Hoi-An, also known as Faifo, is one of the oldest cities in South-East Asia. During the 15th, 16th and 17th centuries, Hoi-An was one of the major international ports for the exchange of commodities between the West and the East. Many merchants from China, Portugal, Japan, Holland, France... came to deal in valuable products, including silk, fabrics, elephant tusks, jewelry, porcelain, pepper and cinnamon. Over the past 500 years, Hoi-An has still remained nearly intact with old harmonious combinations of Chinese, Vietnamese and Japanese architecture.