MINISTRY OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING
DUY TAN UNIVERSITY
FACULTY OF ENGLISH

GRADUATION PAPER
NGO THI HIEN

AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE ADVANTAGES
AND DISADVANTAGES OF HOI AN ANCIENT
TOWN IN ATTRACTING TOURISTS AND
SOME SOLUTIONS TO IMPROVING

GRADUATION THESIS IN SOCIAL SCIENCES AND HUMANITIES

DA NANG – May 2021
MINISTRY OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING
DUY TAN UNIVERSITY
FACULTY OF ENGLISH


GRADUATION THESIS

2 SUPERVISOR:TRAN THI MINH GIANG, Ph.D

GRADUATION PAPER
NGO THI HIEN

AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE ADVANTAGES
AND DISADVANTAGES OF HOI AN ANCIENT
TOWN IN ATTRACTING TOURISTS AND
SOME SOLUTIONS TO IMPROVING

Major

: English for Tourism

Code

: 702

SUPERVISOR

: TRAN THI MINH GIANG, Ph.D

DA NANG – May 2021

STUDENT: NGO THI HIEN

MSSV: 23203211838


GRADUATION THESIS

3 SUPERVISOR:TRAN THI MINH GIANG, Ph.D

ACKNOWLEDEMENTS
This graduation thesis could not be finished without the invaluable help,
advice, and encouragement of many people that have contributed to my success.
First of all, I would like to send a thousand thanks to Dr.Giang, my supervisor,
who guided me kindly and professionally. Her comments, suggestions, dedication,
patience, encouragement are really useful to me. Without her support, I could not
complete the thesis well.

Secondly, I would like to send many deep thanks to the locals at Hoi An
ancient town. They gave me a lot of information that is extremely useful for me. I
really appreciate their enthusiasm and support.
Many special thanks to

Duy Tan University, especially, the Faculty of

English, they gave me a chance to develop myself and help me to reach my goal.
Lastly, I would like to express the endless thanks to my family and my friends.
All of them are always by my side to encourage and advise me to overcome the
difficulties.
Da Nang, May, 2021
Ngo Thi Hien

STUDENT: NGO THI HIEN

MSSV: 23203211838


GRADUATION THESIS

4 SUPERVISOR:TRAN THI MINH GIANG, Ph.D

STATEMENT OF AUTHORSHIP
Except where reference is made in the text of the thesis, this thesis contains no
material published elsewhere or extracted in the whole or in part from a thesis by
which have qualified for or been awarded another degree or diploma.
No other person's work has been used without due acknowledgment in the
graduation paper.
This graduation paper has not been submitted for award of any degree or

diploma in any other tertiary institution.
Danang, May 2021
Ngo Thi Hien

STUDENT: NGO THI HIEN

MSSV: 23203211838


GRADUATION THESIS

5 SUPERVISOR:TRAN THI MINH GIANG, Ph.D

LIST OF TABLES

STUDENT: NGO THI HIEN

MSSV: 23203211838


GRADUATION THESIS

6 SUPERVISOR:TRAN THI MINH GIANG, Ph.D

LIST OF PICTURES

ABBREVIATIONS
DT: Domestic tourist
IT : International tourist


STUDENT: NGO THI HIEN

MSSV: 23203211838


GRADUATION THESIS

7 SUPERVISOR:TRAN THI MINH GIANG, Ph.D

TABLE OF CONTENTS

STUDENT: NGO THI HIEN

MSSV: 23203211838


CHAPTER 1. INTRODUCTION
1.1. Rationale
Integration and globalization are two inevitable trends of today's era. This
trend forces all countries to open up to exchanges in most fields with other countries
if they do not want to be left on the sidelines of development. In particular, the
tourism industry is considered one of the industries that most clearly show these
trends. Indeed, tourism is considered to have a very important role in socioeconomic development, not only for developed countries but even developing and
underdeveloped countries. The success of the tourism industry in many countries
positively contributes to their economic growth.
Over the years, Vietnam's tourism industry has achieved many remarkable
achievements. Vietnam has become a safe and friendly travel destination for
international visitors. Vietnam is still actively building and developing the tourism
industry, in order to turn tourism into a spearhead economic sector of the country,
gradually turning our country into a major tourist center of the region.

