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Minh Hu’o’ng Ancestor Worship House, Hoi An, Vietnam. Copyright © 2022 Terence Carter / Grantourismo. All Rights Reserved.

Historic Hoi An Temples and Pagodas You Have to Visit in the Ancient Port Town

Historic Hoi An temples and pagodas you have to visit in the ancient port town include the colourful Quan Cong Temple, a Confucian temple established in 1653, and charming Chau Cua Pagoda on the Japanese Bridge, dating to the 17th century. Yes, there’s more to Hoi An than food!

For many travellers, Central Vietnam’s Hoi An is a culinary destination. Home to legendary noodles and local specialties that include an illustrious chilli sauce and elegant dumplings, Hoi An is where you do cooking classes and food tours, snack on street food from tiny plastic stools by day, dine at riverside restaurants by night, and in between linger at cafes and tea houses and sip cocktails and craft beers at bars and brew pubs.

But the UNESCO World Heritage listed site – one of 41 UNESCO sights in Southeast Asia – also happens to host historic Hoi An temples and pagodas you have to visit in the ancient port town. Situated in Quang Nam province, near the mouth of the Thu Bon River, Hoi An was designated as being an exceptional example of a small Southeast Asian trading port due its well-preserved buildings dating from the 15th to the 19th century.

Although occupied far earlier, of course – the Sa Huynh peoples, whose settlement was located on the outskirts of town, dates to 1,000 BC – Hoi An has been best known historically as a bustling cosmopolitan trading centre with lively Chinese and Japanese quarters. Hoi An’s atmospheric houses, pagodas and temples that line the narrow largely-pedestrian streets, along with a pretty Japanese bridge that hosts a tiny pagoda, are the architectural legacies of these communities.

Before heading to Hoi An, do see our itineraries for one perfect day in Hoi An and two days in Hoi An. To really soak up the town’s history, we recommend staying in one of the two upstairs street-side rooms at Vinh Hung Heritage Hotel, in a centuries-old merchant’s house in the ancient quarter. If you want a pool, book a riverside room at Indochine-chic Anantara Hoi An, a 15-minute walk to the Japanese Bridge and close to Hoi An’s other heritage sights.

These are the historic Hoi An temples and pagodas you have to visit in the ancient port town – in between shopping the markets, street food feasting, learning to cook, and eating the local cuisine of course.

Historic Hoi An Temples and Pagodas You Have to Visit in the Ancient Port Town

Chuc Thanh Pagoda

Located in lovely gardens a couple of kilometres north of the ancient centre, of all the historic Hoi An temples and pagodas you have to visit, Chuc Thanh Pagoda is said to be the oldest and most significant of Hoi An’s Buddhist sites, although the date of its founding is in dispute.

The pagoda began life as a simple hut built by a Chinese monk from Fujian province called Minh Hai. Carol Howland believes the monk arrived in Hoi An on the 26th day of the first month of the Year of the Pig in 1695 and built the temple in 1697. Other sources claim it’s much older, dating to 1454.

While there has been a Chinese community in Hoi An since before the Christian era (CE), and there are tombstones dating as far back as 1437 when there was a Chinese community living in Cam Pho’s Nguyen Thai Minh Khai, which would become known as Chinese Street, Chinese settlement really began with gusto after China’s trade blockade was lifted in 1567 and Chinese traders rushed to Hoi An.

Further waves of Chinese immigrants followed from 1644 after the fall of the Ming Dynasty and it’s to this period that Hoi An’s Chinese-Vietnamese families from the clans of Khong, Nhan, Du, Tu, Chu, Hoang, Truong, Tran, Thai, and Luu, can trace their ancestors, to ten Ming mandarins whom they call the Ten Great Fathers. So either of these dates are credible.

Howland said she found Chuc Thanh Pagoda rather soulless, perhaps because of its modern embellishments (it’s had numerous renovations over the centuries), and perhaps because it’s so little visited compared to the busy temples and pagodas, below. I have always found it to be serene and a tranquil place to escape to if you visit Hoi An during the busy tourist high season. See Google maps for directions.

