Photo: Collected

Hoi An is an ancient town with long-standing cultural values. This place also possesses many poetic landscapes and attractive entertainment spots that are not inferior to Da Nang. If you don't know where to go in Hoi An, these 20 enchantingly beautiful Hoi An tourist destinations will give you an idea to explore.

Hoi An - a world-famous tourist destination

Hoi An is an ancient town in the coastal plain of Quang Nam, located in the lower Thu Bon River. This used to be the largest and busiest commercial port in Southeast Asia. But today, people no longer know Hoi An as a commercial port but as an ancient and attractive tourist city.

Hoi An tourism is attracting more and more tourists to visit, not only Vietnamese tourists but also international tourists coming to explore the old town are increasing. That has helped Hoi An ancient town create a great brand to reach abroad, helping Vietnam's tourism industry attract more and more international tourists.

Source: Collected

Even though right next to Da Nang, it’s far different from the crowded and bustling, worth-living-in city. Hoi An carries within itself the beauty of frozen time with an ancient atmosphere: mossy tiled roofs, streets filled with red lanterns or ancient houses, and architectural works that have existed for hundreds of years.

Hoi An attracts tourists from all over the world. In addition to its ancient features and long-standing relics, its beautiful beaches and traditional villages are also destinations that tourists love. This can be considered a new color for old town tourism, so that anyone who comes here, even once or many times, will not feel bored.

With a diversity of attractions, from ancient houses, assembly halls, and temples, to beaches and craft villages, tourists will have many options to visit and explore, without having to “have a headache” deciding where to go or what to do.

20 Hoi An tourist destinations that tourists should experience (part 1)

To experience all 20 of the most prominent Hoi An tourist destinations, you must come here for 1 or 2 trips. If on one trip, at least 3-4 days should be enough. Because these points are not quite close, some are quite far away from the others.

1. Chua Cau - the spirit of the old town

Known as the spirit and symbol of Hoi An, Chua Cau, also known as the Japanese Covered Bridge, was built by the Japanese in the late 16th century. It is located across a small canal with a unique, delicate design that is a harmonious combination of Vietnamese, Japanese, and Chinese architecture.

Chua Cau - a symbol of Hoi An Accient Town 

Chua Cau is not only a place to learn about the cultural and historical values ​​of Hoi An but is also a poetic sightseeing and check-in spot that "captures" many people's hearts.

Address: At the beginning of Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street, Hoi An City.

2. Phung Hung ancient house - Impressive Asian beauty

This is also an ancient house mixed with Japanese, Chinese, and Vietnamese architectural styles. Phung Hung ancient house was built in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. After more than 2 centuries, it still retains its original look.

Phung Hung ancient house, hundreds of years old, still retains its ancient beauty

Not only is it a unique tourist destination, attracting hundreds of visitors each year, the ancient house is also a historical witness recognized as a national relic.

Address: No. 4 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, Hoi An City.

3. Hoai River - a gentle, quiet river

Besides the Covered Bridge Pagoda, the image of the Hoai River is also very familiar to tourists every time they come to Hoi An. Not noisy or violent, Hoai River is gentle and quiet in the heart of the city like the pace of life of indigenous people.

Hoai River is always a photogenic place for your Instagram pictures

If you have the opportunity, find a corner to sip a cup of coffee and admire the beauty of the Hoai River. Taking a boat trip on the Hoai River, releasing lanterns, and listening to people tell stories is also a very interesting experience. Hoai River is also the place where many extremely chilly vibes photos were born.

4. Hoi An Impression Park - Unique park in the middle of Hoai River

This is a theme park that opened in September 2018. Located on an island in the middle of the Hoai River, quite a few people know about it. But it would be a mistake if you came to Hoi An without visiting this place.

Hoi An Impression Park is suitable for all ages. Inside is a recreational area with many activities such as painting, cooking competitions, games for children, and a food area with countless attractive dishes. Visitors will also easily take captivating photos within the park.

Address: Con Hen, Hoi An.

5. Cantonese Assembly Hall - Hundred-year-old architecture in the heart of the old town

The Cantonese Assembly Hall is located in the center of the old town, a place of religious activities of the Chinese community in Hoi An.

The assembly hall carries with it a majestic beauty

Built in 1885, the assembly hall carries with it a majestic beauty. This place currently preserves many ancient artifacts. At the same time, the Cantonese Assembly Hall is also a venue for organizing lavish festivals for visitors to experience.

Address: 176 Tran Phu, Hoi An City

6. Fujian Assembly Hall - Cultural heritage of the old town

One of the tourist destinations in Hoi An that many tourists visit is the Fujian Assembly Hall. This clubhouse was built in 1967 to pray for good health, good weather, and children.

