HOI AN OLD TOWN AN ANCIENT BEAUTY OF VIETNAM E

HOI AN OLD TOWN – AN ANCIENT BEAUTY OF VIETNAM
1.Brief Introduction to Hoi An
Hoi An is a city on the coast of the South Sea in the South Central Coast of Vietnam. It is located in Quang Nam province and is home to approximately 120,000 inhabitants. Located at the estuary of the Thu Bon river, Hoi An was a busy international commercial port in the 16th and 17th centuries. . It is recognized for World Heritage Site in December 1999 by UNESCO. Hoi An is possibly one of the best examples preserved for architecture Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese and European in South East Asia.
Hoi An is one of place the most popular of the Vietnam tourist attractions. With its ancient charm of temples, shrines, Chinese style tile-roofed houses wooden and a unique blend of Japanese and Chinese architecture .The weather here is typically tropical, Hoi An comparatively warm during the entire year. So a vacation in Hoi An would be an ideal one for those wanna exit out the busy city life looking for peace and tranquility around.
What makes Hoi An stand out is how the towns comes alive just after sunset. In those evenings, a lot of activities, including traditional games such as Bai Choi singing, Trong Quan singing, and Dap nieu… are held in all over the town. Hoi An is known for its great food, fun shopping, skilled tailors, friendly people and cosy atmosphere – all key characteristics that draw people to this picturesque town.
2. The life and prosperity
Hoi An was born in the latter half of the 16th century, Vietnam era under the reign of Le. In 1527, Mac Dang Dung Le home win , the Eastern Economic governance under the Mac. In 1533 , on behalf of Le Kim Nguyen gather troops against the Mac. After Nguyen Kim died in 1545, son -in-law Trinh Kiem seized power, Nguyen Kim was clan overwhelmed. in 1558, the younger son of Nguyen Kim is Nguyen Hoang the same families and some soldiers entrenched in the Thuan Hoa and after 1570, Nguyen Hoang continue to seized power the Quang Nam. Along with his son, Nguyen Phuc Nguyen, Nguyen Hoang built, the development economic Cochin , expand trade with foreign trade and trading port of Hoi An became the busiest international East South Asia at the time.
In 1567, the Ming dynasty of China to abandon the policy of seclusion, merchant ships crossing to trade with Southeast Asian countries, but still banned exports to some important raw materials to Japan. This has forced the shogunate Toyotomi and Tokugawa shogunate license for the Asian Indian merchant ships to expand trade relations with Southeast Asia and China to buy the goods from that country . When the policy was declared closed, there were at least 356 ships launched Asian Indian, Asian Indian boats passing where most are in Hoi An. Around 1617, the Japanese city of Hoi An is formed and the zenith in the early 17th century. Through painting Jiaozhi international trade Chaya Shinroku the charts, you can see the Japanese neighborhood with buildings wood structure two, three floors. But the next time period, due to the policies of the Tokugawa shogunate carried along the Japanese persecution of Catholics by Lord Nguyen, Japan in Hoi An town gradually overshadowed. Although still a small number of Japanese residing here but the Chinese gradually replaced the role of the Japanese in the trade .
Unlike the Japanese, the Chinese know to Hoi An from very early on, right from the time this land belongs to the kingdom of Champa Pa.Tai Hoi An, the Chinese to stay one more day and the Japanese bond trading power sold. The port of Hoi An as it is home to most foreign goods .
18th century, when the Tay Son uprising taking place in the South, Trinh Quang Nam Dinh invaded in 1775, the port of Hoi An War fell into chaos. After capturing the Hoi Trinh troops quashed the homes in the area of trade, leaving only religious works. Many important people of the same clan Nguyen Hoa wealthy merchant who had emigrated to the south, bring wealth and settle in Saigon - Cho Lon, leaving a ruined Hoi An, ruined. About 5 years later, the new port of Hoi An market gradually revived, commercial activity was restored but not like before .
For 19th century, Cua Dai estuary increasingly shrinking and Co Co river silt deposition was, that the large boat had not been in Hoi An. Besides, the Nguyen court also perform closed-door policy, limited relations with foreign countries, especially Western countries . Since then , Hoi An gradual degradation, loss of market position in key international ports. However, as a major industrial center, the city is still under development, new roads south of the river are built and extended neighborhood. 5th year of Minh Mang, the king through Hoi An, where it is no longer found busy as ever, but still flourishing than other towns of Vietnam. In 1888, when Da Nang became the French concession, to which many States to give up the capital base of transportation, commerce, others continue to maintain business operations in both Hoi An and Da Nang. But due to water transport is becoming increasingly difficult, with the development policy of the French Danang, commercial activities in Hoi gradually stalled. However, the majority of residential architecture in the old town, the remaining clubs today are made up of shape at this stage .
