Japanese Covered Bridge

The Japanese Covered Bridge, also called Pagoda Bridge, was built in the 16^th century and is still incredibly well-preserved. On the northern side of the bridge is a Japanese Pagoda to protect sailors. There are statues of two dogs located at the western end of the bridge and two monkeys at the eastern end. It is said that the construction started in the year of the monkey and finished in the year of the dog, according to Chinese calendar. Other legend is said that the statues on the bridge might have been put there by the Japanese to control this monster, since the dog and the monkey are sacred animals according to their Totem religion.

Assembly Hall of Cantonese Chinese Congregation

The Assembly Hall of the Cantonese Chinese Congregation (Hoi Quan Quang Dong), located at 176 Tran Phu Street in Hoi An, was built in 1855 by members of the local Cantonese community. It was later restored in 1951 and again in 1990.

It was constructed according to the Chinese character “Quoc” and visitor will be amazed by its monumental and grand architecture in comparison with the other surrounding assembly halls.

Many ancient objects still remains inside, including four horizontal lacquered boards engraved with Chinese characters, a large 1.6m-tall and 0.6m-wide bronze incense burner, a pair of Chinese porcelain-enamelled terra-cotta chairs and many other precious objects that belonged to the Chinese community of Hoi An.

The Assembly Hall is open daily from 6.00 am – 7.30 am and 1.00 pm – 5.30 pm.

Quan Cong Temple

Located at 24 Tran Phu Street, Quan Cong Temple is one of the typical temples in Hoi An’s old quarter. Built in 1653, it was dedicated to Quan Thanh De Quan (Quan Van Truong), a General in the three-kingdom period of ancient China who was a model of loyalty to the King and a dutiful son to his parents.

Quan Cong Temple was constructed according to the Chinese character “Quoc”, with many houses combined together. The houses are linked together by rafters, and roofed with colorful glazed pipe-shaped titles. They are also decorated with colorful porcelain lemon tree flowers, dragons and small lions.

The temple was restored many times, in 1827, 1864, 1904 and 1966. Today, it still houses an archive of precious objects such as an honored letter to the Emperor, 30 horizontal lacquered boards engraved with Chinese characters, 10 pairs of parallel sentences and the statues of Quan Cong, Quan Binh and Chau Thuong.

Phuoc Kien Assembly Hall

Phuoc Kien Assembly Hall, also called Kim Son Pagoda, was built in Hoi An in 1962 by Chinese Phuoc Kien merchants. It has since been restored and enhanced many times. Because it was used for worship as well as for meetings by the Chinese from Phuoc Kien Province, this construction is now called the Phuoc Kien Assembly Hall.

The Holy Mother and the Goddess of the Sea, Thien Hau, are worshipped in the main sanctuary. The Phuoc Kien ancestors and the God of Prosperity are worshipped in the sanctuary behind the main one.

This temple is architecturally unique with its artistic ornaments and beautiful statues. The Chinese architectural style combined with Vietnamese workmanship has enriched it with Hoi An’s cultural character.

The Phuoc Kien Assembly Hall is located at 46 Tran Phu street and is open from7.30 am to 12.00 pm and from 2.00 pm to 5.30 pm.

Tan Ky House

Tan Ky House, at 101 Nguyen Thai Hoc Road, was constructed almost two centuries ago as the house of Vietnamese merchant. It has always been lovingly preserved and now looks almost exactly as it did in the early 19^th century.

The design of Tan Ky House shows how local architecture incorporated Japanese and Chinese influences. Japanese elements include the crab shell-shaped ceiling supported by three beams in the living room. Chinese poems written in mother-of-pearl are  hanging from a number of the columns that hold up the roof.

Thu Bon River

Thu Bon River is one of the nicest waterways in Vietnam. A such, it has been repeatedly portrayed in poetry. The river begins at an altitude of 2,598m in the Ngoc Linh Mountain and then runs across the south-western mountainous area to meet the Tien and Tranh Rivers at Que Tan. From there, it flows through Que Son, Dai Loc, Duy Xuyen, Dien Ban, Hoi An and finally into the sea at Cua Dai.

From Hoi An, visitor can rent a boat and stop at the beautiful villages located along the river.

(Source: vietnamtourism.com)