Six hundred years ago, ancient Hoi An, with its wide open plains, was a place of convergence between various cultures, customs, lifestyles and architecture. Its inhabitants included the Cham ethnic groups, Portuguese, Vietnamese, Chinese, and Japanese settlers. Centuries later, it is still an exceptionally well-preserved example of the once bustling trading port, with a remarkable cultural diversity. Recognized as a World Cultural Heritage Site in 1999, Hoi An has now become one of Asia’s most fascinating destinations.