Early 20th century, but lost the important role ports, trade in Hoi An when not terminated and the town is still here, the provincial capital of Quang Nam. When Quang Nam - Da Nang Province was established in 1976, Da Nang city became the new capital of the province, Hoi An crashed into a forgotten era. Due to the changing role of history, plus many other factors should Hoi An was lucky to avoid distortion of the strong urbanization in Vietnam in the 20th century. Since the 1980s , the police began to receive the attention of scholars Vietnam, Japan and the West. At the 23rd session from November 29 to December 4, 1999 in Marrakech, the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization United Nations Security Council name to the list of world heritage. Hoi An ancient town gradually returning prosperity through tourism activities .
3. Hoi An – an attractive destination.
3.1. Ancient town
The area of Hoi An ancient town is about 2 km sq with short, narrow and undulatory roads, running along the river bank. In the ancient town, there are many other alley located perpendicular to the main road.
Tran Phu street is the main road, where gather many important architectural works and ancient houses of Hoi An. The most prominent is club-houses of Chinese to commemorate their country. Quan Cong temple, history – cultural museum of Hoi An, museum of Sa Huynh culture,… are located on this road. Many traditional houses are repaired and preserved very good, walks at 2 sides are red tiled and the end of road is the location of Cam Pho communal house in the village. Besides, there is a block, which is formed by the house has French architecture and East of the road is bustling mall with the big two-storey townhouses. The Folklore Museum of Hoi An is the biggest ancient house on this road. The eastern quarter was French quarter in the past. The weastern quarter was closely built with European style house, mostly a floor . This used to be the servants of the house under the French.
3.2. Architectural works Although, most of Hoi An’s ancient houses were formed in the colonial period, but in the ancient town many relics reflect the history, prosperous and decline of town still preserved.
3.2.1. The Bridge pagoda
The only remaining ancient bridge in Hoi An is Bridge pagoda, known as Japanese bridge. This bridge is about 18 meters long, cross a creek flowing out of Thu Bon river. According the legend, the Bridge pagoda was built in 1593 but not exactly. By restoration, shape of the bridge has been changed.
Upstream waters is a small temple worship Huyen Thien Great, was built after bridge about half a century. The temple is located next to the bridge, and separated by a wood wall and door “but down the roof”. A red horozontal picture was hung on the temple door with 3 letters “Lai Vien Kieu” by Lord Nguyen Phuc Chu gift in 1719 with meaning that the bridge of friends come from far.
Each end of 2 side of the bridge have 2 animal statues, 1 side is dog and the other is monkey. They are carved by wood of jackfruit with attend court position, and thurible is infront of each statue. Arrcording the legend, Mamazu sea monster has a head in Japan, a tail in the Indian Ocean, body in Vietnam and whenever it moves is cause of disaster or flood… So that, they have built this bridge with God monkey and God Dog statue to suppress this sea monster. The other supposition, this bridge was built from monkey year to dog year. Nowadays, this bridge is the symbol of Hoi An town.
3.2.2. The ancient wooden building
The common type of house in Hoi An is 1 or 2 storey house, narrow and long, create the tubular type. This architecture is very attract tourists who love old architecture. House in Hoi An embraces many family habits and 3 parts: place to trade, to do activities and place of worship. This is a yield of culture area. There architecture and decoration is strong impression and own values of Hoi An ancient town.
3.2.3. The club-house
Today in Hoi An, 5 big club-houses correspond with 5 part of Chinese, there are: Phuc Kien, Trung Hoa, Trieu Chau, Quynh Phu, Quang Dong and Phuc Kien is the biggest. About the form, club-houses were built according to a prototype , which still common in other ancient town.
Club-houses are sophisticated decoration and meticulous with carved wood frame, gilded, the animals porcelain enameled colors and all club-houses are oriented Thu Bon river. Today, Club-houses were repaired but still retain many original elements.
In addition to maintaining community activities, another function of club-houses is belief. Many activities are organized such as lion dance, fireworks… attract Hoi An residents and visitors to attend.
3.2.4. Pagodas, temples Hoi An was a Buddhism central of people from south Vietnam. Many pagodas were built soon, and most of them were changed by history and repair. The earliest temple is Chuc Thanh temple, was built in 1454, far from ancient town center about 2 km sq north. Here, many relics, statues, headstones,…about Buddhism of people from south Vietnam introduction and development are stored. Suburb of ancient town has many pagodas such as Phuoc Lam, Van Duc, Kim Buu, Vien Giac… were built later. Besides, many pagodas separate with village, along riverbank or association with village to make avillage general. Main function of temple in Hoi An is worship founding members. The typial is Quan Cong temple, known as Chua Ong, located in ancient town. Although Quan Cong temple was repaired many times but not losing the original look. Before, Quan Cong temple is belief center of traders in Hoi An, where grant and make trust. Nowadays, from 13rd lunar January to 24th lunar June , Chua Ong festival was held, attract tourists.
