In 1999, Quang Nam Province's Hoi An Ancient Town was declared a world heritage site by UNESCO for being a well-preserved example of a Southeast Asian trading port from the 15^th to 19^th centuries, and for housing buildings which ingeniously fuse local and foreign influences.

Since then, the culturally rich place has been voted one of the top tourist destinations in the world by several major tourism magazines.

We suggest several ways for tourists to indulge themselves in what the retreat has to offer.

A boat ride along the Hoai River in Hoi An Ancient Town.

Formed around the 17^th century, Hoi An Ancient Town is home to many alleys, most of which face its signature Hoai River and retain their tranquility. The alleys, which boast weather-beaten, mossy walls, are ideal for tourists to take a leisure stroll.

Travelers can also rent a bike and ride it to pagodas and time-honored houses within the town, the city’s famous Cua Dai Beach, Tra Que vegetable village, which is some three kilometers from Hoi An Ancient Town, and the 500-year-old Thanh Ha pottery village.

When dusk settles in, the paths leading to the old town sparkle with a myriad of richly-colored lanterns, particularly during the first lunar month, which spans from Tet (Lunar New Year) in mid-February to later this month.

Since last month, the provincial People’s Committee has increased the frequency of the “Dem Pho Co” (Ancient Town Night) program from once to twice a lunar month to cater to burgeoning tourist demand. The program, held on the first and 14^th days of each lunar month, offers tourists a wide array of alluring activities, including dining in cuisine sections, setting free lit flower lanterns on the town’s Hoai River, and strolling through a night market.

In the daytime or during moon-lit nights, tourists are also treated to a folk game and traditional form of art called “bai choi.” The games are generally held on outdoor stages along the Hoai River in the dim light of the lanterns, or at the Bach Dang T-junction.

The Cham Islands are a group of eight small islands off Quang Nam Province, which form part of the Cu Lao Cham Marine Park administered by Hoi An City. The park was recognized as a World Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in 2009.