Vietnam has a long, beautiful coastline, a temperate climate, many islands
along with an extremely rich marine ecosystem, many famous scenic spots, in
which the Hoi An is known as a new stop for tourists. As a tourist destination
recognized by UNESCO as a world cultural heritage, as an old town remains intact
with more than 1000 architectural monuments from streets, houses, assembly halls,
communal houses, pagodas, shrines, to traditional dishes, the soul of the people
here. However, along with the advantages and positive aspects of the development
process, Hoi An still faces challenges. It is obvious that Hoi An has an effect on the
central climate in our country. The condition of weather is one of the decisive
factors that influence the business activities in Hoi An. Heavy rains, intense storms,
persistent droughts, and terrible floods directly affect the tourism business. They are
the serious problems that Hoi An has to face yearly. They are also the top challenge
for the existence and development of the whole town because most of the houses
and wooden monuments in Hoi An are over 100 years old and located on unstable


geology. Aside from that, many types of folk performing arts are at risk of
extinction, many guidelines and policies on preserving and promoting intangible
cultural values have been included in the strategy but the scale is not commensurate.
Investment projects leaning towards exploitation for economic purposes have not
appreciated high and exploited the cultural identity, have not brought into play the
strength and positivity of the community. Therefore, I select the subject "An
investigation into the advantages and disadvantages of Hoi An Ancient Town in
attracting tourists and some solutions to improving". During this investigation, I
want to find out, the current situation of tourism exploitation along with the
challenges of the world heritage city of Hoi An and propose some solutions and real
situations to promote advantages and overcome such points of this place.
1.2. Aims and Objectives
• To research, evaluate the real situation status of tourism exploitation and entails the
benefits and drawbacks of Hoi An Ancient Town in tourism development and tourist

retention.
• To explore the challenges and propose some solutions to boost the standard of
tourism activities, attract more and more tourists to develop, preserve Hoi An
Ancient Town - this heritage city.
1.3. Scope of the Study
• Space: Study the benefits and drawbacks of attracting tourists to Hoi An Ancient
Town.
• Time: Analyzing and assessing the present situation of attracting tourists to Hoi An
Ancient Town within the period of 2018-2020.
• From the real situation of benefits and downsides within the process of attracting
tourists, proposing solutions to draw in tourists to Hoi An Ancient Town from 20212030.
1.4. Methods of the Study
In the investigation, there are many methods to assist us in collecting
information to urge the foremost comprehensive view and produce accurate and
highly reliable results. I have selected and used the following methods:


• The collecting method: The materials are collected from internet books and
newspapers associated with cultural - traditional tourism of Hoi An Ancient Town.
That has helped me to consider an open, more comprehensive view of my learning.
• The statistical and synthesis method: After completing the data collection step,
figures, I'll make statistics and organize them within the most reasonable way This
also forged me to work more logically in learning and processing the plan in
sequence.
• The comparative and analytical methods: this can be a way that helps me calculate
and research documents supported by a database of documents and documents from
different and actual sources. The classification, analysis, and comparison data help
me determine important and core issues that require to be exploited within the topic,
helping the research topic to be more complete and accurate.
• The interview method: Is a conversation conducted according to a certain plan

through a way, direct inquiry between interviewer and informant, questions
according to pre-prepared questionnaires. This is called the most practical method
for me to experience, learn directly and collect local people's materials in the most
accurate way.
In parallel with the above methods, my superiors have helped me
wholeheartedly and gave me plenty of recommendations, comments, identification,
and processing of collected information to best complete my investigation.
1.5. Organization of the Study
In addition to the table of contents, a listing of tables and figures, an
introduction, conclusion, and categories of references. The graduation thesis
consists of six chapters:
• Chapter 1: The introduction is the rationale, Aims and Objectives, Scope of the
Study, methods of study, and study's organization.
• Chapter 2: The presentation about the theoretical background. It introduces theories
associated with tourism, tourists, and also the significance of attracting tourists to
Hoi An Ancient Town.