3.3. The traditional festivals
In Hoi An, many types of festival still preserved as village tutelary festival, festival of commemorate the Patriarch,…but communal house in the village festival is the most important in peri-urban villages. Every year, early spring, festivals were held to commemorate saints and who deserve well of village. In the middle of lunar January and July, Long Chu festival was held on communal house in the village.
In fishing village, boat race is a cultural activity ususlly happen from 2nd to 7th lunar January and festival for fisherman on middle of lunar February… Previously, in racing boats, holiday factors, significant associations were seen, but today, the predominant convention.
On festival for fisherman each year, residents of the fishing village hold festival to worship the whale, who helps persons in distress or accidents at sea. In these days often have activity sing Ba Trao, a special type of folk art, to describe activities and works at sea.
Since 1998, Hoi An government has been beginning to organize full moon night ancient town festival on 14th every lunar month. This idea stems from the desire of Kazimier Kwiatkowski - the Polish architects, who has spent much time to protect Hoi An and My Son heritages. In festival, from 17 to 22 o’clock, all of houses, restaurant, … are turn off the lights, the town submerged in the light of the full moon and decorative multi-coloured lanterns.
Singing activities, folkgames, chess competition, sing Bai Choi, flower drop,… are held. When the major holidays fall on full moon night, cultural activities will be richer as imporsonate festival, chant or recite a poem, lion dance,…On the night of the full moon, visitors will be living in an urban from the last century.
3.4.Traditional performing arts and folk games
Types of traditional performing arts and folk games are results of laborious of local residents. Nowadays, they are protected and become an important part of spiritual life here.
Some traditional performing arts such as singing Ho Khoan, Ba Trao, Bai Choi,…And local residents create games such as Bai Toi game, đo xam huong game, chant or recite a poem, calligraphy,…
Bai Choi, cultural game with bold of Quang native and central coastal, is happen every night on lunar 14 th. Singing Bai Choi is a performing art with bold of folk, an attraction and appeal of game.
Another traditional performing arts is Sing Ba Trao. Ba Trao is a type of folk song, comnined with Tuong. Types of sing Ba Trao are sing and dance with row and punt movement, Ho, Ly,…attract the viewers.
3.5. Traditional trade villages
Kim Bong woodwork trade village: this village located at Cam Kim village, opposite Hoi An ancient town, across the Thu Bon river. It takes 10 minutes to up to there by boat. Here, the ancient artisans were invited by Nguyen Lords to construct and renovate palaces and tombs.
Tra Que vegetable trade village: It’s far 3km from this village to Hoi An ancient town north, of famous Cam Ha village. Tra Que vegetable growing has appeared 300 years ago and handed today.
Cam Ha flower trade village: At there, tourists can experience the colours of traditional florists in Hoi An. Although this is a small village but very beautiful and hospitable.
Thanh Ha pottery trade village: about 3km west of Hoi An, In the 16th,17th century, Thanh Ha was a prosperity village, famous for pottery and traded throughout the central provinces of Vietnam. The ceramic has origins from Thanh Hoa and after they acquired technical, a pottery village was formed today.
3.6. The cuisine
The location of coastal estuaries, where has water transport routes and the convergence of economic and cultural in centuries, Hoi An has a diverse culinary and individual nuances. With fertile along the banks of the river and alluvial fields, seafood is the main food in daily meals.
Nowadays, some habits and practices about cuisine of chinese has been handed. On holidays, they often cook some dishes such as Phuoc Kien fried noodles, Duong Chau pilau,… Chinese contributed make the rich of Hoi An cuisine.
One of the typical and famous dishes of Hoi An cuisine is Cao lau. Source and name are not determined. Before, Ong Canh or Nam Co store were very famous.
Besides, in Hoi An, more rustic dishes such as banh beo, hen, Banh xeo, banh trang,… and especially mi Quang because this pasta derive from Quang Nam. Mi Quang, as well as Pho, was made from rice but there are nuances and distinct flavor. In Hoi An, mi Quang is sold everywhere, from the restaurants to the stores in the countryside.
Dumpling and cauldron cakes are one of the delicious and strange dishes of Hoi An ancient town. They are also made of rice flour as the main material.
Not only delicious and plentiful dishes, the shops in Hoi An are also decorated and serve with distinctions to create a relaxing, comfortable for the guests. Besides traditional cuisine, a cuisine, habits comes from France, Japan and the West are maintained and developed, contributing to the rich cuisine of Hoi lines, serving the diverse needs of tourists.
4. Hoi An – Tourism in future
After more than a decade to become the world 's cultural heritage, the city of Hoi An, Quang Nam province has made great efforts in conservation, preservation and promotion of cultural and historical values of an ancient town. It is also the only city in Asia honorably received "Award for outstanding heritage" by UNESCO awarded.
