Hoi An also attracts tourists thanks to its poetic and picturesque landscapes such as Thuan Tinh islet, Cua Dai beacch, together with traditional handicrafts and famous local specialities.
Hoi An was listed as a world cultural heritage site by UNESCO in December 1999. As statistics shows, in Hoi An there are 1,360 relics and landscapes. These relics are divided into eleven kinds, including 1,068 ancients houses, 19 pagodas, 43 temples, 23 communal houses, 38 family temples, 5 assembly halls, 11 old wells, one bridge, 44 ancient tombs. In old quarter, there are more than 1000 relic sites.
Japanese Coverd Bridge
Conecting Tran Phu St. with Nguyen Thi Minh Khai St., Japanese Covered bridge was constructed in the middle of the 16th century by Japanese merchants in Hoi An. Due to natural disaster, Japanese Covered bridge was restored so many times that it gradually lost its original Japanese architecture style and was impacted by Vietnamese and Chinese design. The bridge was provided with a roof which was arched shape and skilfully carved with many fine patterns. Over the door, 3 Chinese characters “ Lai Van Kieu†(it means Bridge for Passers-by From Afar) were carved prominently to name the bridge by Nguyen Phuc Chu Lord in his trip to Hoi An in 1719.
The two entrances to the bridge are guarded by a pair of monkeys on one side and a pair of dogs on the other. According to legend, these once lived an enormous monster called Cu whose head was in India, its tail in Japan and its body in Vietnam. Whenever the monster moved, terrible disaster such as floods and earthquake befell these places. Thus, aprat from the purpose of transportation, building the bridge aslo is to speak-killing the monster to preserve safe and peaceful life.
Japanese Covered Bridge is an invaluable property and has been officially selected to be the symbol of Hoi An.
Quan Thang ancient house (77 Tran Phu St.)
Quan Thang is, currently, evaluated as one of the nicest ancient houses in Hoi An. It is an over 150 year old house with architecture style of Hoa Ha, China. Through years, the syle as well as interior decoration of the house has been lovingly preserved. That helps us partly imagine the lifestyle of its owner generations who were the merchants class in Hoi An earlier. It is known that the whole of lively and fine architecture and sculptures were made by craftmen of Kim Bong carpentry village.
This is a main spot in the journey of discovery the world cultural heritage in Hoi An.
Tan Ky ancient house (101 Nguyen Thai Hoc St.)
Built about 200 years ago, Tan Ky’s architecture style is piped shape - a typical style of Hoi An ancient houses. Its interior is divided into many apartments and each one has its own function. The front of the house is used for stores and the back of the house near the river was the place for import and export goods. The interior decoration item was made of unique wood skilfully carved with symbols of dragon, fruits, eight weapons, silk fillets showing well-off of its owners.
On 17th February 1990 Tan Ky house was listed as a national historical vestige.
Phung Hung ancient house (04 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai St.)
Over 100 years old, Phung Hung house possessed a unique architecture. The high wooden ceiling and large corridors represent the development of architecture and exchange among Asian architectural styles in Hoi An in the earlier centuries. The house exhibits a lot of information about the lifestyle of merchants who lived in Hoi An long time ago. Although being made from unique woods, Phung Hung house was not carved at all by the owner on purpose.
On the 29th of June 1993 the house was listed as a national historical vestige.
Phuc Kien Assembly hall (46 Tran Phu St)
It is said that Phuc Kien Assembly hall was once a small temple where Thien Hau Thanh Mau statue (a goddess who protects merchants sailing in the sea) was worshiped. It was picked up on the beach of Hoi An in 1697. Due to restorations and support of the Fukien people, the Assembly hall became resplendent and spacious taking part in the embellishment of Hoi An architecture. Arranging the statues for worshiping means “ human happiness†profoundly expess the oriental philosophy.
Annually, on the 15th of January lunar year, 16th of February lunar year and 23th of March lunar year many activities are organized, attracting a lot of foreigners as well as domestic tourists.
On 17th of February 1990 Fukien was listed a national historical vestige.
Trieu Chau Assembly hall (157 Nguyen Duy Hieu St.)
Trieu Chau Assembly hall was built in 1845. The General Phuc Ba, who was claimed to be able to make winds calm and waves quiet, was worshipped there.
The house possesses a special value in architecture with its skilfully carved wood house-frame and wooden decorated alter and many glazed terracotta carving works.
