INFRAME ASIA, DESTINATIONS – Hoi An is one of Vietnam’s most distinctive historic destinations, known for its preserved architecture, narrow streets and colorful lanterns. The town sits along the Thu Bon River in central Vietnam, where its historic center developed as an important trading port. Today, walking through the old town provides a close look at buildings and streets shaped by centuries of commercial and cultural exchange.
The history of Hoi An is closely connected to maritime trade in Southeast Asia. From the 16th to the 19th centuries, merchants from China, Japan and other parts of Asia arrived through the port to trade goods. European traders also became part of the commercial activity, bringing additional influences to the town.
Those international connections can still be seen in Hoi An’s architecture. Traditional Vietnamese houses stand alongside buildings influenced by Chinese and Japanese communities that once lived and traded in the area. The combination gives the old town an architectural character that differs from many other historic cities in Vietnam.
One of the most recognizable structures is the Japanese Covered Bridge. The wooden bridge was built to connect Japanese and Chinese quarters of the historic trading town, and its design combines architectural elements associated with both communities. A small temple structure stands on the bridge, adding another religious and cultural layer to the landmark.
The streets surrounding the bridge lead into some of the oldest parts of Hoi An. Many buildings have narrow frontages and extend deep into their lots, reflecting the traditional layout of merchant houses. Wooden doors, tiled roofs and interior courtyards remain visible along several streets.
The old merchant houses provide another way to understand the town’s commercial history. Tan Ky Ancient House is one of the best-known examples, with architectural details influenced by Vietnamese, Chinese and Japanese traditions. The house was built for a merchant family and has remained associated with several generations of the same family.
Walking farther through the old town brings visitors to small temples, assembly halls and family shrines. Chinese communities established several assembly halls in Hoi An, including the Fujian Assembly Hall, which remains one of the area’s prominent historic buildings. These spaces reflect the communities that settled in the trading port and maintained their religious and cultural traditions.
The Thu Bon River remains closely connected to the town’s identity. Boats travel along the waterway while restaurants, cafés and businesses occupy buildings near the riverfront. The river also provides a changing view of Hoi An as the light shifts throughout the day.
As evening arrives, lanterns become one of the most noticeable features of the old town. Traditional-style lanterns illuminate shopfronts, restaurants and streets around the historic center. During the monthly full-moon lantern festival, electric lights are reduced in parts of the old town and additional lanterns appear along the streets and river.
The lantern tradition is connected to Hoi An’s long history of cultural exchange. Lanterns have been used in the town for generations, with techniques and designs influenced by Vietnamese and Chinese traditions. Today, workshops continue to produce lanterns in different shapes, colors and patterns for local residents and visitors.
The town’s food culture also reflects its position as a former trading center. Local dishes such as cao lau combine noodles, herbs, pork and regional ingredients in a preparation strongly associated with Hoi An. White rose dumplings and cơm gà are other dishes commonly linked to the town’s culinary identity.
The narrow streets also make walking one of the most natural ways to explore the historic center. Many areas become restricted to motorized traffic at certain times, allowing pedestrians to move between shops, cafés, temples and historic houses. The slower pace makes it possible to notice architectural details that are easily missed when traveling through the city by vehicle.
Beyond the central streets, the landscape changes quickly as the town approaches the surrounding countryside. Rice fields, vegetable gardens and waterways stretch outside the historic core, while bicycles are commonly used to travel between the old town and rural areas. Tra Que Vegetable Village is one of the agricultural areas associated with Hoi An’s food and farming traditions.
The river and countryside also connect Hoi An with nearby coastal areas. An Bang Beach lies a short distance from the historic center and provides a different setting with its sandy shoreline and restaurants. The combination of historic streets, farmland and coastline allows the destination to be explored through several distinct landscapes.
Hoi An’s historic center continues to contain homes, shops, restaurants, workshops and religious buildings within the same streetscape. Some buildings have been adapted for tourism, while others remain part of local residential and commercial life. The old town therefore remains a living urban district rather than a collection of isolated monuments.
