Phan Boi Chau Street (Rue des Arts)

Hoi An

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DESTINATIONS vietnam hoian Do & See Phan Boi Chau Street (Rue des Arts)

Phan Boi Chau Street (Rue des Arts)

Formerly the main street of Hoi An's French Quarter, Phan Boi Chau is currently going through a renaissance: art galleries, exhibition spaces and sophisticated craft boutiques have opened here, bringing the street to the forefront of the town's cultural life. If you only have time for one gallery visit, make it the Precious Heritage Art Gallery Museum. Brainchild of the acclaimed travel photographer Réhahn, the space contains an exhibition of his finest work – photographs taken across Vietnam that seemingly lay bare the souls of their subjects – as well as an impressive collection of authentic garments worn by various ethnic groups across the country. There is a printed guide to the area's venues that can be picked up free of charge at many locations across town.

Do & See

Apart from old merchant homes and assembly halls of various Chinese congregations that are some of the Ancient Town's highlights, Hoi An enjoys a fortunate location within a short distance from the beach, and even has a small island archipelago to its name: the laid-back Cham Islands are only a short ferry ride away, and are a great place for a relaxed getaway from the tourist masses. Cycling tours of the surrounding rice fields and Vietnamese cooking classes are some of the most popular activities in Hoi An, and the former French colonial port of Da Nang is an easy day trip from here (so are the Ba Na Hills with their stunning Golden Bridge held up by two enormous sculpted hands).

Hoi An Ancient Town

Hoi An Ancient Town

The part of Hoi An most sought-after by visitors is its incredibly photogenic mustard-coloured old town, a UNESCO-listed collection of beautifully preserved buildings; some of these still function as private homes, while a total of 22 are open to the public and operate largely as museums. Of particular interest are historic merchant residences, some of …

Golden Bridge

The Cau Vang is a footbridge extending through Ba Na Hills that allows you to enjoy the surrounding natural landscape. The way it is structured may make you think that it is supported by the two massive stone hands, but they're actually decorative fiberglass structures that remain nonetheless a spectacle of their …

Japanese Covered Bridge

Japanese Covered Bridge

One of the Hoi An Ancient Town's most emblematic structures, the Japanese Covered Bridge dates back to the early 17th century, when it was first constructed by the Japanese community as a link to the Chinese quarters of Hoi An. Much of the original ornamental wood carvings remain preserved, and so do the sculptures …

Rice Filed Tour

Rice Filed Tour

Cycling through the rice paddies in the surroundings of Hoi An is a popular day trip from town. Organised tours may include visits to rice farms and guides that walk you through the entire process of rice cultivation; tours are organised by multiple local providers and can be arranged privately or as part of …

Chinese Assembly Halls

Chinese Assembly Halls

The Chinese who settled in Hoi An identified themselves according to their province of origin. Each community built its own assembly hall, known as 'hoi quan' in Vietnamese, for social gatherings, meetings and celebrations. The Fujian Assembly Hall is, perhaps, the best-known one; the Cantonese Assembly Hall stands out for its beauty and contains a …

Cycling in Hoi An

Cycling in Hoi An

Although Hoi An is perfectly walkable, cycling an easy way of getting around if your itinerary extends beyond the old town (including An Bang Beach). The Hoi An Old Town is closed off to all motorised traffic (including motorbikes) on most days, between 8.30 and 11.00 and then again 15.00 to 21.30, which means streets …

Beaches Close to Hoi An

Beaches Close to Hoi An

If time allows to squeeze in a trip to the seaside, An Bang Beach is the best stretch of sand within easy reach from Hoi An. The beach is well-equipped with sunbeds and umbrellas, and is reachable by bicycle. There are multiple cafes and restaurants peppered along the coast, as well as a few …

Phan Boi Chau Street (Rue des Arts)

Phan Boi Chau Street (Rue des Arts)

Formerly the main street of Hoi An's French Quarter, Phan Boi Chau is currently going through a renaissance: art galleries, exhibition spaces and sophisticated craft boutiques have opened here, bringing the street to the forefront of the town's cultural life. If you only have time for one gallery visit, make it the Precious Heritage Art …

Hoi An Central Market

Hoi An Central Market

The bustling Hoi An market takes a little getting used to: it's distinctly more hectic than the downtown area, and teems with local vendors and shoppers as much as it does with tourists. Abundant Asian herbs, souvenirs like lacquered coconut shell bowls, Vietnamese coffee-makers and traditional cone hats are some of the wares on …

Old House of Tan Ky

Old House of Tan Ky

Seven generations saw to the Tan Ky house remaining in the excellent condition it welcomes visitors in today, as it continues to stand as an excellent example of the confluence of cultural influences that define Hoi An. This 18th century merchant home combines elements of Chinese and Japanese design, and even features elements of …

Hoi An Night Market

Hoi An Night Market

From 6 to 9 pm daily, Hoi An's Nguyen Hoang Street transforms into a 300-metre long bustling night market, unfolding underneath a myriad colourful lanterns. It's a great place to stock up on souvenirs: prices are low and can get even lower for those with haggling …