Hoi An Ancient Town Guide
UNESCO World Heritage Site — old merchant houses, Chinese assembly halls, four centuries of multicultural architecture, and lantern-lit magic
Hoi An Ancient Town is an exceptionally well-preserved example of a Southeast Asian trading port dating from the 15th to 19th centuries. Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1999, the town's remarkable collection of over 1,000 historic buildings reflects the unique blend of indigenous and foreign cultures — Japanese, Chinese, Vietnamese, and French — that traded here for over four centuries.
Walking through the car-free streets of the Ancient Town is like stepping back in time. Narrow lanes are lined with atmospheric merchant houses, their facades painted in shades of ochre and mustard yellow, draped with bougainvillea and hundreds of silk lanterns. Ornate Chinese assembly halls with dragon-topped roofs sit beside Japanese-influenced wooden structures. The Thu Bon River flows along the southern edge, where traditional wooden boats are moored at ancient trading wharves. Unlike many UNESCO sites that feel like outdoor museums, Hoi An's Ancient Town is a living, breathing community — families still occupy centuries-old houses, artisans practice traditional crafts, and the food scene is extraordinary. It is, quite simply, one of the most beautiful and atmospheric places in all of Southeast Asia.
1999
UNESCO Listed
120,000₫
Ticket (5 Sites)
Morning
Best Time
1,000+
Historic Buildings
Essential Information
The Old Town ticket costs 120,000₫ and allows entry to 5 heritage sites from a list of 20+ options: the Japanese Covered Bridge, old houses (Tan Ky, Phung Hung, Quan Thang), assembly halls (Phuc Kien, Cantonese, Hainan, Chaozhou), museums (History, Culture, Ceramics, Sa Huynh), traditional music performances, and handicraft workshops. Tickets are sold at booths throughout the town and are valid for 24 hours. Walking the streets is free — tickets are only for entering heritage buildings.
Early morning (6:00-8:00 AM) for quiet streets and beautiful golden light — perfect for photography and peaceful exploration. Late afternoon (4:00-6:00 PM) when the heat fades and warm light illuminates the yellow facades. Evening (6:30-9:00 PM) is the most magical when lanterns glow and the town transforms into a fairyland. Avoid 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM when the heat and crowds are at their peak, especially December through March.
The Ancient Town is a pedestrian zone — no cars or motorbikes during the day. Walking is the best way to explore the compact area (roughly 1 km x 0.5 km). Bicycles are permitted and popular for reaching the outer edges and nearby areas like An Bang Beach. Most hotels provide free bicycles or rentals cost 30,000-50,000₫/day. Grab and taxis drop off at the perimeter. Wear comfortable shoes as the streets are uneven and can be slippery after rain.
The main streets (Tran Phu, Nguyen Thai Hoc) get packed between 10:00 AM and 4:00 PM. Escape to the quieter side streets running perpendicular — Hoang Van Thu, Le Loi, and the riverside alleys — where you will find hidden temples, art galleries, and atmospheric cafes with few tourists. The western end of the Ancient Town beyond the Japanese Covered Bridge is consistently less crowded. Visit ticketed heritage sites first thing in the morning or after 4:00 PM for the best experience.
Must-See Heritage Sites
Tan Ky Old House
The most famous merchant house in Hoi An, Tan Ky has been continuously occupied by the same family for seven generations since its construction over 200 years ago. This beautifully preserved two-story wooden house is a masterclass in Hoi An's unique architectural fusion — Japanese structural design in the ceiling, Chinese decorative motifs in the carvings, and Vietnamese craftsmanship in the wooden joinery. The interior features exquisite mother-of-pearl inlay furniture, antique ceramics from trading partners across Asia, and flood-level markers on the walls showing how high the Thu Bon River has risen over the centuries. The family members who still live here serve as guides, sharing stories passed down through generations about the house's history and the golden age of Hoi An trading.
Phuc Kien (Fujian) Assembly Hall
The largest and most ornate of Hoi An's five Chinese assembly halls, Phuc Kien was founded in 1697 by merchants from Fujian province in southeastern China. The stunning complex features an elaborate triple-arched gateway, a peaceful courtyard with bonsai trees and fountains, and a richly decorated main hall dedicated to Thien Hau — the goddess of the sea who protected merchants and sailors. The intricate carvings of dragons, phoenixes, and mythical creatures are extraordinary, and the main altar with its spiraling incense coils is one of the most photographed interiors in the Ancient Town. The assembly hall also houses a small museum displaying artifacts from Chinese trading ships that sailed between Fujian and Hoi An.
Cantonese Assembly Hall (Quang Trieu)
Built in 1885 by the Cantonese Chinese community, this assembly hall is renowned for its spectacular ceramic dragon fountain in the central courtyard — a masterpiece of ceramic art featuring coiling dragons amid waves and clouds. The main hall is dedicated to Quan Cong, the Chinese god of war, loyalty, and righteousness, with a large red-faced statue flanked by his loyal generals. The assembly hall's architecture is distinctly Cantonese with elaborate roof ridgeline decorations featuring ceramic figurines depicting scenes from Chinese mythology and opera. The peaceful courtyard garden with its bonsai trees, orchids, and the sound of trickling water makes this a welcome oasis from the busy streets outside.
