Hoi An: Serene Ancient Town

3:26:22 PM | 7/8/2005

On December 4, 1999, Hoi An ancient town was recognised by UNESCO as a world cultural heritage site. After over five years of relic preservation and tourism development, Hoi An is increasingly attractive to tourists.

Peaceful town

To meet the demand of tourists, the authorities and people of Quang Nam province and Hoi An town have tried their best to preserve and beautify the ancient town. The town's management is being planned and local home owners are being assisted in repairing their houses to maintain their antiquity value. As a result, the classic architecture is being maintained, thereby preserving the value of the town.

Besides ancient houses, Hoi An has also maintained and developed traditional professions. Visitors can watch how articles of fine art: lanterns, wood carvings and embroidered pieces are meticulously crafted by artisans. Visitors, both local and foreign, have always shown great interest in the production of traditional articles, especially Hoi An lanterns.

Visitors can stop for a while at an ancient house overlooking the Hoai river with traditional interior decoration or at a night restaurant on An Hoi islet to try some special foods made of rice flour such as Quang noodle, pancake with mussel, banh beo, etc.

Hoi An town maintains a clean environment, with reduced dust and noise. All households and townspeople actively take care of the local environment. Hotels and tourist centres are kept in the traditional style and are fully harmonious with the general scenery and atmosphere of the town.

From early August 2004, during the weekends, the streets are free of motorbikes from 08.00-11.00, 14.30-16.30 and 18.30-21 hours. The ancient town's streets open to pedestrians at these times and are filled with tranquillity and nostalgia. It is highly appreciated by both locals and foreigners especially on full moon nights. At 09.00 PM, tourists can take a boat trip on the Hoai river, rowing slowly and watching the streets illuminated by hundreds of lanterns. The cosy and quiet atmosphere is sometimes enhanced with traditional light music from the houses in the ancient streets. Over the river, singing by young girls and boys responding each other in verses of love and sympathy creates in visitors a profound impression of the ancient town.

Visitors can also take a tour "one-day habitat of the ancient town" to fully experience the life and work of the local people. They can visit craft villages and make themselves lanterns and bring home as souvenirs. They can work in Tra Que garden, sowing seeds and planting vegetables from dawn to dusk with the farmers. They can come to Thanh Nam fishing village, and fish together with fishermen for different kinds of fish and shrimp.

Festivities

Quang Nam becomes wet with small rain
And tipsy with little red wine.

The verse causes a lot of curiosity to visitors as it compounds the boundless sentiments of the land and people. On the occasion of the 5^th anniversary of the UNESCO recognition of Hoi An as a world cultural heritage, Hoi An became animated with festivities. On An Hoi islet, thousands of locals and guests watched cultural performances depicting the daily life and work of fishermen and artisans, Cham song and dance and traditional games. Locals and guests became friendly and joined in the festivities.

Japanese visitors, in particular, contributed to a unique cultural exchange. Japanese volunteers from all parts of Vietnam joined with young people of Hoi An in traditional Bon dance. They also performed a tea procession, prepared Japanese dishes, paper fan and traditional games.

At Cua Dai beach, sports events took place with beach volleyball, traditional performances (bamboo-pole dance, swinging), water scooter, flying parachute, kayak, kite flying, tug-of-war and swimming.

Visit, understand, love, and together preserve and develop Hoi An.