Fujian Assembly Hall in Hoi An 

Possessing a magnificent beauty with large spaces and unique Chinese architecture, it has been recognized as a cultural heritage. Tourists may take sparkling photos.

Address: 46 Tran Phu, Hoi An City

7. Museum of Trade Ceramics - Unique ceramic museum

Formed in 1995 with the help of Japanese experts, the Mau Yi Ceramics Museum currently holds more than 430 ceramic artifacts dating from the 8th - 18th centuries.

Mau Yi Ceramics Museum currently holds more than 430 ceramic artifacts

These artifacts vividly reflect maritime trade ceramics during the period when Hoi An was still the busiest trading port in Southeast Asia. Visitors to the museum will understand more about the stories of pottery.

Address: 80 Tran Phu, Hoi An City

8. Hoi An Market - World culinary paradise

This is the place where you can both visit and taste all the specialties of the old town and enjoy your life.

Hoi An Market with its iconic yellow color

Different from the tranquility of the old town, Hoi An market is extremely crowded and bustling. Tourists will find countless dishes such as Cao Lau, Quang noodles, sweet soup, and many other items and souvenirs. Especially, the market gate is a super cool photo corner!

Address: 19 Tran Phu, Cam Chau Ward, Hoi An City.

Above are some places tourists should not miss out when coming to Hoi An. In the following section, let's learn about the remaining landscapes on the list, as well as some tips for a complete trip to Hoi An. Stay tuned!

Source: www.hoianworldheritage.org.vn

(Photo: TTXVN)

The festival has become an indispensable need in life to satisfy the people's desire to return to their roots, conduct religious activities, balance spiritual life and enjoy and create culture.

Currently, in some localities, precious traditional cultural festivals of ethnic minorities are still preserved.

Khmer people's 'nuggets' festival

Ok Om Bok Festival, also known as the moon worship ceremony or the "nuggets ceremony". Ok Om Bok is the big festival of the year along with the traditional New Year Chol Chnam Thmay, the worship ceremony of Mr. and Mrs. Sene Dolta of Khmer compatriots.

The festival is held at the end of the harvest to show gratitude to the Moon, the god of nature who helps them in protecting crops, regulating the weather, bringing good fruits and fullness.

The Moon God is a god who regulates crops during the year. Therefore, they took glutinous rice into nuggets and other crops to make offerings to the Moon.

Photo: Suc khoe doi song

Featured New Year prayer ceremony of the Dao Tien people

The seasonal prayer ceremony takes place on the first days of the new year, this is one of the social practices associated with the beliefs of the Dao people of Don Phong commune, Bach Thong district, Bac Kan province. Through the festival, the Dao Tien people want to send their thoughts and wishes for good harvests, fruit trees are full of fruit, livestock development ...

Photo: backan.gov.vn

Harrowing bull racing festival in An Giang

This is a traditional festival of Southern Khmer compatriots; is a unique cultural activity in the Seven Nui region, An Giang.

The festival is held annually on the occasion of the Donta holiday of the Khmer ethnic people, which takes place around the end of the 8th and early 9th month of the lunar calendar every year.

Photo: VnExpress

Source: chinhphu.vn

Photo: Collected

Hue royal court music is an intangible cultural heritage recognized by UNESCO and a proud cultural and artistic beauty of Vietnam. This is also one of the attractive factors that attract tourists from all over the world to the dreamy city of Hue.

The elegant sound and noble rhythm of Hue royal court music is something that visitors from all over the world will always remember once they have enjoyed it. This is also a proud intangible cultural heritage and a unique form of music and art of Vietnam.

Therefore, traveling to Hue is not only a journey to discover the relics of the Nguyen Dynasty, a dreamy city nestled on the famous Perfume River but enjoying royal court music is also an experience that you should not miss.

1. Introduction to Hue royal court music

Royal court music is a genre of music that dates back to feudal times and is performed for the royal court on occasions such as: Great Court, Regular Court, Te Giao, Te Mieu... The music has elegant lyrics and noble tunes. , nobility contributes to the solemnity of ceremonies. This is also a symbol of kingship and the longevity and prosperity of the dynasty. That's why Hue royal court music was highly respected by Vietnamese feudal dynasties.

Source: Collected

2. When was Hue royal court music recognized by UNESCO?

Hue royal court music was recognized by UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage and oral literature of humanity on November 7, 2003, and the recognition ceremony was held in Paris, France on January 31, 2004.

This is a great honor and pride for Hue as well as the Vietnamese people. At the same time, this honor also contributes to creating a very unique attraction for the tourism industry of the ancient and poetic city of Hue.

Royal court music was recognized by UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage on November 7, 2003 (Source: Collected)

3. History of the formation of Hue royal court music

According to historical records, Hue royal court music had a process of formation and development in stages through the Ly-Tran dynasties. Successive generations continue to preserve, add creativity, and develop this art form increasingly rich and sophisticated, reaching its peak during the Nguyen Dynasty.

