Hoi An Ancient Town

Although this area has many draws the main draw is the "Ancient Town". The area has been inhabited for about 3,000 years with the Champa ethnic group settling and developing the pottery industry (2-15th centuries) followed by Dai Vet (15-19th centuries) and the leaders at that time allowed nations to set up businesses there. In the 16th and 17th centuries, Hoi An was a major trading port, where Japanese, Chinese, Dutch and Indian merchants all established communities and traded goods. Eventually, due to the advent of steam boats, silting up of the river, and changing demand for goods, history passed the town by, but the lack of development meant that much of the city became dormant commercially but was preserved. Eventually this was recognized and it has been declared a UNESCO world heritage site. It is very much a "living museum" with families living and operating their businesses out of the same spot for many generations.

Walking around the central core of the Old Town requires a $6 CDN admission ticket which includes admission to any 5 of the 25 historic buildings. We went into one of each type but most outstanding was the Chinese Merchant House and the Chinese Fujian Assembly hall.Read more