Quan Cong Temple

Back in the heart of town, opposite Hoi An’s wonderful market, is Quan Cong Temple. For me, this is the most beautiful and most atmospheric of the historic Hoi An temples and pagodas you have to visit. If you only see one temple, make it this one.

Established in 1653, this enchanting temple is dedicated to a Chinese general from the Three Kingdoms era of the third century called Quan Cong, who has become a symbol of integrity, justice and loyalty. The life-size statue of a white horse at the central altar represents the general’s loyal friend.

This is perhaps a good place to explain the difference between pagodas and temples in Vietnam. Pagodas or ‘chua’ are for worship, while temples, of which there are a few kinds, are dedicated to honouring mythical and historical figures (in the case of Chua Quan Cong), local heroes and heroines, and spirits (Taoist temples). Then there are also Chinese Assembly Halls, which typically contain a temple, but also have space for community activities and business meetings.

While it’s compact, it’s a delight to absorb the details – the pretty roof mosaics, the fish pond in the central courtyard, the crimson-red pillars – and take in the atmosphere at Quan Cong Temple, as there are nearly always a few worshippers lighting incense and paying respect to the great general. 24 Tran Phu Street, Hoi An

Fujian Phuc Kien Assembly Hall

With its imposing pink brick gate with green roof tiles, it’s impossible to miss the Fujian Phuc Kien Assembly Hall, a short stroll down the street. This is the entrance to another of the historic Hoi An temples and pagodas you have to visit, even if some elements are a bit kitsch.

While it was originally established in 1690 by Chinese residents from Fujian – and I should say here that most of the Chinese in Hoi An at the time were from Fujian – like many temples it has been renovated over the centuries, and not always sensitively, although it’s not too hard to tell what’s old and new here.

Assembly Halls were used as meeting places as much as places of worship, however, the temple here has long been a focal point of the Assembly Hall, especially for sailors, merchants and traders of the sea. It’s dedicated to Thien Hau, the sea goddess who watches over sailors, who rests beside Thuan Phong Nhi, a goddess who can hear the sound of distressed ships calling for help from thousands of miles away, and Thien Ly Nhan, another goddess who has the capabilities of seeing ships in peril. I imagine when Hoi An was a bustling cosmopolitan trading port this would have been the busiest temple in town. 46 Tran Phu Street, Hoi An

Minh Huong Temple

You’ll need to backtrack to the Minh Huong Temple, which is okay, as it’s on the way to the Japanese Bridge, which I’ve left until last. Called ‘Tuy Tien Duong Minh Huong’ and the ‘Minh Huong Ancestor Worship House’ on the wooden sign out the front, this is another of the historic Hoi An temples and pagodas you have to visit.

While the heritage site might not be as old as some of the others – it dates to the late 18th century when it was established by Chinese immigrants to worship their ancestors who founded Minh Huong village – it nevertheless has loads of atmosphere.

This is another place of worship dedicated to the Goddess of the Sea, as well as the God of the Earth and the God of Wealth. That might explain why it’s one of the busiest temples in Hoi An, which began life as a trading centre and remains as focused now on commerce as it would have been at its birth.

The temple is used by some 60 families whose ancestors originated from Minh Huong village so it’s particularly lively during festivals and holidays. 14 Tran Phu Street, Hoi An

Chau Cua Pagoda Japanese Bridge

Hoi An’s most visited sight – and it can get incredibly crowded in high season, when it’s best to visit early in the morning – the Japanese Bridge is not only a delightful little covered bridge that crosses a stream that flows into the Thu Bon River, it’s also home to a tiny place of worship called Chau Cua Pagoda.

First built in the 16th century to link Japanese Street, home to Hoi An’s Japanese residents, to Chinese Street, home to its immigrants from China, the iconic Japanese Bridge has become the symbol of Hoi An and the first stop for most visitors.

Sadly, very few selfie-takers actually stop at the small pagoda on the bridge, despite the fact this is what makes the structure so unique, so do take a look. If you can’t face the crowds here, then there’s a similarly charming covered bridge just out of Hue that gets very few tourists visiting which is a real delight to visit. Tran Phu Street, Hoi An

Tips for Visiting the Historic Hoi An Temples and Pagodas

Before you travel, read Secrets of Hoi An, Vietnam’s Historic Port by Carol Howland – it’s a wonderful guide to the long rich history of the town and a fabulous book to read in cafés in between wanders.