3.1. History of the formation of Nha Nhac (Court Music) through feudal eras

Under Ly Dynasty: Royal court music dates back to the Ly Dynasty (period 1010 - 1225) and began to operate systematically later. At this time, Nha Nhac had elegant lyrics and noble melodies, symbolizing the longevity, prosperity and power of the feudal monarchy.

Royal court music dates back to the Ly Dynasty, the period 1010 - 1225 (Source: Collected)

Under Le Dynasty: Royal court music during the Le Dynasty (period 1427 - 1788) was reserved for the nobility and scholars. The music genre has a complex and tight structure with a clear and detailed organizational scale.

From the Le Dynasty, Nha Nhac was divided into many separate genres such as Giao nhạc, Đại triều nhạc, Miếu nhạc, Đại yến nhạc, Thường triều nhạc, and Cửu nhật nguyệt lai trùng nhạc.

However, at the end of the Le Dynasty, Nha Nhac could no longer maintain its development and began to enter a period of decline and fading due to many different reasons.

Under Nguyen Dynasty: Hue royal court music developed strongly again and was organized systematically during the Nguyen Dynasty (period 1802 - 1945). Especially in the first half of the 19th century, King Gia Long's court knew how to use this scholarly music genre for "spiritual nourishment" when he first established his career in the South.

From here, Nha Nhac was closely associated with the Hue royal court and developed according to a standard, systematic, and methodical model with hundreds of musical pieces. This period was also an important preparation step, creating a premise for the development of Royal Music through the following kings.

Images of Hue royal court music during the Nguyen Dynasty (Source: Collected)

3.2. Hue royal court music today

Today, Hue royal court music with forms such as orchestra, songs, songs, and dances is performed on many occasions such as Hue Festival, Buddhist festivals, folk festivals, and chamber music.

Court music is also performed in diplomatic ceremonies, performed for tourists and local people during holidays and traditional Tet holidays. Therefore, today's court music still has the occasion and space to perform. Artistic value is still preserved, lasting, and continues to be promoted.

If you have the opportunity to come to Hue, do not miss the opportunity to enjoy and feel royal court music through unique performances in addition to discovering the beauty of the ancient capital and specialties.

Today's court music still has rich performance conditions and space (Source: Collected)

4. Some information about Hue royal court music

4.1. Where to watch Hue royal court music?

• Hue royal court music on the Perfume River

This is a familiar address chosen by many tourists to enjoy Hue royal court music. Tourists will buy tickets to board the dragon boat, walk around the romantic Perfume River, and enjoy Nha Nhac and other music genres performed by singers.

Hue royal court music on the Perfume River (Source: Collected)

• Duyet Thi Duong

Duyet Thi Duong is the first theater to open for performing court music, built during the Nguyen Dynasty, nearly 200 years ago. This is also one of the oldest performance spaces in Vietnam and a place to perform many art genres such as opera, dance, and court music for the king's inner palace. Coming to Duyet Thi Duong, visitors will be truly impressed with the majestic, solemn space and sacred atmosphere.

4.2. How much is a ticket to see Nha Nhac? When is the performance?

Estimated ticket price: 100,000 VND

Scheduled time:

• At Huong River: 18:00, 19:00 or 20:00
• At Duyet Thi Duong: 10:00 – 10:40 and 15:00 – 15:40

Hue royal court music is a priceless intangible asset and the pride of the Vietnamese people and the people of the ancient capital. Tourists should at least once come to the dreamy land of Hue and enjoy the Royal Music program to feel and absorb the essence of the music genre imbued with national identity.

5. How to get to Hue?

As a tourist city, the choice of transportation to Hue is also extremely diverse. From big cities like Hanoi and Saigon, you can take a plane to Hue in only 1 hour and 30 minutes. There are also bus routes from all provinces to Hue, however, the travel time will be much longer. We recommend traveling by plane to save time for fun activities in Hue, as well as get the best experience.

Source: Vinpearl.com

1. The Lady of Mount Sam Festival – Festivals in the South

Festivals in the South cannot fail to mention the Festival of the Lady of the Land. The Ba Chua Land Festival (Vía Ba) takes place at Ba Chua Land Temple located at the foot of Nui Sam, Chau Doc city, An Giang. Every year the holiday is held on 23/4 – 27/4 lunar calendar. But Astral Day is April 25 because this is the day her statue was discovered.

Visitors will be able to watch the ritual of bathing her with rainwater mixed with perfume. And changed into new clothes for her. The next day visitors will be able to watch her procession from the top of the mountain down by nine virgin girls. It was just a repeat of the old scene of her procession. In addition to those unique festivals, there is also Folk Art Culture performed such as lion dance, tray dance, dish dance,...

