Pho Co Hoi An

Hoi An: Quang Trieu Assembly Hall

Chinese Cantonese merchants built the Quang Trieu Assembly Hall in 1885. You will have to use one of the coupons in your tourist ticket to visit it.

Hoi An: Tourist cyclos

In this picture you can see a raw of Cyclos. Cyclos are an excellent way of visiting the city. Especially if you feel tired. Make sure you state the price clear before accepting the service, though.

In the picture you can see Hoi An's main market. Local markets are always a must see in Vietnam. This one is no exception. In the market you will not only be able to see what local eat, but how hectic they are.

Whenever you feel hungry, go to the local market, and order one of the fast snacks. Stalls serve food all day long. Eating in the local market is something not many tourists do. I am sure the Vietnamese ladies will be pleased to serve you.

Hoi An, night restaurant
The picture shows one of the restaurantsin Hoi An. Prices and quality of the local restaurants do not differ a lot. One of my recommended dishes is the Hot Pot. Locals prepare this dish themselves, but in tourist restaurants like the one in the picture, they will prepare it for you.

Hoi An, Lantern Shop

During the 16th and 17th centuries the town of Hoi An underwent a period of expansion. Trade with Dutch, French and Portuguese ports was frequent. In the following centuries battles among competing royal families in the nearby imperial city of Hue destroyed the local economy. The construction of a new port in the neighboring city of Da Nang, led Hoi An to oblivion.

It was not until the 1980's when foreign scholars discovered the preserved architecture of ancient Hoi An, that the city recovered its splendor. With the help of the UNESCO and Poland, the town was restored. Since then, tourism has been the city's main source of income.

Hoi An, Vietnamese girls

One of the historic visitors of Hoi An was the French missionary Alexandre de Rhodes. He created the Latin script which Vietnamese language still uses today. The Western Characters make reading Vietnamese much easier than reading other languages in the region.

Hoi An: old Vietnamese lady

Although money tourists bring is slowly improving the quality of life of locals, many of them still have to live with a salary equivalent of a few dollars a month. Many of the farmers in the region come to Hoi An to sell their goods in the streets.

Hoi An: Night restaurant

In this picture you can see one of my favorite restaurants in town. It is a floating restaurant next to the town's docks. Here you can try the local delicacies. If you are not sure what to order, let the waiter guide you. I recommend ordering different dishes, and sharing them with people on your table.