To really soak up the history of the ancient port town, we recommend staying in one of the two upstairs street-side rooms at Vinh Hung Heritage Hotel, located in a centuries-old merchant’s house in the centre of the ancient quarter (book well in advance). If you want a swimming pool, book a riverside room at the Indochine-chic French colonial-style Anantara Hoi An, a 15-minute walk to the Japanese Bridge and Hoi An’s other heritage sights.

Do see our itineraries for one perfect day in Hoi An and two days in Hoi An.

Once you arrive, you’ll need to purchase a Hoi An ancient town ticket, which gives you admission to the historic Hoi An temples and pagodas, below, as well as museums and heritage houses. You’ll see several booths selling tickets; the tourist office also sells them.

Out of respect, dress modestly and before entering temples and pagodas remove your hat and shoes.

Support our Cambodia Cookbook & Culinary History Book with a donation or monthly pledge on Patreon.

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About Lara Dunston

A travel and food writer who has experienced over 70 countries and written for The Guardian, Australian Gourmet Traveller, Feast, Delicious, National Geographic Traveller, Conde Nast Traveller, Travel+Leisure Southeast Asia, DestinAsian, TIME, CNN, The Independent, The Telegraph, Sunday Times Travel Magazine, AFAR, Wanderlust, International Traveller, Get Lost, Four Seasons Magazine, Fah Thai, Sawasdee, and more, as well as authored more than 40 guidebooks for Lonely Planet, DK, Footprint, Rough Guides, Fodors, Thomas Cook, and AA Guides.

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Lara and Terence are an Australian-born, Southeast Asia-based travel and food writers and photographers who have authored scores of guidebooks, produced countless travel and food stories, are currently developing cookbooks and guidebooks, and host culinary tours and writing and photography retreats in Southeast Asia.
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Still looking for Christmas cooking inspo? Check o Still looking for Christmas cooking inspo? Check out our seafood recipe collection, especially if you celebrate Christmas on Christmas Eve with a fish focused meal in the Southern Italian tradition, transformed by Italian-Americans into the Feast of the Seven Fishes, or like Australians, who celebrate Christmas in the sweltering summer, feast on seafood for Christmas Day lunch, we’ve got lots of easy seafood recipes for you.

Our recipes include a classic prawn cocktail, blini with smoked salmon, a ceviche-style appetiser, and devilled eggs with caviar. We’ve also got recipes for fish soup, seafood pies and pastas, salmon tray bake, and crispy salmon with creamy mashed potatoes.

You’ll find the recipes here: https://grantourismotravels.com/seafood-recipes-for-christmas-eve-and-christmas-day-menus/
(Link in bio if you’re seeing this on IG)

Merry Christmas if you’re celebrating!! 

#christmas #christmasfood #seafood #fish #recipes #christmasrecipes #foodstagram #foodblogger #food #foodlover #igfood #picoftheday #igfood #igfoodie #cooking #foodblog #food #foodstagram #instafood #instafoodie #foodie #foodies #foodlover #foodpics #foodporn #foodphotography #foodwriter #foodblogger #grantourismo #grantourismotravels #xmas #merrychristmas #happychristmas
If you’re still looking for food inspo for Chris If you’re still looking for food inspo for Christmas Eve or Christmas Day meals, my smoked salmon ‘carpaccio’ recipe is one of dozens of recipes in this compilation of our best Christmas recipes (link below). 

The Christmas recipe compilation includes collections of our best Christmas breakfast recipes, best Christmas brunch recipes, best Christmas starter recipes, best Christmas cocktails, best Christmas dessert recipes, and homemade edible Christmas gifts and more.

My smoked salmon carpaccio recipe makes an easy elegant appetiser that’s made in minutes. If you’re having guests over, you can make the dish ahead by assembling the salmon, capers and pickled onions, and refrigerate it, then pour on the dressing just before serving. 

Provide toasted baguette slices and bowls of additional capers, pickles and dressing, so guests can customise their carpaccio. And open the bubbly!

