World Heritage Identification Number: 948
World Heritage since: 1999
Category: Cultural Heritage
WHE Type: Historic Cities & Urban Areas
Transboundary Heritage: No
Endangered Heritage: No
Country: 🇻🇳 Viet Nam
Continent: Asia
UNESCO World Region: Asia and the Pacific
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Hoi An Ancient Town: A Unique Blend of Indigenous and Foreign Influences
The Hoi An Ancient Town, situated in the coastal city of Hoi An, Vietnam, stands as a remarkable testament to the rich cultural exchange that occurred between Southeast Asia and the rest of the world during the 15th to 19th centuries. Designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1999, this exceptional trading port offers visitors a glimpse into a bygone era characterized by architectural diversity and historical significance.
More to come…UNESCO Description of the World Heritage Site
Hoi An Ancient Town is an exceptionally well-preserved example of a South-East Asian trading port dating from the 15th to the 19th century. Its buildings and its street plan reflect the influences, both indigenous and foreign, that have combined to produce this unique heritage site.
UNESCO Justification of the World Heritage Site
Criterion (ii): Hoi An is an outstanding material manifestation of the fusion of cultures over time in an international commercial port.
Criterion (v): Hoi An is an exceptionally well-preserved example of a traditional Asian trading port.
Encyclopedia Record: Hoi An Old Town
Hoi An Old Town is a heritage site and ancient trading post located in Hoi An, which served as an important trading post for foreign traders to Vietnam from the 15th until the 19th century, the status of which is still partly maintained by the newer city today. The old town contains a network of buildings and structures, consisting of 1360 ancient and unique monuments & heritage sites, including 1068 preserved houses and an 18th century Japanese wooden bridge. This old town is currently listed as an UNESCO World Heritage Site, having been listed as one starting from December 12, 1999.Additional Site Details
Area: 30 hectares
Number of Components: 1
(v) — Outstanding example of traditional human settlement
Coordinates: 15.88333333 , 108.3333333
Image
© Ryan Milani, CC BY-SA 2.0 Resized from original. (This derivative is under the same CC BY-SA license.)
World Heritage Research
Discover scientific research and academic studies that deepen our understanding of Hoi An Ancient Town from its history and significance to its conservation, management, and contemporary challenges.
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Living with Floods: Applying the Adversity Acceptance as Resilience Framework to Flood Management Practices in Hoi An Ancient Town
Hoi An Ancient Town demonstrates remarkable resilience to flooding through a proactive and holistic approach deeply rooted in transgenerational knowledge. Residents have adapted the town's layout and architecture to flooding, using flood marks on buildings as both symbolic reminders and indicators of potential future scenarios. This study reveals how adversity acceptance—understanding, acknowledging, and adapting to challenges—has shaped flood management practices, integrating modern technology like weather forecasts and social media while also incorporating floods into tourism experiences. The town's long history with flooding, exacerbated by climate change and urban development, underscores a unique blend of environmental adaptation and cultural sustainability.
Nguyen, K. N. (2026). Living with Floods: Applying the Adversity Acceptance as Resilience Framework to Flood Management Practices in Hoi An Ancient Town. TRaNS: Trans -Regional And -National Studies of Southeast Asia, 1–20. https://doi.org/10.1017/trn.2026.10015
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Overtourism and the decay of cultural identity: A case study in Hoi An ancient town
Overtourism in Hoi An Ancient Town, a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site, is accelerating the erosion of local cultural identity by altering traditional practices and reducing meaningful interactions between residents and tourists. A mixed-methods study combining qualitative interviews with stakeholders—including artisans, tourism businesses, and visitors—revealed that unchecked visitor flows are reshaping community dynamics and increasing risks to heritage conservation. The research highlights how overtourism not only strains infrastructure but also threatens the authenticity of cultural experiences, proposing solutions such as visitor flow control, responsible tourism practices, and deeper community involvement in preservation efforts.
Lam, P., Nguyen, C., & Tran, K. (2026). Overtourism and the decay of cultural identity: A case study in Hoi An ancient town. European Journal of Sustainable Development Research, 10(2), em0391. https://doi.org/10.29333/ejosdr/18307
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Domestic tourists’ memorable experiences, destination image and revisit intention at Hoi An Ancient Town, a UNESCO World Heritage site in Vietnam
Memorable tourism experiences (MTE) significantly boost destination image and revisit intention among domestic tourists at Hoi An Ancient Town, a UNESCO World Heritage site in Vietnam. This study, the first to empirically link MTE with tourist behavior in heritage destinations of developing countries, found that MTE has the strongest direct effect on revisit intention, while destination image acts as a partial mediator. Using structural equation modeling on survey data from 234 domestic tourists, the research highlights the importance of designing memory-rich experiences for heritage tourism. While cross-sectional, the findings provide actionable insights for site managers to enhance visitor retention and repeat visits.