Phung Hung Old House
Located directly adjacent to the Japanese Covered Bridge, Phung Hung Old House has been home to the same family for eight generations since the late 18th century. The two-story wooden structure demonstrates the three distinct architectural influences that define Hoi An — the Japanese-style wooden ceiling, the Chinese-influenced balcony design, and the Vietnamese tiled roof. The house was built as both a home and a warehouse for the family's trading business. During flood season, the family would move all their goods and furniture to the upper floor as water filled the ground level — flood marks on the walls show water reaching over one meter in severe years. The current family members are warm and welcoming guides.
Architecture Styles
Japanese Influence
The Japanese merchant community established a significant presence in Hoi An from the 15th to 17th centuries. Their architectural contributions are most visible in the Japanese Covered Bridge and the structural design of many merchant houses — particularly in the use of heavy wooden beams, the distinctive bridge-style ceiling construction, and the overall emphasis on structural solidity. Japanese-influenced buildings tend to favor simplicity and natural wood over ornate decoration. After Japan's policy of national isolation (Sakoku) began in the 1630s, the Japanese community gradually diminished, but their architectural legacy remains deeply embedded in the town's building traditions.
Chinese Influence
Chinese merchants, particularly from Fujian, Cantonese, Hainan, Chaozhou, and Hakka communities, became the dominant trading presence in Hoi An from the 17th century onward. Their influence is most visible in the five magnificent assembly halls (hoi quan) that served as community centers, temples, and meeting places. Chinese architectural elements include elaborate carved wooden screens, ceramic roof ridgeline figurines depicting mythological scenes, dragon and phoenix motifs, spiral incense coils in temple interiors, and the use of feng shui principles in building orientation. The intricate mother-of-pearl inlay work in many merchant houses also reflects Chinese decorative traditions.
Vietnamese Influence
Vietnamese architectural traditions form the foundation of most residential buildings in the Ancient Town. Distinctive elements include the yin-yang tile roofing, tube house design (narrow frontage but extending deep into the block to maximize street-facing commercial space), courtyard gardens providing natural light and ventilation, and the use of jackfruit wood in construction — prized for its durability and resistance to insects. Vietnamese craftsmanship is evident in the delicate wooden joinery that holds buildings together without nails, and in the practical adaptations for tropical climate including raised floors, ventilated walls, and flood-resistant ground floor design.
French Colonial Influence
French colonial rule from the mid-19th century introduced European architectural elements that created a unique fusion with existing Asian styles. Balconies with wrought-iron railings, shuttered windows, stucco facades painted in pastel yellows and ochres, and Art Deco geometric details appear throughout the Ancient Town, often blended seamlessly with Vietnamese and Chinese building traditions. The French influence is most visible along Bach Dang Street facing the river and in several buildings along Tran Phu Street. Many of these French-influenced buildings now house boutique hotels, restaurants, and art galleries, their colonial facades draped with Hoi An's signature silk lanterns.
Walking Tips & Suggested Routes
Morning Heritage Walk (2-3 hours)
Start at the Japanese Covered Bridge on the western end of Tran Phu Street. Walk east along Tran Phu, visiting Phung Hung Old House, Phuc Kien Assembly Hall, and Tan Ky Old House (using 3 of your 5 ticket entries). Continue to the Cantonese Assembly Hall and Quan Cong Temple. End at the Central Market for a well-deserved bowl of Cao Lau. This route covers approximately 1.5 km and hits the most significant heritage sites in a logical sequence. Start by 8:00 AM for the quietest experience.
Evening Lantern Walk (1-2 hours)
Begin on Bach Dang Street along the river at sunset (around 5:30 PM). Walk west toward the Japanese Covered Bridge, watching the lanterns gradually illuminate as darkness falls. Cross to Nguyen Thai Hoc Street and walk east, admiring the lantern-draped facades and the warm glow from tailor shops and cafes. Stop at a riverside restaurant or rooftop bar for drinks overlooking the illuminated town. The walk is about 1 km and is purely atmospheric — no ticketed sites needed. This is the Hoi An experience you will remember forever.
Hidden Alleys Exploration (2 hours)
Escape the main streets by exploring the narrow alleys running between Tran Phu and Nguyen Thai Hoc streets. These quiet lanes are home to hidden temples, tiny art galleries, traditional workshops, and atmospheric cafes that most tourists never find. Look for the small alley near 150 Tran Phu that leads to a secret courtyard garden, and the narrow passage between 69 and 71 Nguyen Thai Hoc that opens onto a riverside viewing platform. Getting deliberately lost in the alleys is one of the great pleasures of the Ancient Town.
Riverside & Market Walk (1.5 hours)
Start at the eastern end of Bach Dang Street near the boat landing. Walk west along the riverfront, passing traditional wooden boats, souvenir stalls, and waterfront cafes. Cross Nguyen Hoang bridge for views of the river and the Ancient Town skyline. Return to the south bank and head to the Central Market (Cho Hoi An) for street food and fresh produce. This is a wonderful morning walk that combines river views, local market life, and the atmospheric edges of the Ancient Town that most visitors overlook.
Related Guides
Japanese Covered Bridge
The iconic 1590s bridge with night lantern views and a hidden Buddhist temple.
Read GuideCentral Market
Cao Lau, White Rose dumplings, and the best morning food experience in Hoi An.
Read GuideAn Bang Beach
Hoi An's best beach with beach bars, sunrise views, and water sports.
Read GuideFrequently Asked Questions
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