Introduction
Hoi An, set just inland from the coast along the banks of the Thu Bon River, is home to a richly traditional old town - now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A former port city, Hoi An's multi-cultural history is reflected in a blend of Chinese, French and Japanese architectural styles.
The city was once one of the most important trading posts in South East Asia, with merchants lured from far and wide by the prospect of highly prized silks. Nowadays, the ships have all but disappeared and the new boom in industry comes from tourism, turning the silk traders into tailors. Take a walk through the town's winding backstreets and get measured up for a finely tailored silk skirt or suit, enjoy the nearby beaches, the stunning Water Coconut Palm Canal, or the ruins at My Son – a 4th century Hindu temple complex honoured by UNESCO as the final bastion of Cham culture.
