Hoi An is a city on Vietnam’s central coast known for its well-preserved Ancient Town. The former port city’s melting-pot history is reflected in its architecture, a mix of eras and styles from wooden Chinese shop houses and temples to colorful French colonial buildings, ornate Vietnamese tube houses and the iconic Japanese Covered Bridge with its pagoda. Mixing together with Vietnamese design, Chinese and Japanese accents melt and create a picture-perfect Hoi An of the late 19th century, which it has somehow remained mostly intact since. The culture & heritage is mostly from the Cham people. The second major influence was from the Chinese, firstly from traders but especially the escaping Ming Dynasty armies who after settling in Hoi An for some years moved further south and created Saigon as a major trading port. The third and last major influence of culture & heritage was from the Vietnamese and is fairly recent and only came after the Cham lost control of this area. The town used to harbor foreign traders back in the 17-18th, and once is an important heavily-frequented trading port in Southeast Asia. The foreigners come from all corners of the world, but mostly are Chinese and Japanese nationalities. Ancient and peaceful, Hoi An is one of the most popular destinations in Vietnam that caters to travellers of all tastes and across the continents. The little town is just the perfect candidate of what Vietnam tourism ministry is aiming to show to the world.
lightbulb_outline Highlights:
- In 1999, UNESCO formally recognizes Hoi An as a World Heritage Site. There are the things that make up the reputation.
- Hoi An is home to many temples, pagodas and the ancient homes that bear its very unique mark. The density of such sites is unlike any other in Vietnam. These places carry with them the history of Hoi An.
wb_sunny Weather:
- The heat reaches its peak on the months from June to August when the highest temperature measured during day time is 38 Degree Celsius while the lowest temperature only drops at 21C Degree at night.
- Winter-like weather falling in the town from November to January bring coldest days to Hoi An when daily average temperature is between 19 to 24 Degree Celsius. However, this coldness seems to be of no concern for tourists from Northern Hemisphere.
star_border Best time to visit:
The most annoying factor in Hoi An should be its rainy season, lasting quite long from September to January. Its constantly heavy shower, which may also occur with typhoon and cause floods sometimes, can accidentally disturb your wonderful trip. During the damp season Hoi An sees a sharp decrease in the number of visitors.
On the other hand, Hoi An’s dry season from February to May is the best time to visit the town, since its weather becomes very mild and beautiful with moderate temperature, low humidity, less rain and warm sunshine. For ones who enjoy sunbathing on famous beaches near Hoi An like Cua Dai Beach or An Bang Beach, delaying your trip to the end of May or beginning of June is recommended.
If you are lucky enough to arrive at the town on the 14th day of a lunar month, Hoi An will be much more charming with its Full Moon Festival and “Old Street Night” exclusively available on that day.