Walk in Hoi An – Quang Nam, Vietnam
Hoi An, formerly known in English as Faifo or Faifoo, is a city in Vietnam’s Quang Nam Province and is noted as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1999. Hội An (chữ Hán: 會安) translates as “peaceful meeting place”.
Along with the Cu Lao Cham archipelago, it is part of the Cu Lao Cham-Hoi An Biosphere Reserve, designated in 2009.
The early history of Hoi An is that of the Chams. These Austronesian-speaking Malayo-Polynesian people created the Kingdom of Champa which occupied much of what is now central and lower Vietnam, from Huế to beyond Nha Trang.
Various linguistic connections between Cham and the related Jarai language and the Austronesian languages of Indonesia (particularly Acehnese), Malaysia, and Hainan have been documented.
Between the 7th and 10th centuries, the Chams (people of Champa) controlled the strategic spice trade and with this came increasing wealth.
Old Town Hoi An, the city’s historic district, is recognized as an exceptionally well-preserved example of a Southeast Asian trading port dating from the 15th to the 19th century. Its buildings and street plan reflecting a blend of indigenous and foreign influences.
This longtime trading port city offers a distinctive regional cuisine that blends centuries of cultural influences from East and Southeast Asia.
Hoi An hosts a number of cooking classes where tourists can learn to make cao lầu or braised spiced pork noodle, a signature dish of the city.
Another attraction is the Hoi An Lantern Full Moon Festival taking place every full moon cycle. The celebrations honour the ancestors. People exchange flowers, lanterns, candles, and fruits for prosperity and good fortune.
The Faifo Coffee house has an open air rooftop that has become a particularly popular location for Asian tourists to stop for well dressed selfies and posed photos.
Video Source: HOI AN, Vietnam – UNESCO Heritage Ancient Town – 4K 60fps (UHD) from POPtravel on Youtube ⁄ CC BY
