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- Destinations
- Asia
- Vietnam
- Hoi An
Hoi An
The quaint riverside town of Hoi An was an important port town
and one of the major trading centres in South East Asia during the
16th and 17th centuries. The cultural influences of the Japanese
and Chinese merchants are still evident today in the town's
architecture, with the famous Japanese Covered Bridge and the
distinctly Chinese atmosphere of the Old Quarter forming part of
its unique character.
Lining the narrow streets are two-storey Chinese shops, with
charming wooden facades and tiled roofs, merchants' homes, Assembly
Halls and temples that preserve an ancient character. On the 15th
day of every lunar month, the ancient character of this sleepy town
takes on fairytale proportions, as porches, streets and windows are
lit by the glow of coloured lanterns; a practice reminiscent of the
old days and aimed at retaining the spirit of the past.
Hoi An is becoming an increasingly popular tourist destination,
not only for its attractive old-world atmosphere and genuine
friendliness, but also for its quaint restaurants, serving
delicious Hoi An specialities, and tailor-made clothes. Rows of
little tailor shops with rolls of fine silk offer the chance to
have beautiful garments made up within hours; however, the
insistence of the tailors can be annoying.
Two miles (4km) to the east of Hoi An is the beach of Cua Dai,
considered to be one of the most beautiful beaches in Central
Vietnam, with its long white sandy stretch. From Hoi An, visitors
can make trips to the large marble rock formations 'The Marble
Mountains', which are closer to Da Nang, or take a short river
cruise. Travellers going north or south can make this a great stop,
if only to step back for a while into Vietnamese history.
Information & Facts
Climate
Featuring a tropical climate, with warm temperatures all year
round (average of 79°F or 26°C), Hoi An still experiences two very
distinct seasons each year; that is, dry and wet. Unsurprisingly,
most tourists choose to visit the area in the dry season, which
runs from February to June. Note that Hoi An can get extremely hot
and humid in July and August.
Language
The official language in Vietnam is Vietnamese. Some
Chinese, English and French are spoken. Tour guides can also speak
Russian and Japanese. Numerous ethnic languages are also spoken in
parts.
Money
The official currency is the Dông (VND). There are no smaller
denominations. Currency can be exchanged at banks, bureaux de
change, hotels and on the black market. Visa, MasterCard and
American Express are becoming more widely acceptable, particularly
in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, but it is best not to rely on them
elsewhere. It is recommended that visitors bring travellers cheques
in US Dollars, which can be cashed at major banks in the main
cities and tourist areas. US currency acts as unofficial tender and
is useful as a back-up when banks won't cash travellers cheques
outside the main cities, but notes must be relatively new and
unmarked. Dông can be withdrawn from ATMs, which are becoming more
widespread.
Shopping
The shopping landscape in Hoi An is dominated by its long
history of sartorial excellence. Lining any of the quaint narrow
downtown streets, are a host of extremely skilled tailors, just
waiting to make you up a fine, custom-fitting outfit, for the
fraction of the price you'd pay for something of equal quality back
home. The materials available are also top-notch: fine silks, and
rich, brushed cotton abounds. A warning, however: these artisans
can be rather insistent, so say 'No' firmly if you're not
interested, and move on.
Time
Local time in Vietnam is GMT +7.