Hoi An, an old town in central Vietnam, is once again waking to the sound of traveller’s footsteps
Hoi An, an old town in central Vietnam, is once again waking to the sound of traveller’s footsteps
Only five years ago a quiet, mossy and rather gloomy little place, Hoi An has changed into a crowded town bursting with energy. It’s not the first time Hoi An has bustled. During the Champa Kingdom period (4th century AD to 14th century AD), Hoi An was the main seaport and the most important stronghold of the kingdom, located 20 km from the capital SIMHAPURA Tra Kieu today). From this port, the seafaring people of Champa sailed north to China, east into the Pacific, south and west to the Indian sub-continent and the Arab world.
In 1558, Nguyen Hoang, the founder of the Nguyen dynasty in Dang Trong (South Vietnam), encouraged an open-door policy to boost local industry and trade.
Early in the 16th century, when the Minh dynasty shut the doors on China, the lucrative silk trade between Japan and China continued through Hoi An port. But by the early 18th century, Hoi An’s Star was fading. When the French took possession of their Da Nang concession at the end of 19th century, Hoi An’s fate was sealed as a satellite.
In Hoi An, you can stay in an ancient-style hotel, walk along narrow streets and have a drink on the riverbank as the sun sets. But, the most attractive thing about Hoi An is its people: candid, hospitable, and always smiling. Their lives seem peaceful and simple, far removed from the stormy pace of the modern world.
After a long period of neglect, work on preserving and restoring the cultural heritage of Hoi An is being carried out with the help of specialists from many countries.
The Association of Hoi An Friends was established to mobilise finance and expertise. Our government has a fund for restoration work. But, the tourism boom has complicated conservation efforts. Uncoordinated design of new buildings in Hoi An has damaged the facade of the town, like bad make-up on an attractive face. Economic growth and development should be welcomed, but if not carried out carefully, they may destroy the cham of old Hoi An Town.
Only five years ago a quiet, mossy and rather gloomy little place, Hoi An has changed into a crowded town bursting with energy. It’s not the first time Hoi An has bustled. During the Champa Kingdom period (4th century AD to 14th century AD), Hoi An was the main seaport and the most important stronghold of the kingdom, located 20 km from the capital SIMHAPURA Tra Kieu today). From this port, the seafaring people of Champa sailed north to China, east into the Pacific, south and west to the Indian sub-continent and the Arab world.
In 1558, Nguyen Hoang, the founder of the Nguyen dynasty in Dang Trong (South Vietnam), encouraged an open-door policy to boost local industry and trade.
Early in the 16th century, when the Minh dynasty shut the doors on China, the lucrative silk trade between Japan and China continued through Hoi An port. But by the early 18th century, Hoi An’s Star was fading. When the French took possession of their Da Nang concession at the end of 19th century, Hoi An’s fate was sealed as a satellite.
In Hoi An, you can stay in an ancient-style hotel, walk along narrow streets and have a drink on the riverbank as the sun sets. But, the most attractive thing about Hoi An is its people: candid, hospitable, and always smiling. Their lives seem peaceful and simple, far removed from the stormy pace of the modern world.
After a long period of neglect, work on preserving and restoring the cultural heritage of Hoi An is being carried out with the help of specialists from many countries.
The Association of Hoi An Friends was established to mobilise finance and expertise. Our government has a fund for restoration work. But, the tourism boom has complicated conservation efforts. Uncoordinated design of new buildings in Hoi An has damaged the facade of the town, like bad make-up on an attractive face. Economic growth and development should be welcomed, but if not carried out carefully, they may destroy the cham of old Hoi An Town.
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