature.

From the balloon visitors can also see Tam Thanh, the most beautiful beach in Tam Ky.