Hoi An, which was founded in the 16th century, became one of the region's busiest trading ports. Merchants from China, Japan, the Netherlands, India, and Spain came here to trade. Consequently, the architecture and culture of Hoi A reflect a convergence of East and West. Today Hoi An has a serene and contemplative atmosphere. It impresses visitors with its moss-covered rooftops and ochre-colored walls.
Hoi An boasts 27 nationally recognized relics, including nine within the ancient town, which has been recognized as a special national relic and deemed by UNESCO an exceptionally well-preserved example of a traditional Asian trading port and an outstanding material manifestation of the fusion of cultures over time in an international maritime commercial center.
Hoi An is a living museum of architectural heritage and a vibrant cultural space. It has six craft villages practicing 50 traditional crafts, such as Thanh Ha pottery, Kim Bong carpentry, and Tra Que vegetable farming.
Being designated a World Cultural Heritage Site has motivated Hoi An to preserve its centuries-old craft villages and its distinctive customs and folk arts, including the Lantern Festival, the Mid-Autumn Festival, and Bai Choi singing. These intangible heritages have become popular tourism products that attract large crowds of domestic and international tourists.
Hoi An is regarded as a model for heritage conservation and promotion, thanks to cooperation between local communities, businesses, and authorities. The Quang Nam provincial People’s Committee has developed a project to make Hoi An an eco-cultural-tourism city that preserves its identity while effectively harnessing the economic potential of its heritage.
Hoi An intends to expand its international collaboration in heritage conservation and aspires to become a leading cultural-ecological tourism hub by integrating digital technology into its heritage management and tourism.
