A living museum, Hoi An is a tiny riverside town in central Vietnam with a history dating to the 15th century. In its heyday, as a major port in East Asia, it stood as a contemporary of Melaka and Macau. The architecture reflects that heritage: the town is home to building designs left behind by the Japanese, early Chinese settlers, and Dutch, French and Portuguese traders. Many of the homes and stores are well preserved, with some over three hundred years old.

Hoi An was added to UNESCO's World Heritage List in 1999, helping preserve the town. Residents still live and work in the old section, which boasts art galleries, restaurants and cloth shops.