Hoi An Ancient Town is one of the world cultural heritages recognized by UNESCO in 1999. Known for its ancient beauty and enchanting charm, the ancient town is not only a place to preserve cultural and historical values but also a living proof of the exchange of cultures over the centuries.
So that visitors can better understand the unique planning and architecture of Hoi An, we will explore the characteristic elements that make up the beauty of this ancient town.1. Overview of Hoi An Ancient Town Planning
Hoi An ancient town is located on the banks of Thu Bon river, Quang Nam province, about 30 km south of Da Nang city. This geographical location has created a space for trade development from very early on, especially in the period from the 16th to the 18th century, when Hoi An was a bustling international port, a center of trade between East Asian countries, Southeast Asian countries and Europe.In terms of planning, Hoi An ancient town is designed in a crescent shape, with main streets running horizontally, connecting commercial areas, residential areas and cultural works. The narrow, winding roads create a space that is easy to move around and explore.
What is special about Hoi An is the intact preservation of the ancient urban space elements. The old town still retains the streets, rows of houses, pagodas, temples, shrines, shops, and restaurants bearing the mark of time. The urban planning has not expanded too much, so the space still retains its peaceful and quiet features.
2. Architectural Features of Hoi An Ancient Town
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| Hoi An ancient house is located on Tran Phu street. Image: TDK. |
Ancient House
The ancient houses in Hoi An were mainly built from the 17th to the 19th century, with common characteristics of wooden structure, tiled roofs and limestone walls. The houses have a rectangular shape, with three rooms and two wings, creating an open and airy space but also very private. The tiled roofs are curved and the walls are decorated with traditional motifs and patterns. These houses often have an inner courtyard, creating privacy and coolness.
In addition, many houses in Hoi An are designed with a combination of Chinese and Japanese architecture, especially arched windows or shutters, creating a unique cultural exchange.
Japanese Covered BridgeOne of the most famous architectural works in Hoi An is the Japanese Covered Bridge (also known as the Japanese Bridge), built in the early 17th century. The bridge has a special design, with a curved roof, intricately carved, especially the wooden structure. The bridge not only connects the two banks of the Thu Bon River, but also symbolizes the harmony between different ethnic groups and cultures in Hoi An.
In addition, many houses in Hoi An are designed with a combination of Chinese and Japanese architecture, especially arched windows or shutters, creating a unique cultural exchange.
Japanese Covered BridgeOne of the most famous architectural works in Hoi An is the Japanese Covered Bridge (also known as the Japanese Bridge), built in the early 17th century. The bridge has a special design, with a curved roof, intricately carved, especially the wooden structure. The bridge not only connects the two banks of the Thu Bon River, but also symbolizes the harmony between different ethnic groups and cultures in Hoi An.
Religious Buildings
In addition to the Japanese Covered Bridge, Hoi An is also notable for its distinctive religious structures such as communal houses, temples, and shrines. These structures all have traditional Vietnamese, Chinese, and Japanese architecture, and some elements from European architecture. Pagodas and communal houses such as the Ong Pagoda, the Quan Cong Temple, or the Phuc Kien Communal House all have an architectural style that combines elements of folk beliefs and influences from Chinese architectural styles.
Houses, Storefronts and Shops
The facades of the houses in Hoi An ancient town are very typical, with small windows, wooden doors, sliding windows, creating an airy space. The shops, restaurants, and houses are all built with very simple elements but bring a cozy feeling. The system of shops, especially the souvenir shops and famous specialties of Hoi An such as Quang noodles, Cao Lau, Banh Bao, Banh Vac, all have open spaces to the street.
In particular, Hoi An is not only famous for its architectural works but also for its shops selling handicrafts, especially traditional lanterns. These lanterns are a typical symbol of Hoi An, bringing a magical shimmering beauty at night.
In particular, Hoi An is not only famous for its architectural works but also for its shops selling handicrafts, especially traditional lanterns. These lanterns are a typical symbol of Hoi An, bringing a magical shimmering beauty at night.
3. Cultural Interchange in Old Quarter Architecture
A special feature in the planning and architecture of Hoi An ancient town is the diverse combination of many different cultural elements, especially from the Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese and some Western countries. This has created an extremely rich architectural complex, not only beautiful but also very lively and full of history.- Chinese Culture: Chinese architectural style is clearly shown through pagodas, temples, shrines, places of worship for gods and ancestors. Chinese houses and shops also show the characteristics of this style with tiled roofs, wooden doors, and elaborate decorative details.
- Japanese Culture: The Japanese Covered Bridge is a clear example of the Japanese cultural exchange in Hoi An. The bridge's architecture is built in the Japanese style with curved tiled roofs, combined with delicate carvings.
- Vietnamese culture: Ancient Vietnamese houses with three-room, two-wing architecture, red tiled roofs, combined with garden space are an indispensable part of Hoi An ancient town architecture.
4. Conservation and Sustainable Tourism Development
Hoi An is now not only a cultural heritage site, but also a bustling tourist center. However, tourism development must go hand in hand with the preservation and maintenance of inherent cultural and architectural values. The government and community have made efforts to maintain and protect ancient architectural spaces, while developing unique tourism products, such as tours to visit ancient houses, boat trips on the Thu Bon River, lantern making classes, and visits to unique cultural festivals.
Conclude
The architecture and planning of Hoi An ancient town not only reflect the sophistication in design and construction, but are also the result of the cultural exchange between countries. These values have been preserved and maintained, creating a Hoi An that is not only a famous tourist destination but also a proud cultural heritage of humanity. Visitors to Hoi An can not only admire the ancient beauty but also understand and feel a part of the interesting history of a bustling international trading port in the past.