To be successful as such, requires a lot of effort from the management of tourism in Quang Nam province in particular and everyone in general people here.
During the management, conservation, restoration and exploitation of its value must have its own way, identify and preserve their own identities have with management methods and take appropriate steps. To manager, preserve and promote the cultural heritage good one, there should be consistency in the management and administration of the State agency, that is required to have a " maestro " to receive the support protection of the political system and its role as the link between levels of government, scientists, professional bodies, scientific research institutions at home and abroad, the people (the owners of heritage, monument), the owner monuments, business owners, business establishments. In particular, all decisions are relevant to the interests of the whole community, of every people to meet the optimal needs of the resident student population, associated with promoting the value of cultural heritage for development tourism development, increasing income, people 's lives... Also, a lot of conferences, scientific research on national and international organizations to regularly seek and expand methods preserve, conserve and promote sustainable legacy. Hoi An city shared the same heritage in the region and around the world many valuable experience on both sides: the conservation and promotion of cultural heritage value.
Meeting Congress of Hoi An city XVI (2010) identifies the direction: " Learning, training and ideology of Ho Chi Minh City; enhance political bravery, leadership capacity and combativeness of the Party; preserve and promote the strength of the high level of national unity, identity and traditional culture hero; innovative approaches, ways of thinking and doing all over the field to meet integration requirements; creating open investment environment, taking advantage of opportunities, mobilize and efficiently use all resources to build infrastructure, preparing for a new era of sustainable development of Hoi An - ecological city - cultural - tourism. "
Resolution of the Assembly stressed the views and policies, as well as set up the orientation of Hoi An tourism development in the future as follows:
First, the strong development of productive forces, create a breakthrough in infrastructure construction and economic restructuring; create models of sustainable development, striving to build 2015 standard metropolitan city type 2, a tourist center of the country, promoting the implementation of the first phase tasks in building a roadmap Hoi An city - ecological city.
Second, culture and ecology are two fundamental in the process of economic development of the city; economic development on the basis of culture and motivation, and development aimed at fostering cultural and ecological. It is the dialectical development and sustainable development path of Hoi An. On the basis of mastering and proper functioning of economic relations - cultural - ecological, continued strong shift in the economic structure of tourism group - Services - Trade plays a key role; the handicraft industry development varied, some industry clean -selected; Agricultural shift towards ecological agriculture modernization; gradual development of marine economy in line with the level and capacity of the sector.
Next, construction and development of the city to ensure a balance between the field and the area between the growth rate of developing quality, between economic growth with social progress; care education, healthcare, social security, ensuring national defense, security and order and promoting democracy , maintaining law and discipline; continue to improve, enhance people 's lives - especially in difficult areas .
And finally, what is more important to focus on the training, development, improve the quality of human resources to meet the requirements of development. Immediate and long term to establish goals for the advancement of people of Hoi An in the new era, building a comprehensive human development, putting people at the center position and role be in full the development process. Creating the best environment to inspire potential of every individual, every group of workers and the community and encourage all officials, Party members and city residents will promote self-reliance, need economical construction and national defense.
With the tourist-oriented development has been clearly defined, Hoi An today and in the future will still go on the road looking for the authentic old values. In addition to constantly improve, learn new ones to progressively more complete and better half. And there will always be place frozen in time authentic ancient space being filled each day.

PICTURES FOR APPENDIX

Hoi An ancient town. Source: google.com.vn

Bai Choi singing – Hoi An. Source: google.com.vn
REFERENCES
1. Hoi An World Heritage http://www.hoianworldheritage.org.vn/en/news/Traditionnal-Hoi-An-Festival.hwh 2. Traditional New Year festival jubilant in Hoi An http://vietnamtourism.gov.vn/english/index.php/items/274 3. Hoi An ancient town http://www.vietnamtourism.com/disan/en/index.php?catid=2 4. Half Day Community Exchange : Hoi An Traditional Painting & Lantern Making Workshop - Hoi An http://www.exotissimo.com/travel/vietnam/daytrips/half-day-community-exchange-lifestart-foundat

References: 1. Hoi An World Heritage http://www.hoianworldheritage.org.vn/en/news/Traditionnal-Hoi-An-Festival.hwh 2. Traditional New Year festival jubilant in Hoi An http://vietnamtourism.gov.vn/english/index.php/items/274 3. Hoi An ancient town http://www.vietnamtourism.com/disan/en/index.php?catid=2 4. Half Day Community Exchange : Hoi An Traditional Painting & Lantern Making Workshop - Hoi An http://www.exotissimo.com/travel/vietnam/daytrips/half-day-community-exchange-lifestart-foundat