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Hoian is an ancient port town on the Thubon River 30 km south of Danang. Known as Faifo to early Western traders, it was one of the Southeast Asia’s major international ports during the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries. Hoian was an important port of call for Dutch, Portuguese, Chinese, Japanese, and other trading vessels.
Today parts of Hoian look exactly as they did a century and a half ago. Hoian still preserves hundreds of houses built of precious wood in a very original style of architecture, either one or two storeys, in their complete wholeness. The rafters and beams of these houses are carved with very subtle patterns. These houses date from the first part of the 19th century or earlier give visitors the feeling that they have been transported back a couple centuries ago.
Hoian is one of the rare places in Vietnam where you’ll find genuine Vietnamese architecture. Besides this, Hoian is harmonious integration of other architecture styles with the local conditions. There is Japanese quarter linked with a Chinese neighborhood by Japanese Covered Bridge, which was constructed in 1593 by the Japanese Community in Hoian. This bridge reflecting the Japanese preference for understatement, still in its original style attracts many tourists. The Chinese community in Hoian is fond of many temples and Assembly Halls, which are worth visiting again and again. |