You’ll find that recipe and many more Christmas recipes here: https://grantourismotravels.com/best-christmas-recipes/ (link in bio if you’re seeing this on IG)

Merry Christmas!! X

#christmas #christmasfood #recipes #christmasrecipes #foodstagram #salmon #smokedsalmon #foodblogger #food #foodlover #igfood #picoftheday #igfoodie #cooking #foodblog #food #foodstagram #instafood #instafoodie #foodie #foodies #foodlover #foodpics #foodporn #foodphotography #foodwriter #foodblogger #recipedeveloper #writingacookbook #grantourismo #grantourismotravels 
#xmas #merrychristmas #happychristmas
If you haven’t visited our site in a while, I sh If you haven’t visited our site in a while, I shared a collection of recipes for homemade edible Christmas gifts — for condiments, hot sauces, chilli oils, a whole array of pickles, spice blends, chilli salt, furakake seasoning, and spicy snacks, such as our Cambodian and Vietnamese roasted peanuts. 

I love giving homemade edibles as gifts as much as I love receiving them. Who wouldn’t appreciate jars filled with their favourite chilli oils, hot sauces, piquant pickles, and spicy peanuts that loved-ones have taken the time to make? 

Aside from the gesture and affordability of gifting homemade edibles, you’re minimising waste. You can use recycled jars or if buying new mason jars or clip-top Kilner jars, you know they’ll get repurposed.

No need for wrapping, just attach some Christmas baubles or tinsel to the lid. I used squares of Cambodian kramas (cotton scarves), which can be repurposed as napkins or drink coasters, and tied a ribbon or two around the lids, and attached last year’s Christmas tree decorations to some.

You’ll find the recipes here: https://grantourismotravels.com/homemade-edible-christmas-gifts/ (link in bio if you’re seeing this on IG)

Yes, that’s Pepper... every time there’s a camera around... 

#christmasgiftideas #ediblegifts ##christmasfoodgifts #foodgifts #giftideas #homemadegifts #christmasfood #ediblegiftideas #hotsauce #chillisauce #sriracha #pickles #homemadepickles #recipes #foodstagram #foodblogger #food #foodlover #igfood 
#blackcat #blackcatsofinstagram #picoftheday 
#christmas #christmastree #xmas #merrychristmas #happychristmas #cambodia #siemreap
This crab omelette is a decadent eggs dish that’ This crab omelette is a decadent eggs dish that’s perfect if you’re just back from the fish markets armed with luxurious fresh crab meat. It’s a little sweet, a little spicy, and very, very moreish.

Our crab omelette recipe was one of our 22 most popular egg recipes of 2022 on our website Grantourismo and it’s no surprise. It’s appeared more times than any other egg recipes on our annual round-ups of most popular recipes since Terence launched Weekend Eggs when we launched Grantourismo in 2010.

If you’re an eggs lover, do check out the recipe collection. It includes egg recipes from right around the world, from recipes for classic kopitiam eggs from Singapore and Malaysia and egg curries from India and Myanmar to all kinds of egg recipes from Thailand, Japan, Korea, China, Mexico, USA, Australia, UK, and Ireland.

And do browse our Weekend Eggs archives for further eggspiration (sorry). We have hundreds of egg recipes from the 13 year-old series of recipes for quintessential egg dishes from around the world, which we started on our 2010 year-long global grand tour focused on slow, local and experiential travel. 

We’re hoping 2023 will be the year we can finally publish the Weekend Eggs cookbook we’ve talked about for years based on that series. After we can find a publisher for the Cambodia cookbook of course... :( 

Recipe collection here (and proper link to Grantourismo in our bio):
https://grantourismotravels.com/22-most-popular-egg-recipes-of-2022-from-weekend-eggs/

If you cook the recipe and enjoy it please let us know — we love to hear from you — either in the comments at the end of the recipe or share a pic with us here.

#recipe #recipes #eggs #eggslover #breakfasteggs #WeekendEggs #egg #breakfast #brunch #igfood #igfoodie #cooking #foodblog #food #foodstagram #instafood  #instafoodie #foodie #foodies #foodlover #foodpics #foodporn #foodphotography #foodwriter #foodblogger #recipedeveloper #lookingforapublisher #writingacookbook  #grantourismo #grantourismotravels
I’m late to share this, but a few days ago Angko I’m late to share this, but a few days ago Angkor Archaeological Park, home to stupendous Angkor Wat, pictured, celebrated 30 years of its UNESCO World Heritage listing. 