Nguyen, T. B. L., & Pham, H. C. (2026). Domestic tourists’ memorable experiences, destination image and revisit intention at Hoi An Ancient Town, a UNESCO World Heritage site in Vietnam. Ho Chi Minh City Open University Journal of Science - Economics and Business Administration. https://doi.org/10.46223/hcmcoujs.econ.en.16.10.4714.2026
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Đánh Giá Sự Hài Lòng của Du Khách Đối với Phố Cổ Hội An, Tỉnh Quảng Nam
Tourists visiting Hoi An Ancient Town, a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site in Vietnam, report high satisfaction with its cultural heritage, landscape, hospitality, and safety, scoring 4.0 out of 5 on average. However, limitations in tourism infrastructure and service quality were identified. The study, using a questionnaire survey of 162 domestic and international tourists analyzed through Cronbach’s Alpha reliability testing, exploratory factor analysis (EFA), descriptive statistics, and multiple regression analysis via SPSS 20, highlights key factors influencing satisfaction—tourism resources, services, infrastructure, supporting conditions, demand-side factors, and environmental landscape. These findings underscore the importance of addressing infrastructure gaps to enhance tourist experiences at this renowned destination.
Phan Hải Yến, H., Quang Hùng, Đ., Thị Hà, L., Hữu Tùng Dương, N., Thị Hậu, V., Thị Mai Hiên, P., & Tuấn Mạnh, T. (2025). ASSESSMENT OF TOURIST SATISFACTION WITH HOI AN ANCIENT TOWN, QUANG NAM PROVINCE. Journal of Science Social Science, 104–115. https://doi.org/10.18173/2354-1067.2025-0011
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Do tourists’ experiences have impacts on behavioural intentions? A case study in Hoi An ancient town, Vietnam
A study on Hoi An Ancient Town reveals that tourists' experiences—spanning emotional, sensory, behavioral, social, and cognitive dimensions—significantly influence their behavioral intentions, particularly word-of-mouth promotion and revisit intentions. Revisit intention is further positively linked to word-of-mouth intention, suggesting that enhancing these experiences can drive sustained tourism success. The research used an online survey of 361 tourists who visited Hoi An in the past year, providing actionable insights for destination management.
Nguyen, T. B. T., Nguyen, T. B. T., Nguyen, N. T. V., Do, T. H.,. (2025). Do tourists’ experiences have impacts on behavioural intentions? A case study in Hoi An ancient town, Vietnam. Ministry of Science and Technology, Vietnam, 67(2). https://doi.org/10.31276/vmostjossh.2025.0014
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Management and conservation of ancient architectural heritage for sustainable tourism development: A case study of Chinese Assembly Halls in Hoi An (Quang Nam, Vietnam)
A comprehensive analysis of five Chinese assembly halls in Hoi An, Vietnamreveals their critical role in balancing cultural preservation and sustainable tourism. These structures, characterized by unique architectural features and deep historical significance, serve as both worship venues and major tourist attractions, generating substantial visitor statistics and revenue. However, the study identifies significant challenges threatening their integrity, including physical degradation, urbanization pressures, environmental factors like pollution and natural disasters, and commercialization risks that distort traditional practices. The research proposes integrated management strategies to ensure these assembly halls remain vibrant living heritage, contributing to Hoi An's sustainable development while preserving their cultural authenticity.
That, V. V., Hop, D. V., & Tuyet, V. T. A. (2025). Management and conservation of ancient architectural heritage for sustainable tourism development: A case study of Chinese Assembly Halls in Hoi An (Quang Nam, Vietnam). Multidisciplinary Science Journal, 8(6), 2026356. https://doi.org/10.31893/multiscience.2026356
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Establishing a Scale to Assess the Factors Affecting the Competitiveness of Tourist Destinations, a Case Study in Hoi An City, Quang Nam Province
A scale to assess the competitiveness of tourist destinations, applied to Hoi An cityreveals that while visitors widely agree on key factors influencing its appeal, significant gaps persist in infrastructure and connectivity. The study developed a seven-factor, 64-criteria rating system using descriptive statistics (mean and standard deviation) to evaluate competitiveness. Preliminary findings highlight the need for targeted improvements in these areas to enhance Hoi An's tourism development. This approach provides a structured framework for analyzing destination competitiveness, offering actionable insights for heritage management.
My Dung, L., Phu Thang, N., & Thi Hong, N. (2025). ESTABLISHING A SCALE TO ASSESS THE FACTORS AFFECTING THE COMPETITIVENESS OF TOURIST DESTINATIONS, A CASE STUDY IN HOI AN CITY, QUANG NAM PROVINCE. Journal of Science Social Science, 65–76. https://doi.org/10.18173/2354-1067.2024-0068
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