The Japanese Bridge, constructed in the 17th century, is the symbol of Hoi An. Photo by Zhang Jianhua / Xinhua

The Japanese Bridge, constructed in the 17th century, is the most prominent Japanese-built structure now found in Hoi An. It has been officially selected to be the symbol of Hoi An.

The bridge has an arched roof skillfully carved with many fine designs. The two entrances to the bridge are guarded by a pair of monkeys on one side and a pair of dogs on the other.

According to legend, there once lived an enormous monster whose head was in India, its tail in Japan and its body in Vietnam. Whenever the monster moved, terrible disasters, such as floods and earthquakes happened in the three countries. Thus, in addition to transporting goods and people, the bridge was also believed to protect against the monster.

Besides its cultural and historical value, a major attraction in Hoi An that makes it a "shopper's paradise" is its tailors. There are hundreds of tailors in the town who are ready to make any kinds of clothes.

Hoi An is also noted for its hand-crafted lanterns. Lanterns appear on every corner of the ancient town, not just in houses.

Once a month, on the full moon, the old town switches off its street lamps and fluorescent lights and is turned into a fairytale land by the warm glow of lanterns made of silk, glass and paper that cast a magical spell on visitors.