Hoi An

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**Hoi An Ancient Town**^a
**UNESCO World Heritage Site**

State Party	Vietnam
Type	Cultural
Criteria	ii, v
Identification	#948
Region^b	Asia-Pacific
Inscription History
Formal Inscription:	1999 23rd Session
a Name as officially inscribed on the WH List b As classified officially by UNESCO

Hội An pronunciation (help·info) (Hán Tự: 會安) is a small town on the coast of South China Sea in central Vietnam. It is located in the Quảng Nam province and is home to approximately 88,000 inhabitants. It's a largest harbour in South East Asia in First Century with name Lâm Ấp Phố (Champa City).

Triều Châu Assembly Hall

The former harbour town of the Champa people at the estuary of the Thu Bon river was an important trading centre in the 16^th and 17^th centuries, where Chinese from various provinces as well as Japanese, Dutch and Indians settled down. During this period of the China trade, the town was called Hai Pho (Seaside Town), during the French occupation. Originally Hai Pho was a divided town, because across the "Japanese Bridge" used to be the Japanese settlement. The bridge (Chùa cầu) is a unique covered structure built by the Japanese, the only known covered bridge with a Buddhist pagoda attached to one side. The town is known to the French and Spanish as Faifo; the name is thought to be the result of a mis-communication between a local habitant and a Spanish trader around the 17th century. The trader asked whether the place was Pho and received the answer "Phai! Pho." ("Yes! Pho.").

Symbol of Hội An Ancient Town

In 1999, the old town was declared World Heritage by the UNESCO, as a well-preserved example of a Southeast Asian trading port of the 15^th to 19^th centuries, whose buildings display a unique blend of local and foreign influences.

Today, Hội An is still a small town, but it attracts a fair number of tourists, also being a well established place on the backpacker trail. Many visit for the numerous art and craft shops and tailors, who produce made-to-measure clothes for a fraction of the western price. Several internet cafés, bars and restaurants have opened along the riverfront. Some popular evening venues, especially with western visitors, are Tam Tam's restaurant and bar and the Mango restaurant.

[edit] See also

Hoian Lotus Hotel is close to Cua Dai beach and just a short trip into the Hoian Ancient Town; within easy access to all shopping areas and dinning places. More information at http://www.hoianlotushotel.com