• Chapter 3 is Case Description. It shows information, tourism activities, and tourism
exploitation situation in Hoi An Ancient Town.
• Chapter 4: Analysis and evaluation. It shows reviews of tourism activity; strengths;
weaknesses; and targets to enhance tourism activities of Hoi An Ancient Town in
recent years.
• Chapter 5: Difficulties and solutions to develop tourism, attracting tourists to Hoi
An Ancient Town.
• Chapter 6: Conclusion and some suggestions to develop tourism, attracting tourists
to Hoi An Ancient Town.


CHAPTER 2. THEORETICAL BACKGROUND

2.1. Definitions of Tourism
Tourism has become one of the most popular forms of human activities in
recent years. However, what is tourism from the perspective of tourists and tourists
themselves, until now there are differences in perception between researchers and
those working in this field.
According to the International Union of Official Travel Organization
(IUOTO): Tourism is understood to be an act of traveling to a place different from
its regular place of residence with the purpose of not doing business, i.e. not to do a
profession or a job to earn money to live. [4]
At the global organization conference on tourism meeting in Rome - Italy
(August 21 - September 5, 1963), experts gave a definition of tourism: Tourism
could be a combination of relationships, phenomena and economic activities derive
from the journeys and stays of people either collectively outside their regular
residences or abroad for peaceful purposes. Where they are going to remain isn't
their workplace. [4]
According to Chinese tourists: Tourism activities may be a combination series
of relations and phenomena that take certain economic and social existence and
development as a basis, taking tourism subjects, tourists, and tourism intermediary
as conditions. [5]
According to the World Tourism Organization: Tourism includes all activities
of temporary travelers for the purpose of visiting, exploring and learning,
experiencing or for the purpose of rest, recreation, relaxation as well as practice and
other purposes for an uninterrupted period of time but not more than one year
outside of a settlement habitat but excluding travels whose primary purpose is to
earn money. [2]
According to I.I Pirogionic (1985), tourism may be a variety of residential
activity in free time related to the movement and temporary stay outside of the
regular residence so as to rest, heal, and develop physical and spiritually, raising the



extent of cultural or sporting awareness related to the consumption of natural,
economic and cultural values. [5]
According to Article 4, Chapter I, Vietnam Tourism Law 2005, issued on June
14, 2005: Tourism is activities related to people's trips outside of their regular
residence to satisfy the need to visit, learn, entertain, and relax in a certain period of
time. [6]
View from a changing perspective of visitors' spaces: Travel is one in all the
styles of temporary movement from one region to a different, from one country to a
different without changing residence or workplace. [5]
From an economic point of view: Tourism is an economic industry, the service
has the task of serving the wants of sightseeing and relaxation, whether or not
combined with medical, sports, research project activities and other needs. [6]
Thus, we are able to see that tourism is an activity with many characteristics,
including many participants, forming an awfully complex whole. It's both the
characteristics of the economic branch and therefore the characteristics of the sociocultural industry.
2.2. Tourists
2.2.1. Definitions of Tourists
According to some researchers, the concept of the tourist first appeared in the
late eighteenth century in France and is understood as: "Tourists are people who
carry out a great executive". [7]
In the early twentieth century, the Austrian economist Josef Stander defined:
"Tourists are commuters who stay at will outside their regular residence to satisfy
their high living needs. level but not pursuing economic goals ''. [2]
Article 4, Chapter I of the Vietnam Tourism Law (2005) stipulates: "A tourist
may be a person traveling or combined with travel, aside from schooling, working
or practicing to receive income to travel to the destination ''. [7]


