Old Town
Chinese shophouses and Communist propagandaEntry to all historical sites in Hoi An is via a coupon system, where
75,000 dong (US$5) gets you a ticket that can be used to enter five attractions: one museum, one old house, one
assembly hall, the handicraft workshop (and traditional music show) or the traditional theater, and either the Japanese
Covered Bridge or the Quan Cong Temple. Tickets are sold at various entry points into the Old Town, including Hai Ba
Trung Street, and also at some of the attractions, including the Cantonese Assembly Hall. The city requests that visitors
dress "decently" while visiting sites in the Old Town, as in no sleeveless blouses or skirts above the knees, but there's
nobody specifically charged with enforcing the dress code.
First, you may choose one of the two landmarks of Hoi An:
Japanese Covered Bridge (Chua Cau or Lai Vien Kieu), on the west end of Tran Phu Street. The bridge was
constructed in the early 1600's by the Japanese community, roughly 40 years before they left the city to return to Japan
under the strict policy of sakoku enforced by the Tokugawa Shogunate, and renovated in 1986. Today, it's the symbol
of Hoi An. Entry is one coupon, but it's possible to cross back and forth several times without meeting a ticket-checker. If
your scruples are bothering you, feel free to leave tribute for the pig statue or the dog statue who stand guard at
opposite ends of the bridge.
Quan Cong Temple, 24 Tran Phu Street.
The ticket allows admission to one of the four museums in the Old Town:
Museum of Folk Culture, 33 Nguyen Thai Hoc Street.
Museum of Trade Ceramics, 80 Tran Phu Street. The dusty, unlabeled displays of broken pottery are eminently
forgettable, but the house itself is nice enough, and it provides a better opportunity to explore the shape and layout of
an old Hoi An home than you'll find at any of the Old Houses (below).
Hoi An Museum of History and Culture, 7 Nguyen Hue Street.
Museum of Say Huynh Culture, 149 Banc Dang Street.
There are three old houses that exist in an awkward halfway state between museum show-piece and somewhat shabby
residence for the family that lives there. Your ticket allows admission to one.
Phung Hung House, 4 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street, just west of the Japanese Bridge. Traditional two-story wooden
house, inhabited over 100 years by eight generations; and the current one attempts to guide you around in hope of a
tip.
Quan Thang House, 77 Nguyen Thai Hoc Street.
Tan Ky House, 101 Nguyen Thai Hoc Street. As above, a younger member of the family will provide a cup of tea and a
"tour" that doesn't stray from the front room of the house, as you'd need to step over sleeping members of the older
generation to go anywhere else. The design of the house shows how local architecture incorporated Japanese and
Chinese influences. Japanese elements include the crab shell-shaped ceiling supported by three beams in the living
room. Chinese poems written in mother-of-pearl are hanging from a number of the columns that hold up the roof.
Numerous congregation halls, where Chinese expatriate residents socialized and held meetings, are dotted about the
town. They are typically named after the home region of their members, such as Fujian and Canton. Your ticket allows
admission to one. Some do not have ticket-takers, so it's up to your conscience if you want to try wandering into a
second.
Cantonese Assembly Hall (Quang Dong), 176 Tran Phu Street. Built in 1885, it has a calm courtyard with ornate
statuary. Take a peek at the half-hidden back yard and its kitschy pastel dragon statues.
Hokien (Fujian) Meeting Hall (Phuc Kien), 46 Tran Phu Street. Built in 1757.
Chinese All-Community Meeting Hall (Trieu Chau), 157 Nguyen Duy Hieu. Built in 1887. It's near the Fujian hall, also
spanning the block.
Finally, you can choose one of the following to get some "Intangible Culture":
Hoi An Handicraft Workshop, 9 Bach Dang Street. Folk music performances are offered at 10:15am and 3:15pm every
day except Monday.
Traditional Theater, 75 Nguyen Thai Hoc Street.
Other
The Hoi An Orphanage is located right next to the Roman Catholic church. The Kianh Foundation works permanently at
the orphanage to improve the children’s health, education and quality of life.
Do
Touring Central Highlands with the Easy RidersHoi An Easy Riders . Riding the back of a motorbike with a driver/guide
is a great way for a non-motorcyclist to tour around Vietnam. Providing an insight and access to places you might
otherwise never experience. With good spoken English and French, originating from surrounding villages they seem to
know everyone you'll get a truly amazing experience. To get in contact with them you can find their details on the web
site. Prices range from about US$60-75 per person, per day an include accommodation.
Rent a motorbike. If the traffic scared you in Ho Chi Minh or Hanoi, here is the place to learn. Rent a bike for US$4 per
day. The quiet streets are an ideal place to learn. After a few minutes fiddling with gears you'll be ready to roll. When
renting make sure you get a helmet. Take a short ride down to the beach and enjoy the water or travel toward Danang
to visit the stunning Marble Mountains. More experienced riders should zip through the quiet streets after dark and
scare the old posh travellers. Epic Lulz will ensue.
Cua Dai Beach. A place to unwind a few kilometers away from the town centre. A motorbike ride from the town centre to
Cua Dai Beach should cost around 20,000 dong. It's also possible to cycle there, which gives you a nice view of the rice
farms along the way. Along the beach are a number of mini restaurants selling seafood and drinks. They also provide
deck chairs and tables right on the beach. Vendors usually stroll the beach offering fresh fruit. It's a relatively nice
beach, but keep an eye on kids, as the tide can be deceptively strong here. There are a number of upmarket resort
hotels in the area.
Cooking lessons are offered at several restaurants around town. If you enjoyed your meal there, it can't hurt to inquire.
Festivals in Hoi An are based on the lunar calendar, so break out your lunar date planners and lunar PDAs to see if
you'll be there at the right time.
Full Moon Festival, aka Old Town's Night - held on the 14th of every lunar month, one night before the full moon, when
the Old Town becomes even more festive than usual (which is saying something). Usually starts around 6:30pm.
Fisherman's Festival - held on the 16th of the February lunar month to pray for a good crop.
Mid-Autumn Festival - held on the 14th of the August lunar month.
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