Picturesque Hoi An
During a walk through the old part of Hoi An you will be short of eyes. The city is picturesque in detail, every stone breathes history. On the quays are stately old houses with beautifully crafted wooden façade ornaments, you'll see multicolored wall mosaics inlaid with Chinese porcelain, Chinese temples, and if you want to cross the Japanese bridge you pass statues of a dog and a monkey. Hoi An seems to be an open-air museum, where in the meantime life is well lived. The very different styles tell a story.
The heyday of Faifo
Hi An has had a long flowering period. From the 15th to the 19th century – the city was then called Faifo – the major trade companies from Europe, Japan, China and India regularly established here. The VOC had its own trading post for a short time, but it was mainly the Japanese and Chinese who left their signature in the city. When the trade moved to Danang,Faifo fell into oblivion. As developments continued elsewhere, time stood still here. The old street plan, the canals and bridges, the richly decorated wooden façades, even the interiors of the most beautiful trading houses remained exceptionally intact.
'A peaceful meeting place'
The doors of Hoi An are wide open again, for a new audience. You are welcome to take a look at special properties, and in the shops new merchandise are waiting for you. Fine hand-painted silk, stylish clothing, gold and silver jewelry, ceramics, everything is handcrafted. In the restaurants you will find dishes with the aroma of various Asian countries, a direct result of the multicultural heritage. The city is brimming with life. The meaning of the name Hoi An is honoured, because once again the city is 'a peaceful meeting place'.