2.2.2. The Role of Tourists
In the financial system, each industry performs different economic functions,

but all of them have one thing in common: they’re oriented towards consumers. For
the tourism industry, too, travel businesses always aim to be tourists. The tourism
industry creates tourism products and also the tourists are those who consume them,
so tourists are a vital part.
2.2.3. Forms of Tourists
According to the World Tourism Organization, tourists include international
tourists and domestic tourists. [8]
2.2.3.1. International Tourists
An international tourist is a person leaving the country in which he is living
for at least 24 hours and for no more than 12 consecutive months with the purpose
of not working to receive income at the destination. [8]
2.2.3.2. Domestic Tourists
A domestic tourist could be one who leaves his / her regular residence within
the territory of that country for a minimum of 24 hours and for no quite 12
consecutive months with the aim of not working to receive income at the
destination. [8]
2.3. Tourist Destination and the Destination's Ability to Attract Tourists
2.3.1. Tourist Destinations
The destination is an inseparable concept within the tourism concept and also
the tourist destination is one among the broad and diverse concepts. In line with the
standard approach, a tourist destination may be a place defined in terms of
geography or territorial spatial extent. In step with this understanding, a tourist
destination may be a geographical location where a tourist travels to, to satisfy the
motive and purpose of the trip.
Rubies (2001) defines: “A destination is a geographic area that contains a
group of tourism resources and attractions, infrastructure, equipment, service
providers, Other support areas and management organizations that they interact


with and coordinate activities to provide tourists with the experience they expect at

the destination of their choice”. Similarly, Page and Connell (2006) argues that
“Destinations are a mixture of pre-packaged products and services, accessibility,
attraction, amenities, activities, and support services". [4]
According to Giuseppe Marzano (2007), “The tourist destination is a city,
town, another area of the economy of which it depends on the significant
accumulation of tourism revenues, it may contain one or more tourist attractions
"[3] .
The World Tourism Organization (2007) introduces the most complete and
comprehensive concept of the destination as follows: "A tourist destination is a
geographical location where tourists stay for at least one night. It includes tourism
products such as support services, travel resources and attractions that can go and
go within a day, having material and administrative boundaries that define images,
views, management and competitive advantages in the market." [3]
In Clause 7, Article 3 of the Law on Tourism (2017) of Vietnam: “A tourist
spot is a place where tourism resources are invested and exploited to serve
tourists”. [4]
2.3.2. The Destination's Ability to Attract Tourists
The tourist destination contains many factors that affect the tourism needs of
people and is a driving force to attract tourists. These elements are very rich and
varied, but it is important to create the attention and attraction of tourists not only at
home but also abroad.
In tourism, the factor that attracts potential visitors to choose to visit and
return is due to their feelings of closeness and attraction to the destination.
Therefore, the construction and management of the destination must be based on the
correct perception of the destination image and the true value that the destination
brings to visitors. According to Hu and Ritchie (1993), the attraction's attractive
ability “reflects the perceptions, beliefs and opinions that each individual has about
the destination's ability to please customers in connection with their specific trip



needs” [8]. It can be said that the more a destination is capable of meeting the needs
of visitors, the more opportunities that destination has to be chosen by tourists. This
is consistent with the view of Mayo and Jarvis (1981) that the attractiveness of the
destination is "the ability of the destination to bring benefits to visitors" [9]. These
possibilities depend on the attributes of the destination and are also factors that
drive visitors to the destination (Vengesayi, 2003; Tasci and Gartner, 2007). Thus,
the attraction's attractive ability can be perceived by the visitor every time they have
access to information about the destination without necessarily having a practical
experience in the destination.
2.4. Benefits of Tourism Business
2.4.1. Economic Sector
2.4.1.1. Increasing GDP
International tourism development will contribute to increasing the proportion
of GDP of the tourism industry within the service sector, thereby increasing the
GDP of the financial system. Where tourism develops, especially international
tourism, where the looks of urban and rural areas is decorated, cleaner, people's life
is markedly improved, people's living standards are improved. Moreover,
international tourism activities also creates on-site consumption for goods and
services, promotes other industries to develop, restores many traditional festivals
and crafts, contributes to promoting economic restructuring of the country and
every locality, total income, poverty alleviation and rise to enrichment, expanding
exchanges between regions, regions within the country and with foreign countries.
[2]
2.4.1.2. Bringing Foreign Currency to the Country
International tourists bring money earned from the country of residence to
spend in the country to tourism, to some extent considered the export of the
destination country, thereby helping to boost the national visible balance. Therefore,
if international tourism is maintained on a daily and appropriate basis, it is often
considered as a stabilizing agent of interchange earnings from exports. The



