Hoian ancient town

Brief history

Hoi An is a small town on the coast of South China Sea in central Vietnam. It is located in the Quang Nam province and is home to approximately 88,000 inhabitants. It’s a largest harbor in South East Asia in First Century with name Lam Ap Pho (Champa City). Hoi An is about 30km to the South of  Da Nang. This is a town facing towards the sea, reflected in the Thu Bon river, which flows to the Doi or Dai estuary. Here is an ancient port town. It was one of the Southeast Asia’s major international ports during the 17th, 18th, 19th centuries. Hoi An was an important port of call for Dutch, Portuguese, Chinese, Japanese and other trading vessels.

The port town was founded in the 15th and 16th centuries.

During the thriving period (in the 16th an 17th centuries), the town was called Hai Pho (Seaside Town). In this period, Hoi An is commerce centre of Dang Trong and Dai Viet. Hai Pho was a divided town, because across the "Japanese Bridge" used to be the Japanese settlement.

The town is known to the French and Spanish as Faifo; the name is thought to be the result of a mess-communication between a local habitant and a Spanish trader around the 17th century. The trader asked whether the place was Pho and received the answer "Phai! Pho." ("Yes! Pho.").

Since the 2nd century B.C, this region was in the area of the Sa Huynh culture. It is important port town of Champa.

After the 19th century, economic activities declined because of many interior and exterior influences.

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Vietnam Attractions

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