One day in Hoi An: Charming but Not as Expected
We spent just one day in Hoi An. The small city of Hoi An, located on the central coast of Vietnam, has a charming old town by the river, which has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1999.
Hoi An was one of the most important ports in Asia from the 16th to the 19th century, especially in trade between Asia, Europe, and Japan. During this time, the city attracted merchants from various cultures, which contributed to its rich cultural mix and diverse architecture.
The city is full of Chinese and Japanese influences and is famous for being the most beautiful city in all of Vietnam. Thanks to many buildings retaining their traditional architecture, a brief stroll down the main street can quickly transport you to the past.
The bustling market by the river, packed with vendors offering all kinds of food; the small bridges, especially a beautiful Japanese bridge (Chùa Cầu) dating back to the 17th century; the picturesque shops adorned with hanging Chinese lanterns; the wooden boats gliding along the river, and the traditional Vietnamese hats, all help create a unique and captivating atmosphere.
The Bad of Hoi An: a very tourist city
But, when you leave that area, that street by the river, you come back to reality and it’s just a town. The architecture of the houses is not so special anymore, the noise of the motorcycles breaks the silence and most of the temples and museums that you find you have to pay to enter.
Every step you take there is a tourist stand where they sell souvenirs and you can’t stop foreigners from buying things or going to a local restaurant to take cooking courses. You can see that the city is in the middle of Vietnam, where all the tourists pass by…
Visit to the My Son ruins: The best of Hoi An
Today is our second day in Hoi An. At 5 a.m. we went to see the Hindu ruins My Son. These ruins are one of the most important vestiges of the Champa culture, an ancient civilization installed in Southeast Asia that was finally absorbed by Vietnam.
It is one of the most important archaeological sites in Vietnam and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1999. It is located in Quang Nam province, about 40 kilometers southwest of Hoi An and approximately 70 kilometers from Da Nang.
Situated in a valley surrounded by mountains and lush vegetation, it is a picturesque and spiritual place. The temples are quite beautiful, although they were mostly destroyed during the Vietnam War. Of the original 70, only 20 remain. Many are currently under reconstruction, but still, I believe the visit was well worth it. It’s like a miniature Angkor Wat, offering a glimpse into the history and beauty of an ancient civilization.
Next Destination: From Hoi An to Hue, the Old Imperial City
At 1 o’clock we took a bus to Hue, the old imperial city where the Citadel is located and inside, the Purple Forbidden City. It’s been raining for two days without stopping. Let’s see how the trip goes with this rain…
If you found this post about our experience during 1 day in Hoi An interesting, I encourage you to value it, comment on it and/or share it. If you plan to travel to Vietnam, you may also be interested in our list of Travel Tips for Vietnam and the Sapa Rice Terrace Hiking Route.