developing countries like Vietnam need more international visitors to their country
than their own population traveling abroad. This can be a plus so as to boost the
balance because low-income domestic citizens are less likely to travel abroad. [2]
2.4.1.3. Improving Exporting Activities Efficiently
The effectiveness of tourism business especially international tourism business
is shown in the fact that international tourism is an industry "on-site export" of
commercial goods, trade goods, crafts, antiques, agricultural and forestry products
at retail prices higher than the export price (if you undergo export, it will be at
wholesale prices).
International tourism is not only an "on-spot export" industry, but rather also a
"invisible export" of tourism goods. These are the climatic natural landscapes and
therefore the tropical sun, the values of historical - cultural relics, unique essences
in customs and customs without being lost through each "sale" but even its value
and prestige increase through anytime it is placed on the market if the standard of
tourism service is high.
The reason for this phenomenon is that we "sell" to visitors not the tourism
resources themselves, but only the value of the characteristic needs of tourists
contained in tourism resources. International tourists returning to their country will
further promote the country that visitors come through the word of mouth if the
standard of tourism service brings satisfaction to visitors. [2]
2.4.1.4. Attracting Foreign Investment and Enhancing Foreign Trade
Activities
The prevailing rule of economic restructuring within the present world is that
value accounts for a higher proportion in the heart of social products and among
employed people. Therefore, businessmen trying to find the efficiency of capital,
tourism is an attractive business field compared to many other economic sectors.
Tourism brings a high rate of return because investment in tourism is comparatively
small compared to heavy industry, transportation, but its ability to recover capital is
fast and technical is not complicated. Therefore, attracting international tourists will



help foreign investors to focus on and boost investment in the tourism industry. In
addition, the tourism development activities will lead to the expansion of economic
and cultural exchanges between regions and internationally. Meeting, exchanging
information and technology between countries have been promoted. This
contributes to promoting foreign trade activities and brings great benefits to the
country. [2]
2.4.2. Social Sector
2.4.2.1. Creating Job Opportunities
Attracting international tourists helps create jobs for residents, namely job
creation in the fields of management, finance, operations, science, information,
sales and marketing. However, most of the job opportunities are in the scope of
administration and operations. Currently, the tourism industry attracts about 220
million direct workers, accounting for 10.6% of the world workforce - 1 out of 9
workers in tourism. [11]
2.4.2.2. Creating Income for People
When a section attracts international visitors increases domestic interest in
attractions therein area. Because the locality develops facilities and service facilities
so as to draw in international visitors, it is mutually beneficial for the local
population, encouraging local people to use. Thanks to that, the domestic demand
increased, so the income of local people also increased. [11]
2.4.3. Cultural and Political Sector
2.4.3.1. Expansion of Cultural Exchanges
Tourism activities in general and international tourism particularly develop,
leading to the expansion of economic and cultural exchanges between regions, with
and with the world, contributing to traditional education, knowledge training and
training, fostering physical and spiritual spirit for all classes of the population.
International tourists visiting a rustic are going to be exposed to and learn about the
customs, customs, traditions and habits of their country through communication

with indigenous people furthermore as sightseeing monuments, sights and souvenir


purchases. At the identical time, international tourists even have the chance to
showcase their country's cultural identity when traveling to other countries. [9]
2.4.3.2. Raising People's Minds and Developing Human Factors
International tourism activities contribute to making additional revenue
sources to decorate and re-build relics and heritages and lift awareness and
responsibility for preserving and developing inland and physical cultural heritages,
restore festivals, traditional craft villages that convey cultural values to all or any
classes of individuals and international friends, making the tourist destination more
attractive to tourists. Through international tourism, different countries can
exchange experiences and policies in the education system similarly as learn other
ethnic elites in enhancing people's understanding to boost the intellectual level of
the people, step by step improve the national human resource. [9]
2.4.3.3. Development of Traditional National Craft Villages
International tourists visiting another country like to buy souvenirs. These are
products bearing cultural characteristics and characteristics of that region like those
of traditional handicrafts. Cultural tourists are more and more crowded, they often
visit scenic spots, historical sites, cultural tribes. Therefore, the embellishment and
maintenance of these relics are becoming more and more attention, traditional
handicrafts for the purposes of restoration and more development. [12]
2.5. Factors Affecting Tourist Attraction
2.5.1. Travel Resources
Tourism resources are a whole of nature and culture - history and their
components contribute to the restoration and development of people's physical
strength and mind, their ability to work and their health, their resources. This is used
for direct and indirect demand, for manufacturing tourism services (Nguyen Minh
Tue 2007). [3]
Clause 4 (Article 4, chapter 1) of the 2005 Vietnam Tourism Law stipulates:

“Tourism resources are natural landscapes, natural elements, historical-cultural
relics, works of People and other human values can be used to meet tourism needs,


are the basic factors to form tourist areas, tourist attractions, tourist routes, tourist
urban areas”. [2]
Clause 1 (Article 13, chapter 2) of the 2005 Vietnam Tourism Law stipulates:
"Tourism resources include natural tourism resources and humanitarian resources
that are being exploited and not yet exploited". [2]
Natural

tourism

resources

include

geological,

topographical,

geomorphological, post-tropical, hydrological, ecosystems, and natural landscapes
that can be used for tourism purposes. Humanistic tourism resources include
cultural traditions, cultural elements, folklore, revolutionary historical relics,
archeology, architecture, creative human works and heritages. Other tangible and
intangible cultures can be used for tourism purposes.
Tourism resources are the essential element to make tourism products. To
attract and meet the diverse needs of tourists, tourism products must be diverse,
rich, unique and new. It is the richness and variety of tourism resources that
compose the range and attractiveness of tourism products. Thus, tourism resources

are seen as a prerequisite for tourism development, a necessary condition to attract
tourists in general and international tourists particularly. The more diverse, unique
and highly concentrated tourism resources are, the more attractive and effective the
tourism business are. [3]
2.5.2. The Infrastructure, Technical Materials
2.5.2.1. Tourism Technical Facilities
The tourism organization's technical facilities include all buildings and
technical facilities that help to satisfy the needs of tourists such as hotels,
restaurants, shops, parks, roads, drainage systems, electrical networks within the
area of the tourist establishment. Tourism technical facilities play an important role
in the production and sale of tourism products.
2.5.2.2. Technical Infrastructure of Social Infrastructure
The technical infrastructure of social infrastructure is material means not built
by tourism organizations but by the entire society. These include roads, stations,


airports, ports, railways, parks for the whole population, commercial networks of
residential areas, telecommunications information systems, facility and drainage
systems, electricity networks, movie theaters, theaters, museums.
In the technical infrastructure of the society, the foremost important factor for
tourism is that the air, road, and waterway transit. It absolutely was built to serve the
local people and later to serve tourists visiting the country or tourist region. This can
be a facility of special importance because it's located right next to the tourist
destination, it determines the pace of tourism development, and to some extent
determines the standard of tourism service.
2.6. Workforce
This is a very important factor in using tourism facilities and technical tools to
take advantage of tourism resources, providing tourists with the most effective
tourism products and services. Labor in tourism is usually technical labor, requiring
high professional preparation. The specialization shows most clearly the

establishments serving accommodation, dining, and tourism.
2.7. Tourism Development Policy
Reasonable tourism development policies will ensure the promotion of
national and native tourism capabilities. Particularly, diversification regulations and
policies on increasing the attraction of international tourists by the state and native
authorities always have a major direct impact on this attraction. Therefore, these
policies and regulations must be properly formulated and implemented to make sure
consistency between the policy and its practical implementation. To fulfill the
increasing demand of tourists, the tourism potential won't be exploited effectively if
the design and organization of tourism aren't synchronous and not scientific.
Professional planning and management will allow tourism to develop within the
right direction and can help increase tourist attraction. [16]
2.8. Tourist Environment
The tourism environment includes natural tourism environment and
humanistic tourism environment (Nguyen Minh Tue 2007). Any tourism activities


will happen only within the tourist environment. In other words, wherever tourism
is out there, there's a tourism environment. While the natural environment requires
the exploitation of natural resources must be related to the restoration and
preservation of the environment. A humane tourism environment requires tourism
during which there's no customer enticing, there's no scrambling for visitors,
instead, it's a warm and friendly welcome from the local people. Safety for tourists
is a difficulty that needs the most attention. This can be a serious obstacle if tourism
is actually not professionalized and difficult to confirm implementation in areas
with low educational attainment, and people's lives are still difficult. [3]