That’s as good an excuse as any to put this magnificent, sprawling archaeological site on your travel list this year.

While riverside Siem Reap, your base for exploring Angkor is bustling once more, there are still nowhere near the visitors of the last busy high season months of December-January 2018-2019 when there were 290,000 visitors. 

Last month there were just 55,000 visitors and December feels a little quieter. A tour guide friend said there were about 150 people at Angkor Wat for sunrise a few days ago.

If you’re looking for tips to visiting Angkor, Siem Reap and Cambodia, just ask us a question in the comments below or check Grantourismo as we’ve got loads of info on our site. Click through to the link in the bio and explore our Cambodia guide or search for ‘Angkor’. 

And please do let us know if you’re coming to Siem Reap. We’d love to see you here x

#siemreap #cambodia #asia #travel #instatravel #traveldeeper #slowtravel #localtravel #experientialtravel #exploremore #neverstopexploring #goexplore #igtravel #angkorwat #angkor #temple #temples #angkorwithoutcrowds #unesco #unescoworldheritagesite #unescoworldheritage #archaeology #archaeologicalsite #traveladdict #beautifuldestinations #beautifulplaces #travelgram #wanderlust #picoftheday📷 #grantourismotravels.
Our soy ginger chicken recipe will make you sticky Our soy ginger chicken recipe will make you sticky, flavourful and succulent chicken thighs that are fantastic with steamed rice, Chinese greens or a salad, such as a Southeast Asian slaw. 

The chicken can be marinated for up to 24 hours before cooking, which ensures it’s packed with flavour, then it can be cooked on a barbecue or in a pan.

Terence’s soy ginger chicken recipe is one of our favourite recipes for a quick and easy meal. I love the sound of the sizzling thighs in the pan, and the warming aromas wafting through the apartment. 

It’s amazing how such flavourful juicy chicken thighs come from such a quick and easy recipe.

Recipe here (and proper link to Grantourismo in our bio): https://grantourismotravels.com/soy-ginger-chicken-recipe/

If you cook it and enjoy it please let us know — we love to hear from you — either here or in the comments at the end of the recipe on the site or share a pic with us x 

#recipe #recipes #chicken #soygingerchicken #asianfood #southeastasianfood #igfood #igfoodie #cooking #cookingtime #recipe #recipes #comfortfood #foodblog #food #foodstagram #healthyfood #instafood #healthy #instafoodie #foodie #foodies #foodlover #foodpics #foodporn #foodphotography #foodwriter #foodblogger #recipedeveloper #writingacookbook #grantourismo #grantourismotravels
Who can guess the ingredients and what we’re mak Who can guess the ingredients and what we’re making with my market haul from Psar Samaki in Siem Reap — all for a whopping 10,000 riel (US$2.50)?! 

Birds-eye chillies thrown in for free! They were on my list but the seller I spent most at (5,000 riel!) scooped up a handful and slipped them into my bag. She was my last stop and knew what I was making.

My Khmer is poor, even after all our years in Cambodia, as I don’t learn languages with the ease I did in my 20s, plus I’m mentally exhausted after researching and writing all day. I have a better vocabulary of Old and Middle Khmer than modern Khmer from studying the ancient inscriptions for the Cambodian culinary history component of our cookbook I’m writing.

So when one seller totalled my purchases I thought she said 5,000 riel but she handed back 4,500 riel! The sum total of two huge bunches of herbs and kaffir lime leaves was 500 riel.

Tip: if visiting Siem Reap, use Khmer riel for local shopping. We’ve mainly used riel since the pandemic started— rarely use US$ now as market sellers quote prices in riels, as do local shops and bakeries, and I tip tuk tuk drivers in riels. I find prices quoted in riels are lower.

Psar Samaki is cheaper than Psar Leu, which is cheaper than Psar Chas, as it’s a wholesale market, which means the produce is fresher. I see veggies arriving, piled high in the back of vehicles, with dirt still on them — as I did on this trip. 

