VietNam
The charming beauty of the famous ancient town recognized by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage in Vietnam, Hội An Ancient Town, has won the hearts of tourists from all over the world. Not only that, the idyllic and authentic pace of life, poetic beaches, and the quintessence of many cultures that have been present in Hội An from ancient times have all contributed to this city's unique cuisine.
The reasons why you must visit Hội An?
Hội An is a land with a long history, people lived here for more than 2000 years ago. This is evident in thematic museums in Hội An, such as the Hội An Museum of History and Culture, the Museum of Commercial Ceramics, the Sa Huỳnh Museum, and the Folklore Museum. Along with the World Cultural Heritage Site of Hội An Ancient Town; intangible cultural qualities including lifestyle, people, customs, cuisine, culture, and folk art... continue to draw tourists.
From the end of the 16th century, Hội An became a place for merchants from China, Japan, the Netherlands, India, Spain,… to exchange goods. Therefore, Hội An was considered the point of convergence and interference between East and West cultures. Up to now, the relics in the heart of the ancient town still exist through the ups and downs of history, as well as the rain and shine of time. In contrast to the modern urban area, Hội An impresses visitors with its moss-roofed houses, ancient golden walls, and lanterns that comprise the Hội An trademark. In the heart of the ancient town, there are more than 1,360 relics; more than 1000 old houses and relics of temples, pagodas, assembly halls,... And the Japanese Covered Bridge has become the symbol of this land. The relics in Hội An are interesting sites to discover and experience because of their unique architecture. The majority of the houses here, which are spread out along narrow streets, adhere to traditional architecture dating from the 17th to the 19th centuries. Religious and belief architectural works, which intersperse between houses, demonstrate the process of urban formation and development. The daily life of Hội An residents, including customs, religious activities, folk art, and cultural festivals has been preserved.
Along the Thu Bồn river, the traditional occupation villages of Quảng Nam in general and Hội An in particular have affirmed their position in Vietnamese culture for thousands of generations. Thanh Hà pottery village, Kim Bồng carpentry village, Trà Quế vegetable village, Thanh Châu Salanganes’ nests, Thanh Nam fishing village... are still being preserved and promoted in a new look along with the local tourism industry. From the 16th to 17th centuries, these occupation villages played an important role in the process of economic formation and development in the trading port of Hội An.
Hội An cuisine is rich in flavor, color and fragrance. Natural conditions, society and its own customs, practices, and beliefs have formed the typical Hội An culinary culture. These are the dishes that have captured the hearts of tourists: Quảng noodles, Cao Lầu, chicken rice, White Rose dumplings, and wonton,… which merge and modify traditional Vietnamese cuisine with cuisine from China, Japan, and Champa. Coming to Hội An is like visiting the culinary wonderland of Central Vietnam.