Photo: nucuoimekong.com

2. Don Ta – Dolta Festival – Festivals in the South

The Feast of Don Ta, also known as the "Indulgence of Sinners", is a Khmer holiday celebrated. If the Kinh people have the Vu Lan ceremony, the Khmer people also have the Don Ta ceremony. They hold a ceremony to remember their deceased grandparents and bless the living.

Khmer ethnic people come to the pagoda to practice rituals during the annual Sene Dolta festival. (Photo: vov.vn)

3. Khmer New Year Chol Chnam Thmay

The special festival in the Southwest to mention is Chol Chnam Thmay.When tourists go to areas with a large number of Khmer people living such as Soc Trang, An Giang, Tra Vinh,... Visitors will encounter the bustling atmosphere of people here preparing their traditional New Year. It is quite similar to the custom of Lunar New Year of the Kinh people in the Southwest region. Every time it comes to the ceremony, people clean their houses. Everyone sewed themselves new clothes and wrapped tacos, prepared fruits and incense lamps for Buddha worship.

Photo: thanhpho.tayninh.gov.vn

4. Kathina Festival – Festival in the South

Kathina festival is also known as the ceremony of offering cotton, offering coffee medicine to Khmer people in Soc Trang province. The ceremony is held after 3 months of dysentery. According to the regulations of Khmer Theravada Buddhism, temples will choose 1 specific date. And inform the Buddhists in the room to prepare for the Kathina ceremony. Therefore, each squirrel in each province will differ in terms of the date of organization but traditionally it usually takes place in 2 days.

Photo: Bao Tin Tuc

5. Tong Wen Festival

The Song Wen Festival is a festival in the West that dates back to the founding of the land. Because there are many epidemics that harm humans. So the people of the south at that time thought it was caused by the devil, the people out of sight. Therefore, they perform the Song Wen ceremony, which means extorting and driving away evil spirits and diseases that harm people.

Photo: Bao Phap Luat

6. Seven Mountains Bull Racing Festival

The Seven Mountains Bull Racing Festival is a festival of ethnic Khmer people. Bold with folklore and a unique sport in the Seven Mountains region. Celebrated on the Khmer holiday of Dolta, on the 30th day of the 8th lunar calendar every year in Tri Ton district, An Giang province. One will choose a pair of the most agile, healthiest cows. And take care of them to rest, exercise, and eat according to the regime. After 2 months, this pair of cows can go to the race and have a driver. Every year, on the occasion of the bull racing festival, the atmosphere is extremely bustling and attractive. The festival attracts thousands of visitors and the surrounding provinces have been present very early.

Photo: Bao An Giang

7. Southern Folk Cake Festival – Western Cake Festival

The Southern Folk Cake Festival is an attractive Western cake festival. Held annually at the national level in Can Tho City. The festival has the participation of more than 100 booths, and is one of the important cultural and tourist events. For the purpose of introducing and promoting folk cakes and Southern cuisine. At the same time, contributing to the preservation and promotion of warm cultural values.

Photo: Bao Can Tho

8. Tan Loc Fruit Garden Festival – Western Fruit Festival

The unique Western Fruit Festival can be mentioned as Tan Loc Fruit Garden Festival. Held annually on Doan Ngo New Year. It is an opportunity to honor the cultural life and labor fruits of the people. At the same time, promote and introduce the potential of ecotourism in the garden of Tan Loc island. Contribute to the diversity in festival culture in the South.

Photo: Collected

9. Nghinh Ong Festival

Nghinh Ong Festival (Nghinh Ong Thuy General Festival) is a traditional festival of coastal fishermen, and seafarers. This is a festival commemorating the merits of the whale – the god of the South Sea General. Because many times helping people overcome big waves and winds in the open sea. 

Boats at the festival (Photo: VNA)

10. Ky Yen Festival

Another Western festival is the Ky Yen festival, which means prayer ceremony. It is the largest sacrifice of the emperor of the year of a divine court in Southern Vietnam. The village communal house in Southern Vietnam has 2 rituals each year: Thuong Dien (when the harvest is finished) and Ha Dien (when starting to go to the field).

Photo: Collected

11. Ok Om Bok Moon Worship Festival

Another Southern festival is the Ok Om Bok Moon Worship Festival of the Southern Khmers. Also known as the Moon Offering or "Putting on Beautiful Nuggets". The ceremony takes place on the 14th and 15th days of the 10th lunar month every year. To Khmers, the Moon is seen as a god. This god helped them in regulating the weather, protecting the fields. And bring a good harvest, bring warmth and prosperity to the people living here. Therefore, after a harvest, Khmer people will conduct a Moon Offering. To show their sincere thanks to the Moon god. For blessing them as well as wishing for the crop after favorable rains and wind.

Photo: Collected