Hoi An Travel – Explore Local Life In Hoi An Viet Nam
The ancient town of Hoi An today is a particular type of traditional port town in Southeast Asia that has been preserved intact and thoughtfully. This place is not only attracted to tourists by its ancient architecture but also by its unique culture. Follow Laluna Hoi An to discover extraordinary things few people know about Hoi An travel!
I. Hoi An travels through ancient architecture
1. The architecture of Hoi An Ancient Town
Hoi An Ancient Town is located downriver from the Thu Bon River, 30km south of Da Nang City. This famous old town still remains almost intact with more than 1,000 architectural monuments. Including streets, houses, society’s premises, communal houses, pagodas, temples, clan churches, ancient wells, etc.
The neighborhood is up to 400 years old. The streets in Hoi An Ancient Town are narrow, and winding lines embrace the old houses.
ALT TEXT: Hoi An Travel – Explore Local Life In Hoi An Viet Nam – The streets in Hoi An Ancient Town
NOTE: The streets in Hoi An Ancient Town
2. Traditional house architecture
The most common type of housing in Hoi An is the one- or two-story house with a narrow width and very long depth, creating a tubular house. Especially the way the people here use roofing tiles. The first layer will have tiles facing up and the second layer will have tiles facing down.
This is the yin-yang tile roof, according to the locals. After the roofing stage, the tiles will be firmly fixed with mortar.
ALT TEXT: Hoi An Travel – Explore Local Life In Hoi An Viet Nam – Traditional house architecture
NOTE: Traditional house architecture
II. Discovering Hoi An’s Hidden Gems
1. Hoi An travel – exploring local markets
Hoi An Market is located in the old town, which is recognized by UNESCO as a World Cultural Monument. Not only famous for being a diverse cuisine paradise, Hoi An market is also known as an extremely hot check-in place. So Hoi An travel attracts more and more tourists.
Hoi An Market is divided into many areas. Such as fresh seafood areas, vegetable and fruit areas, souvenir areas, food courts, etc. Visitors can easily buy the items or dishes that they want when Hoi An travel. Let’s eat and enjoy anything when you come here! The stalls at Hoi An market are reasonably arranged, located close to each other, and extremely clean. Therefore, tourists and locals coming here find it convenient and are satisfied.
ALT TEXT: Hoi An Travel – Explore Local Life In Hoi An Viet Nam – Hoi An market
NOTE: Hoi An market
2. Visiting family-run shops
1. Lantern shops:
Hoi An’s lanterns have become the unique culture of the old town. It has quite a variety of colors, showing the sophistication and talent of Vietnamese workers. Lanterns in Hoi An are made from natural bamboo and rattan materials. It has a cylindrical, oval shape and is collapsible. So it is very suitable for tourists to buy as souvenirs when coming to this old town.
ALT TEXT: Hoi An Travel – Explore Local Life In Hoi An Viet Nam – Lantern shop
NOTE: Lantern shop
2. Tailor shops:
Along the streets of Hoi An, visitors will encounter many shops selling clothes. Hoi An, in particular, is well-known for its silk products, and the service of making Ao Dai is flourishing. To accommodate the shopping and garment preferences of tourists, especially foreigners, the tailor shops here have developed an instant sewing model. Of course, this sewing service still ensures high quality and aesthetics.
ALT TEXT: Hoi An Travel – Explore Local Life In Hoi An Viet Nam – Tailor shop NOTE: Tailor shop in Hoi An
3. Souvenir shops:
When Hoi An travel, do not ignore the small streets to buy unique and meaningful gifts for relatives and friends. With their creative ingenuity, the artisans also subtly combine the classic essence with a modern aesthetic. That makes the souvenirs always impressive and beautiful without creating a feeling of boredom and obsolescence.
ALT TEXT: Hoi An Travel – Explore Local Life In Hoi An Viet Nam – Souvenir shop
NOTE: Souvenir shop in Hoi An
III. Experiencing Traditional Culture
1. Attending a traditional lantern-making workshop
Some famous lantern factories are located right in the old town area. You can come here to register for the experience of making lanterns with locals during Hoi An travel. This fun and unique activity is suitable for the entire family, even children aged 3 and up! You can bring home your finished lanterns as a souvenir.
