This well-preserved historical town in Vietnam is home to 120,000 people and was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the year 1999. The old town of Hoi An has been able to preserve a trading port of Southeast Asia, which has been in operation since the 16th and 17th centuries.
The City’s Atmosphere
One of the top things to do in Hoi An on your checklist should be a visit to the port in the old town, a 5-minute ride from Anantara Hoi An Resort. While the city continues its operations as a trading port in present times, the traditional wooden buildings in the area remain, preserved in their original form, just like the rest of the port. These architectures that narrate stories from the past still carry historic and cultural traces from the ancient town of Hoi An.
A Town That Boasts Originality
The city still rests in the comfort of its primitive street plan which includes original forms of quays, canals, bridges and buildings backing onto the river. As wooden buildings are constantly at the risk of decay, most structures were repaired using traditional methods to preserve them in their most original setting and are highly unlikely that any part of these buildings will be replaced with modern material.
Protection of the Town
Currently, an approved plan for the conservation, restoration and promotion of Hoi An is in place, covering the period from 2012 to 2025. The city also aims to link the Hoi An Ancient Town to UNESCO Cu Lao Cham Biosphere Reserve, as well as promote living conditions for local communities, while striving to face the adverse effects of climate change.
Tourism
Hoi An also acts s a hub for the tourism industry in Vietnam. The city alone is an attraction for travellers, while other additions on a vacation to Hoi An would include a distinctive regional cuisine; the Hoi An Wreck, a shipwreck discovered in the 1990s was believed to have occurred in the mid-late 15th century; and the Hoi An lantern Full Moon Festival.