Have you ever wondered what the criterion is for designating a city as a UNESCO (The United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization) World Heritage Site? Well, according to the agency, it takes a city of “outstanding universal value” to achieve such a landmark status.
Luckily for Vietnam, one of UNESCO’s 878 World Heritage Sites is designated in its history-rich old town of Hoi An.
But that’s not even all: in order to be deemed a World Heritage Site, the location must be of Outstanding Universal Value, demonstrating international significance; it must “transcend national boundaries and be of common importance for present and future generations of humanity.” In simple terms, it must be a location that reflects our identity as humans and preserves our heritage.
So considering that Hoi An is one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites around today, what does this tell you about this ancient town of Vietnam? Well, we can infer that there must be something truly magical and worth dying for about Hoi An.
If this is your thought, then I’m happy to inform you that you’re not really far from the fact.
But I don’t think you can truly grasp the awesomeness of this part of Vietnam until you book a tour via Explore One Vietnam to experience up close the wonders of the land.
Fun Fact: Remember the infamous Vietnam War of 1955? Well, Hoi An is that famous city that was never bombed.
Without further ado, here are some of the many reasons why you should visit Hoi An at least once in your life.
Get a suit made
Hoi An has a long history of housing several tailors with a multiplicity of skills. It doesn’t matter what manner of bespoke suits you grew up to know, Vietnamese suits will surely take your breath away. And as you might have guessed, the best place in the country to get these suits made is none other than Hoi An.
If you’re looking for those jaw-dropping custom-tailored suits that will blow the minds of your friends away, then you should at least visit Hoi An once in your life to get this done. Renowned across the entire country for its exemplary textile industry and amazing tailors, Hoi An is the place to go to for your custom-tailored suits in Vietnam.
Walk around the Old Town
Growing up, one of the most popular war tales many of us got to hear about was the infamous Vietnam War. Unfortunately, the impact of this war is still felt in so many parts of the country, with Hoi An being the only town that was largely spared.
Due to the little-to-no bombing impact in this region, the gorgeous buildings and architecture of ancient Vietnam are still intact in the area. So if you’re looking to explore what an ancient South-East Asia truly looked like, then you should check out Hoi An.
In fact, according to several reports, the old town is said to date back to over 2,000 years ago, making it one of the oldest towns in the world.
Be a farmer for a day
If I may ask you: have you ever experienced a live farming session before? Observing and watching how lands are being cultivated, plants are being grown, and crops are being harvested. If no, I don’t blame you; and I really understand why you haven’t. Since many a person reside in urban areas and cities, it is very unlikely that they would have seen up close agricultural practices at their very core.
However, you can break the trend by paying a visit to Hoi An today. Specifically, at the Tra Que Vegetable Village, visitors are treated to the very best of farming practices, while also getting the rare opportunity of being a farmer for a day. So, if you’d like to get your hands dirty, experience the feeling of being a farmer, and cultivate your first-ever vegetable, then you should consider visiting this part of Hoi An.
Get some local handicrafts
Are you a true lover of handmade products? Do you lose your breath at the sight of a beautifully crafted piece? If so, a trip to Hoi An should be placed atop of your bucket list today.
Not many destinations in the world can boast of having the number of handicraft villages and shops that Hoi An has.
Additionally, you can also take a casual tour to the handicraft villages of Hoi An to learn about the cultural and historical background behind the making of these items. Trust me, many of the stories you’ll likely hear will make you marvel at the level of ingenuity of Vietnamese.
Learn about the Vietnamese cuisines
It doesn’t matter whether you’re an intercontinental chef seeking to learn about the different global dishes that are there or you’re just a random cuisine-enthusiasts, adding the Vietnamese cuisine to your portfolio of cooking skills will surely make you more respected in your society. And as you might have guessed, what better place is there to learn about the cuisine of a country than the heart of the country itself?
Not only is Hoi An perfect for experiencing the elegant taste of Vietnamese cuisine, but it also boasts some of the best cooking schools in the region. With its plethora of cooking schools, travelers and tourists alike can learn and get stuck in all things Vietnamese foods.
Check out the Japanese covered bridge
If you’re not married yet, then you should consider yourself lucky for finding this post early enough. Located in the center of the city and popularly regarded as the city’s focal point, the Japanese Covered Bridge has been attracting amorous Vietnamese couples for so many years now. The bridge spans some 12 meters and is famous for its ornate carvings, many of which are in the shape of monkeys and dogs. So, if you wouldn’t mind adding a touch of Vietnamese culture to your wedding photo album, you can visit the Japanese Covered Bridge at Hoi An for some breathtaking shots.
Visit the Hoi An museum
Perhaps you’ve been dying to know more about the things that really happened during the Vietnam War, or you’re just enthusiastic about learning about the history of Hoi An, then you should consider coming to the heart of the city – the Hoi An museum.
Here you’ll find a huge range of pieces, artifacts, and objects that tell the tales of the area, including antiques that date back from the Cham period, as well as the colonial period.
This article does not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors or management of EconoTimes.