CHAPTER 3. CASE DESCRIPTION
3.1. General Overview of Hoi An Ancient Town

3.1.1. Introduction to Hoi An Ancient Town
Hoi An Ancient Town is an ancient town located within the lower Thu Bon
River, within the dry land of Quang Nam province, Vietnam, about 30 km south of
Da Nang city.
Hoi An could be a city in Quang Nam province with many aged quarters inbuilt in the 16th century and still exists almost intact up to now. In ancient Western
documents, Hoi An is understood as Faifo. Hoi An Ancient Town has been
recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1999. This can be an area that
pulls lots of tourists from Da Nang - Hoi An.

Picture 3.1. Hoi An ancient town
As a novel sort of Southeast Asian traditional port in Vietnam, rare in the
world, Hoi An retains almost intact over 1000 architectural monuments such as
streets, houses, assembly halls, temples, and pagodas, ethnic churches, ancient
wells, ancient tombs. Coming here, visitors from Hanoi to Da Nang will have a
chance to admire the architecture that has both traditional artistic nuances of


Vietnam and shows the exchange of cultural integration with Eastern and Western
countries.
Most of the homes here are traditional structures dating from the 17th to the
19th centuries, the daddy section along the narrow streets. Located between
townhouses, religious and spiritual architectures, demonstrating the formation,
development and decline of the urban. Hoi An is additionally a land marked with
many mixed and intercultural marks. Assembly halls and temples bearing Chinese
vestiges are located next to traditional Vietnamese street houses and French style of
architectural houses. Hoi An is taken into account as a living museum of
architecture and concrete lifestyle.
In addition to cultural values through diverse architecture, Hoi An also retains
many intangible physical cultural activities with cultural festivals being preserved
and promoted together with traditional craft villages, food dishes, making Hoi An

increasingly an attractive destination for tourists.
3.1.2. Geographical Position and History of Formation
Hoi An city (formerly Hoi An town) is located in the downstream of the Thu
Bon three-way junction in the coastal plain of Quang Nam Province, 30 km south of
Da Nang City.
•
•
•
•
•

North latitude: 15015′26 ″ to 15055′15 ″.
Eastern longitude: 108017′08 ″ to 108023′10 ″.
To the East, it borders on the East Sea.
To the South, it borders on Duy Xuyen district.
To the West and North, it borders on Dien Ban District.
Hoi An has a very long history. Before the name "Hoi An", appeared in each
place existed two great cultures, namely Sa Huynh culture and Cham Pa culture. In
the area of Hoi An, more than 50 points have been discovered as mobile of Sa
Huynh culture.
After the Sa Huynh culture, from the second century to the fifteenth century,
the entire strip of Central Vietnam was under the system of the Kingdom of
Champa. Highlights are the monuments in Tra Kieu and My Son. Those who cared


for, protected the water, took care of the statues of Care along with the objects of the
Dai Viet, Chinese, Middle East people from the 2nd to the 15th centuries showed
that this was once a very developed neighborhood.

Picture 3.2. Hoi An Ancient Town in the early years of 2010

Since the 15th century Hoi An land has been the territory of Dai Viet and this
land later became a commercial area. During the prosperity of the 16th century
during the church dynasty, Hoi An became a fallen international trade. In the 17th
century, with the development of commercial activities, many foreign
neighborhoods were formed in Hoi An, including Japanese streets.
Hoi An is also where the Chinese came long time ago. Later in the mid-17th
century The Chinese emigrated to Hoi An and they were built into many Minh
Huong communes. The Chinese hit more and more in Hoi An and gradually
replaced the Japanese. The Vietnamese and Chinese rebuilt the city together.
In the nineteenth century, due to the policy of restricting the foreign system,
especially with Western countries, Hoi An gradually lost the position of the
international town and declined. In 1888 when Da Nang became the address of
France, the commercial activities of Hoi An gradually moved. However, most of the
architects in the old town, the halls remaining to this day have designs created from
this period.