Hoi An used to be an important trading post, of the magnitude of Malaca or Macau. Chinese and Japanese traders would sail south in sprint following the trade winds, arriving in Hoi An. They would settle there for the summer and wait for the reverse trade winds to sail Northwards on the Autumn.
With time, their warehouses and temporary housing became more and more permanent, till a large community of Chinese and Japanese traders settled for life. At some point the estuary silted and the communication with the sea became too difficult for trading vessels, at which point trade moved to Da Nang.
Old Hoi An still preserves the influence of those communities, from the Japanese bridge to various Assembly Halls for each trading community and temples of their religions.
With time, their warehouses and temporary housing became more and more permanent, till a large community of Chinese and Japanese traders settled for life. At some point the estuary silted and the communication with the sea became too difficult for trading vessels, at which point trade moved to Da Nang.Old Hoi An still preserves the influence of those communities, from the Japanese bridge to various Assembly Halls for each trading community and temples of their religions.
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