Hoi An - city of magic and lights

The charming ‘yellow town’ is packed with history and full of opportunities to create magical memories. Here are the top suggestions for what to do when visiting… With its old-world architecture, cobbled streets, and distinctive yellow shop fronts festooned with colorful lanterns, it’s no wonder Hội An’s considered one of the most beautiful places in all of Vietnam. In 2021, Hội An – a UNESCO world cultural heritage site since 1999 − was named Asia's Leading Cultural City Destination at the World Travel Awards. Yet there’s more to it than awards and postcard-perfect beauty. The town boasts a long history of drawing people from across the world. Archaeological evidence suggests a trade in the region was happening as early as the second century BC. Hội An grew into a bustling trading port. During the Cham Dynasties (7th-10th centuries), it was an economic hub, where merchants from Asia, Persia, and Arabia traded. Later, the famed Silk Road maritime route saw ships from Europe start flocking to the port. From the 15th to 19th centuries, Hội An was a major Southeast Asian trading post. Here, goods were traded, and ideas and cultures were shared. Today, tourism is the town’s major trade. But evidence of its fascinating history is everywhere. Wander any of its picturesque, pedestrian-friendly streets and you’ll see influences from a range of eras, places and cultures. And with its many shop-houses, it’s still considered a mecca for purchasing silk and other valued items.