Thu Bon River is one of the nicest waterways in Vietnam. The river begins at an altitude of 2,598m, in the Ngoc Linh Mountain. Thu Bon River in Hoi An plays an important role in the geography, culture and history of Hoi An. Moreover, the Thu Bon River is not just the chief culminating point for most festivals and events that are held in Hoi An, but also the chief source of livelihood for many residents of the town. Nowadays, the remains of the ancient port and the picturesque waterfronts can be seen along the river.

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The river is responsible in a big way for the traditional and historical heritage of the town of Hoi An. The now fishing town of Hoi An was a popular international trade destination and also a convenient stopover for many merchant ships bound to and from China and other countries. This was chiefly because the Thu Bon River flowed into the East Sea. Trade in the town via the river thrived from the 16th to the 18th centuries. In fact, most of the current populations of the town are descendents of traders and merchants who chose to settle down in the town. It is believed that in those days the Thu Bon River had a larger estuary area, which facilitated trade and communication. The bays and shores made of sandbanks and guarded by lagoons indicate that this might have indeed been the case.

From Hoi An, visitors can rent a boat and stop at the beautiful villages located along the river.

Source: hoian-tourism.com

For lots of tourists to Hoi An, sitting on a boat floating down along the river at night is a kind of amusement. It can be more romantic by releasing some small paper lanterns down onto the river at night and making your wishes. Have a talk with your boatman then you can know more about local life. And if you are foodies, Hoi An is a great place to enjoy Vietnamese cuisine. Why don’t you just contact with our guides and do all of these things. An evening walking food tour around town, eating, making some noise, playing some traditional games,…will be a lot of fun. Hoi An Food Tour‘s guides are lovely, funny and knowledgeable who can give you excellent insight about Hoi An’s food, culture and history. Have a look at Evening walking food tour for more details.