Address:
- Ha Linh Lantern Factory: 72 Tran Nhan Tong, Cam Chau Ward, City Hoi An
- Huynh Van Ba Lantern Factory: 15A Phan Dinh Phung, Cam Son Ward, City Hoi An
Ticket price: 100,000 VND/person.
ALT TEXT: Hoi An Travel – Explore Local Life In Hoi An Viet Nam – Traditional lantern-making workshop
NOTE: Traditional lantern-making workshop in Hoi An
2. Participating in a cooking class with Laluna Hoi An
Sign up for the cooking class if you like Vietnamese food and want to learn a recipe to take home and show your family and friends after Hoi An travel! Moon River Restaurant at Laluna Hoi An will show you the secrets to choosing fresh ingredients and how to make a delicious dish with the rich flavors of the Central region. You will also enjoy your own finished product right here.
Reasonable tuition fee: 650,000 VND/person
ALT TEXT: Hoi An Travel – Explore Local Life In Hoi An Viet Nam – Cooking class
NOTE: Cooking class with Laluna Hoi An
3. Observing local festivals and celebrations
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Flower lanterns festival:
In Hoi An, it’s also known as the full moon festival that is one of the symbols of this ancient town. The festival takes place in the center of the old town – where the Hoai River flows smoothly.
It has long been a meaningful activity, bearing the beauty of the traditional spiritual culture of Hoi An people in particular and Vietnamese people in general. Lanterns bring thoughts of fortune, health, and peace for you and your family.
Moreover, you can experience this activity whenever you have the opportunity to come here at night, not just on holidays.
ALT TEXT: Hoi An Travel – Explore Local Life In Hoi An Viet Nam – Flower lanterns festival
NOTE: Flower lanterns festival in Hoi An
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“Hoi An Memory” show at Hoi An Impression Theme Park
This is an extremely spectacular outdoor art show with more than 500 actors on a 25,000m2 stage. The show also uses many modern sound and lighting effects. It has 5 performances that lead viewers through many historical moments, telling love stories associated with the land of Quang.
ALT TEXT: Hoi An Travel – Explore Local Life In Hoi An Viet Nam – “Hoi An Memory” show
NOTE: “Hoi An Memory” show at Hoi An Impression Theme Park
IV. Concluding thoughts
1. Recap of unique local experiences in Hoi An
Laluna Hoi An will help you summarize the places and activities in the old town that you should experience:
- Hoi An market
- Family-run shops: Lantern shops, tailor shops, souvenir shops
- The traditional lantern-making workshop at Ha Linh Lantern Factory or Huynh Van Ba Lantern Factory
- The cooking class at Laluna Hoi An Hotel
- Flower lanterns festival on the Hoai River
- Hoi An memory show at Hoi An Impression Theme Park
There are also many traditional craft villages worth experiencing with the people of Hoi An:
- Tra Que Vegetable Village
- Thanh Ha Pottery Village
- Kim Bong Carpentry Village
- Ban Thach sedge mat village
- Hoi An Silk Village
- Phuoc Kieu bronze casting village
ALT TEXT: Hoi An Travel – Explore Local Life In Hoi An Viet Nam – Thanh Ha Pottery Village
NOTE: Thanh Ha Pottery Village in Hoi An
2. Final recommendations for travelers
Hoi An Ancient Town is most beautiful at night and bustling on holidays or weekends. During the day, you can visit traditional craft villages to experience activities with the locals. At night, you can walk in the ancient town of Hoi An and enjoy the local cuisine here.
ALT TEXT: Hoi An Travel – Explore Local Life In Hoi An Viet Nam – Hoi An Ancient Town at night
NOTE: Hoi An Ancient Town at night
Above is the suggestion that Laluna Hoi An gives you when Hoi An travel. Therefore, depending on your personal preferences, you should choose the right time and plan to visit the old town!