Vietnam

Hội An, Vietnam – The Ancient Town

by Gregory Caltabanis

Hội An, commonly known as Vietnam’s Ancient Town, is located on the central coast of the country and is rife with canals due to its past as a major port-city between the 15th and 19th centuries. The city’s rich architecture largely stems from this connection, as reflected by the Japanese Covered Bridge. This bridge was first built in the 1590s by the Japanese community and intended to link Hội An to their Chinese counterparts for trading purposes. The bridge and its original Japanese design remain intact today, and are emblematic of Hội An. All in all, it’s well worth a visit.

French and Chinese influence can also be seen in the city via the various colonial buildings and classic temples. In many ways, Hội An is among the most diverse cities in South East Asia and draws upon various cultures as seen in their food, traditions and architecture.

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