Hoi An, formerly known as Fai-Fo or Faifoo, is a city with a population of approximately 120,000 in Vietnam`s Quang Nam Province and noted since 1999 as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Old Town Hoi An, the city`s historic district, is recognized as an exceptionally well-preserved example of a Southeast Asian trading port dating from the 15th to the 19th century, its buildings and street plan reflecting a blend of indigenous and foreign influences. Prominent in the city`s old town, is its covered `Japanese Bridge`, dating to the 16th-17th century.
Hoi An translates as `peaceful meeting place`. In English and other European languages, the town was known historically as Faifo. This word is derived from Vietnamese Hoi An pho the town of Hoi An, which was shortened to `Hoi-pho`, and then to `Faifo`.
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