Trading on Tradition

The historic coastal riverside town of Hoi An has been known to travellers since at least the middle of the last millennium, when it was a major port of call for merchants from Japan, China and even Arabia. These traders made use of the port's facilities and built a formidable town, until its importance waned as the Hoi An river silted up and international focus shifted to the coastal port of Danang.

Hoi An is now enjoying something of a renaissance as visitors flock to the once peaceful town. The ancient streets and temples have withstood this modern onslaught remarkably well, and Hoi An remains a "must see" on any tour of Vietnam. The streets themselves - narrow and faced with formidable frontages of ancient "shop-houses" - together with the town's remarkable and eclectic architectural styles, evoke a feeling of times gone by, and it isn't difficult to imagine the town of three- or four hundred years ago, bustling with trade and enjoying its economic and cultural heyday.

These days, the trade is almost entirely tourism-related, although the town retains its traditional market, and other glimpses of Vietnamese life are visible at almost every turn.

The influx of visitors from overseas has translated into a good range of decent accommodation to suit most tastes and budgets, from simple guesthouses to fully-fledged four-star resorts on the banks of the river or on the beach itself (located a short distance from town). Likewise, dining in this coastal town is a pleasure, with some of the best seafood in Vietnam offered at very reasonable prices.

With new development along the banks of the Son River and around the pristine beach of Cua Dai, around two kilometres from the town centre, Hoi An is now able to offers MICE guests a wide range of high-quality services and amenities including excellent meeting and conference facilities plus a range of leisure options to suit pretty much all tastes. Elephant riding along the beach, traditional Vietnamese cooking classes, day trips to nearby attractions including the historic My Son ruins, the world-famous China Beach, Marble Mountain or perhaps just a guided tour of the beautiful ancient town - the choice is yours and is sure to delight.

If MICE is your reason for travel to Vietnam then Hoi An is certainly a worthy - and memorable - destination that will surely fit the bill.