The buildings and street plans of The Ancient Town of Hoi An reflect the influences, both indigenous and foreign, that combined to produce this unique heritage site. In the first century, the city possessed the largest harbor in Southeast Asia and was known as Lam Ap Pho (Champa City). Between the seventh and tenth centuries, the Cham (people of Champa) controlled the strategic spice trade and with this came tremendous wealth. The former harbor town of the Cham, remained an important Vietnamese trading center throughout the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries where Chinese from various provinces, Japanese, Dutch and Indians settled. During this period of the China trade, the town was called Hai Pho (Seaside Town) in Vietnamese. Originally, Hai Pho was a divided town with the Japanese settlement across the “Japanese Bridge” (16th-17th century). The bridge is a unique, covered structure built by the Japanese. It is the only known covered bridge with a Buddhist pagoda attached to one side.
Weather Summary
Hoi An has a tropical climate and sees significant rainfall during most months. There is risk of typhoon from late October to mid-December with most precipitation falling in October, however the rainy season continues until February. March experiences the least amount of rainfall which leads Hoi An into the dry season from March to September. The average temperature in Hoi An is 25.9°C (78.62°F), the warmest month of the year is June with temperatures averaging 29.4°C (84.92°F) and the lowest temperatures of the year are seen in January with an average of 21.6°C (70.88°F).
Highlights of Hoi An
MY SON HOLLY LAND
My Son is a remarkable archaeological site that dates back over a thousand years. Located in a remote forested valley about 70 km (43.5 miles) west of Da Nang, this former capital and religious center of the Cham Kingdom once contained in excess of 70 style temples and stupas. Although badly damaged by bombing raids in the 1960s the site still has over 20 structures and was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999. Visitors are advised to arrive early to beat the rush of tourists and to avoid the heat as there is little shade.
CHAM ISLAND
According to archaeologists, Cu Lao was first settled by the Cham 3,000 years ago and they established business contacts with overseas countries about 1,000 years ago. Up to now, Cu Lao Cham has preserved many architectural constructions which date back to the 18th and 19th centuries. They include the shrine dedicated to Than Yen Sao, built in 1843 at Bai Huong and Hai Tang Pagoda, built in 1753 on the western hillside of Hon Lao. Still, Cu Lao Cham has more to offer. After a 3-hour canoe trip, one may hop over to the famed Well of the Cham people.
JAPANESE COVERED BRIDGE
Built in the early seventeenth century, the Japanese Covered Bridge or Cau Chua Pagoda (in Vietnamese “Cau Nhat Ban”) is one of the most famous tourist attractions in Hoi An, Vietnam. The original Vietnamese name of this bridge is “Lai Vien Kieu”. It is considered that the Japanese Covered Bridge belongs to the Japanese community in Hoi An. No trip to Hoi An would be complete without visiting Japanese Covered bridge. The Japanese Covered Bridge in Hoi An is a beautiful example of the Japanese architecture of the period.
Climate Chart in Hoi An
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