Hoi An

Although Hoi An is a small city these days, it was one of the most important trading ports of the entire region up until the 1500’s and 1600’s. The remnants of the once thriving port reveal a great deal about the history of not only Vietnam, but also the many different cultures that have influenced the port – so much so that the old town has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

People travel to Hoi An and the coast of the South China Sea to get a taste for the long and diverse history of the region as well as to do some shopping, to visit temples and also to experience rural Vietnamese life.

One of the unique and famous features of the city are the tailors. There is a vast abundance of local sewers, tailors and seamstresses who will measure you up and tailor make shirts, skirts, dresses, pants and suits for a fraction of the price charged in most other parts of the world.

The My Son temples are also within relatively easy reach of the city. The temples are significant because they are the best examples of Hindu temples not only in Vietnam, but South East Asia.

People travel from Hoi An to My Son to see these ancient ruins for themselves. As well as being important religious sites, the site is also the burial place for the ancient rulers of this part of the world. The oldest parts of the temples date back over 1600 years and archaeologists still cannot explain exactly how the temples and structures were built. Modern times have also left their mark as the site was controversially bombed during the Vietnam War.

The village of Tra Que is on the outskirts of Hoi An and offers a unique opportunity to not only see, but participate and directly interact and contribute to the every day life of the villagers.