History of Hoi An Region Told In Reverse

At La Siesta Hoi An, we don’t just offer a stay-we offer a journey through centuries. Each lantern hanging gently over our gardens, each tiled roof of the Ancient Town, is a whisper from the past.

As you rest in our green retreat, you’re also cradled by stories of kings, merchants, and civilizations that once shaped this tranquil riverside haven. Join us as we trace Hoi An’s history in reverse-uncovering layer after layer of culture, trade, and survival.

How Old Is Hoi An?

Hoi An is over 1,800 years old, with its origins dating back to the 2nd century CE as a Cham Kingdom trading port known as Lam Ap Pho. Its most prominent historical development occurred between the 15th and 17th centuries, making it a town with nearly two millennia of layered cultural and commercial history.

Before the silk lanterns and quiet streets, Hoi An was shaped by waves of empire and exchange:

• 1999-present: UNESCO heritage & cultural revival
• 19th-20th century: Colonial era and historic preservation
• 18th-19th century: Economic decline due to river siltation and Da Nang’s rise
• 15th-17th century: Golden age as a global trading port
• 2nd-15th century: Maritime outpost of the Champa Kingdom

At La Siesta, we invite you to feel how each of these chapters still breathes through the walls of the old town.

Modern Rediscovery and Preservation (20th Century-Present)

Despite wars and historical upheavals, Hoi An has remained remarkably intact – a rarity compared to many other towns. Instead of being swept away by waves of modernization, Hoi An seemed to be “favored by time”, preserving its moss-covered streets, ancient tiled roofs, and centuries-old architecture.

In 1999, UNESCO officially recognized Hoi An Ancient Town as a World Cultural Heritage site, affirming its unique value as a living testament to East–West cultural exchange. Today, as you wander beneath glowing lanterns or stroll leisurely through tropical gardens, you are not just sightseeing – you are stepping into an open-air museum of heritage.

French Colonial Period (19th-20th Century)

When the French arrived in Central Vietnam, they directed their attention to Da Nang, developing it into a strategic hub for trade and military power. Hoi An, as a result, was gradually left behind.

Yet this “neglect” became a blessing in disguise. While other cities transformed under new constructions, Hoi An retained almost all of its 17th-century wooden houses, Chinese assembly halls, temples, and traditional streetscapes. What colonizers overlooked, time preserved—leaving behind an untouched architectural treasure that endures today.

Vietnamese Rule and Decline (18th-19th Century)

Under the Nguyen Lords, Hoi An was once considered the “crown jewel” of Central Vietnam, playing a vital role in diplomacy and international trade. But nature had its say: the Thu Bon River began to silt, making navigation increasingly difficult.

At the same time, Da Nang rose as the new commercial gateway, favored by both the imperial court and later the French. Hoi An slowly faded from its bustling prominence. Yet this very silence allowed the town to remain astonishingly preserved, like a “sleeping gem” waiting for its rediscovery.

Golden Age of International Trade (15th-17th Century)

The name “Hoi An” first came into use in the late 1500s to early 1600s, under the Nguyen Lords. In Sino-Vietnamese, Hoi An (會安) means “peaceful meeting place” – a fitting title for a lively international port that somehow managed to keep its calm, harmonious character.

Before that, locals knew it as Hai Pho, while Western traders called it Faifo – a name that quickly stuck with merchants from Japan, China, Portugal and the Netherlands.

This was Hoi An’s most brilliant era. Faifo’s harbour was alive with ships from across Asia and Europe. Its streets bustled with the trade of silk, ceramics, pottery, spices and fine crafts. Japanese settlers even built the Japanese Covered Bridge (Chua Cau / Lai Vien Kieu) – more than just a bridge, it stood as a symbol of cultural connection.

Back then, Hoi An was a true melting pot, where different languages rang out on the same street and cultures mingled in one of the region’s most cosmopolitan trading ports.

Cham Kingdom and Early Trade (2nd-15th Century)

Long before it became part of Vietnam, Hoi An was a vital seaport of the Champa Kingdom, known as Lam Ap Pho. It was both a ceremonial centre and a hub of international trade.

The Cham people were famous seafarers, their skills matching those of the Malays and Javanese. As early as the 2nd century CE, traders were bringing Indian textiles, Chinese ceramics, jewellery, rare timbers and spiritual influences from Hinduism and Buddhism.

Hoi An’s beginnings weren’t marked by conquest, but by exchange, dialogue and peaceful trade – a spirit that still lingers in the town today.

Early Origins (Pre-15th Century)

As early as the 2nd century CE, the land where Hoi An now lies was already alive with maritime activity. Positioned at the natural crossroads of river and sea, it quickly became an ideal stopover for settlers, fishermen, and merchants from distant shores.

Archaeological excavations have uncovered ceramics, burial relics, ancient port remains, and structural foundations — clear evidence of a community deeply connected with the wider world long before written history.

Long before its recognition as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and long before it drew the admiration of travellers, Hoi An existed as a living idea: a place where peace, trade, and openness could flourish together. This spirit of exchange and harmony has continued to shape Hoi An’s identity for nearly two millennia.

Honoring Hoi An’s Legacy Through Hospitality

At La Siesta Hoi An Resort & Spa, we believe history is not just preserved in stone walls and ancient bridges-it’s kept alive through people, stories, and the warmth of true hospitality. Just 1km from the heart of the Ancient Town, we carry the spirit of Hoi An into every detail of your stay. From garden paths inspired by traditional Vietnamese landscapes to cuisine rooted in the flavors of old trade routes, every experience is designed to reconnect you with something timeless.

We see ourselves not only as hosts, but as caretakers of Hoi An’s cultural soul-welcoming travelers just as this town has welcomed merchants, artists, and dreamers for centuries. Come be part of the living story. Let La Siesta be your home in the heart of Hoi An’s enduring legacy.