Hoi An Things to Do

Hoi An's Old Town is a World Heritage Site and to visit it, you technically have to purchase a city ticket for 50,000 dong (just over $3). Along with strolling the narrow streets, you can also enjoy one attraction in four different categories: old houses, meeting halls, museums, and temples. The price is steep by local standards but it seems to be doing a good job of preserving the area so I figure its money well spent. Quan Cong Temple is one of your choices of places to visit on your city ticket. This is a good example of a Chinese temple with lots of red and gold ornamentation and a carp-filled pond in the opened portion of the inner courtyard. This open space allows for some nice lighting if you get there around midday.

When you purchase your city ticket for 50,000 dong, you can choose from a number
of Old Houses. One complaint with this system is it forces you to buy more than
one ticket or to pay extra to see more of these fantastic glimpses into the past
history of Hoi An. I, for one, would rather go to more of the houses than the
elaborate but, for my tastes, ostentatious Chinese meeting halls. We did check
out two of the houses and Tan Ky was the most impressive for the interior decorations. This elaborate table of mother of pearl was a true highlight. Perhaps the most memorable thing about these incredible homes is their inner courtyards. Though well in the busy Old Town, you find such tranquility in them. You can also enjoy the intricate wooden carving that is traditionally the hallmark of these stunning architectural marvels.

One of Hoi An's biggest attractions, this Japanese built bridge dates back in various incarnations to 1593 and contrasts sharply with the Vietnamese penchant for elaborate ornamentation. Simple but ruggedly constructed, there is a small temple built inside and the two entrances of the bridge are guarded by a pair of dogs on one side and monkeys on the other. I found it a bit anti-climatic due to all the fuss made about it but certainly worth the short walk over to see it though you should pass on the temple inside and use your ticket for the Quan Cong Temple.

Hoi An is a real hodgepodge when it comes to architecture. Evidence of its past as the first Chinese settlement in south Vietnam is readily seen in the abundance of Chinese meeting halls that dot the city. Interspersed with these are 19th century wooden houses that show both Chinese and Japanese influences. Adding color to this already eclectic mixture are numerous examples of Hoi An’s French Colonial past. These simple but elegant buildings are noted for their wooden shudders that stand out against otherwise yellow exteriors.

If Hoi An were a totally landlocked town, it would still be spectacular. However, with Cua Dai beach a mere five kilometers away and the atmospheric Thu Bon River running through it, it has its share of natural as well as man-made beauty. This splendor is not lost on the local population as much of the city’s commerce still revolves around the rivers flow. To visit Hoi An and not enjoy the livelihood of this picturesque river would be to miss quite a bit. And very unlikely at that as it seems to draw all those who come to town.

This fantastic temple was built in 1653. It has a nice central pond where you can see fishes, turtles and other aquatic animals. It is decorated in an intense and "baroque" chinese style, with gold and red motifs everywhere you look at.
It is located in the back part of the market.

Hmm, seems somehow we managed to visit more than one of the Chinese meeting halls. From looking at the map and using my sometimes failing memory, I figure this was the Chaozhou Hall, but I can't be sure. At any rate, there are lots of nice sights to see in Hoi An so just walk around and stay away from the crowds as much as possible. Most people come here on a day trip and go to only the most popular sights so go in the opposite direction for the most atmosphere. This place was totally empty and just as nice as anything we saw in town.

Officially known as "Assembly Hall of the Cantonese Chinese Congregation", this building (1786) was the gathering place for this trading association.
It has a meeting Hall, an altar deidcated to Quan Cong and an entrance hall.
It can be visited with the general tickets too. Is located near the Japanese Bridge.

There are other Assembly Halls:
- Chaozhou Chinese Congregation
- Hainan Chinese Congregation
- Fujian Chinese Congregation

and ageneral "All Community Assembly Hall".