Over the past few years, the ancient town of Hoi An, located some 650 km south of Hanoi, is now becoming a favorite tourist destination in Vietnam. Hoi An, which used to be an international trading port in central Vietnam's Quang Nam province, has exceptionally well- preserved architectural wonders that include old houses, temples, pagodas, and other structures that have been built from the 15th to the 19th century. In 1999, the old town was recognized as a World Heritage site by United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization ( UNESCO).