The scent of a mountain of incredibly aromatic pineapples offloaded from the back of a dusty ute was so heady they smelt like they’d just been cut. More exotic European style veggies arrive by big trucks in boxes labelled in Vietnamese (from Dalat) and Mandarin (from China), such as beautiful snow-white cauliflower I spotted.

Note: the freshest produce is sold on the dirt road at the back of the market.

#cambodia #siemreap #foodwriter #foodblogger #foodphotography #igfood #foodstagram #instafood #instafoodie #foodie #instadaily #picoftheday #market #siemreapmarket #psarsamaki #marketfresh #vegetables #healthyfood #marketshopping #traveltips #foodtravel #culinarytravel #localtravel #cooking #cookingtime #curry #homemade #currypaste #grantourismotravels
My Vietnamese-ish meatballs and rice noodles recip My Vietnamese-ish meatballs and rice noodles recipe makes tender meatballs doused in a delightfully tangy-sweet sauce, sprinkled with crispy fried shallots, with carrot-daikon, crunchy cucumber and fragrant herbs. 

The dish is inspired by bún chả, a Hanoi specialty, but it’s not bún chả. No matter what Google or food bloggers tell you. Names are important, especially when cooking and writing about cuisines not our own.

This is an authentic bún chả recipe:  https://grantourismotravels.com/vietnamese-bun-cha-recipe/ You’ll need to get the outdoor BBQ/grill going to do proper smoky bún chả meat patties (not meatballs).

My meatball noodle bowl is perhaps more closely related to dishes such as a Central Vietnam cousin bún thịt nướng (pork skewers on rice noodles in a bowl) and a Southern relation bún bò Nam Bộ (beef atop rice noodles, sprinkled with fried shallots (Nam Bộ=Southern Vietnam) though neither include meatballs. 

Xíu mại= meatballs although they’re different in flavour to mine, which taste more like bún chả patties. Xíu mại remind me of Southern Italian meatballs in tomato sauce.

In Vietnam’s Mekong Delta, home to millions of Khmer, there’s bánh tằm xíu mại. Bánh tằm=silk worm noodles. They’re topped with meatballs, cucumber, daikon, carrot, fresh herbs, crispy fried onions. Difference: cold noodles doused in a sauce of coconut cream and fish sauce. 

Remove the meatballs, add chopped fried spring rolls and it’s Cambodia’s banh sung, which is a rice noodle salad similar to Vietnam’s bún chả giò :) 

Recipe here: (link in bio) https://grantourismotravels.com/vietnamese-meatballs-and-rice-noodles-recipe/

For more on these culinary connections you’ll have to wait for our Cambodian cookbook and culinary history. In a hurry to know? Come support the project on Patreon. (link in bio)

#recipe #recipes #vietnamesefood #cambodianfood #asianfood #southeastasianfood #ricenoodles #rice #noodlebowl #meatballs #igfood #igfoodie #foodblog #food #foodstagram #instafood  #instafoodie #foodie #foodies #foodlover #foodpics #foodporn #foodphotography #foodwriter #foodblogger #writingacookbook #writingacambodiancookbook #patreon #patreoncreator #grantourismo
It is pure coincidence that Pepper’s eye colour It is pure coincidence that Pepper’s eye colour matches the furnishings of our rented apartment. So, no, I did not colour-coordinate the interiors to match our cat’s eyes. 

I keep getting DMs from pet clothing brands wanting to “partner” with Pepper and send her free cat clothes and cat accessories. Although she did wear a kerchief for a few years in her more adventurous fashion-forward teenage years, I cannot see this cat in clothes now, can you? 

#pepper #blackcat #blackcats #blackcatsofinstagram #blackcatsrule #blackcatsmatter #cat #cats #catsofinstagram #catstagram #catlover #catlovers #catlove #catoftheday #catphoto #catpic #catpics #cambodiancat #cambodiancatsofinstagram #catlife #catloversclub #catoftheday #catgram #catstagram #cats_of_instagram #catphotography #catsofig #catsoftheworld #catsofinsta #cats🐱 #siemreap #cambodia

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