HoiAn walking in the footsteps of history

Hoi An has been trading with the outside world since almost the 15th century. Once one of the busiest ports in all of South East Asia, the docksides of this relatively small central Vietnamese town were once awash with the sound of Chinese, Japanese, American, European and Indonesian traders, all bringing their wares to Vietnam’s doorstep. Warehouses strained under the weight of the orient’s finest silks and spices. Everything, from elephant tusks to beeswax, from paper to porcelain, was brought here and from here to the world.

Hoi An still maintains a brisk trade with all its old business partners. However, it’s now Hoi An’s cash tills rather than its docks that ring to the sound of international commerce. Hoi An, with its traditional housing and narrow streets, all unspoilt by the passage of time, is a tourist mecca. Apart from the faces, little has changed in Hoi An since its commercial hey day. The nations of the globe still flock here, now to wander its ancient streets and marvel at a piece of Vietnam’s living history.

Let the time go slowly in quaint Hoi An with Custom Vietnam Travel company

On a tour to Hoi An Ancient Town in Quang Nam Province, after walking around old streets and craft villages, tourists should take a short tour to tramp around villages, cycle on winding trails, ride buffaloes or try to be a fisherman for the day to learn more about local life.

Images of buffaloes are very familiar to locals but are a bit strange to foreigners, so this Canadian tourist stopped for a while to take photos of the buffaloes

The tour just takes travelers a few hours but promises to bring amazing experiences. Tourists will have a great time strolling around countryside roads as they can appreciate the rustic nature of farmlife.

Foreigners use nets to catch fi sh as they learn about the lives of local fi shermen. To book the tour, tourists can contact Hoi An Eco.

Here are some snapshots taken by The Saigon Times Daily journalist Minh Duy.