Joanna James
With a rich history and culture that stretches back centuries, it is of little surprise that Hoi An has an abundance of sights. Here we take a look at the best.
Constructed by a Vietnamese family, this family house has been perfectly maintained for over 7 generations. It was built approximately two centuries ago and has distinguishable marks of both Japanese as well as Chinese architecture. For an instance, the crab shell ceiling with its sabre cravings denote hints of Japanese architecture. On the other hand, the poems scrawled in "mother of pearl" that dangle from the ceiling scream of Chinese architecture. The balconies in the courtyard feature signs of European architecture, signifying the perfect blend of cultures. The outside of the roof has been constructed from tiles while the ceiling has been constructed from wood; a scheme that cools the compound during summer and the opposite in winter.
One of the finest examples of Japanese architecture in the town, the Japanese Covered Bridge was first built in the year of 1590. It was later broken by the French but the iconic arch design was rebuilt in 1986. Due to the constant threats of earthquakes, the bridge features a very sound design. Large statues flag both the entrances. Two monkeys flag one side while a couple of dogs flag the other side. Located in the Ancient Town, the Japanese Covered Bridge is a 10 minute drive from hotels and resorts such as Anantara Hoi An Resort.
What was once an ancient assembly hall is now a temple that honours Thien Hau, an ancient goddess. Murals depicting the goddess in various forms and situations cover the exterior walls so do murals of Fujian families who took flight from China and reached this town. On the inside of the temple is a magnificent statue of the goddess herself while the entrance is flanked by two of her deities. Another room contains statues of the Fujian families. The successive clan leaders have also been sculptured while fairies and midwives are both present. Set in a strategic location, it is easy to find a good luxury resort in Hoi An quite close to the temple.
The Tran Family Chapel was built all the way back in 1802. Similar to Tan Ky House, it incorporates Chinese and Japanese architecture as well as vernacular architecture to deliver a unique style. The main door kept for the dead is unlatched on the 11th of November which is the death anniversary of Tran Tu who started the construction of the building. Generations ago, the left entrance was kept for women while the right entrance was for men. Nowadays though, such rules are hardly maintained. Wooden boxes inside contain personal items and stone tablets of the family members. The compound also has an antique room where you can buy many coins while a side room presents an array of souvenirs to purchase.
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