Japan's Crown Prince and Princess Akishino have visited the city of Hoi An in central Vietnam, where a Japanese town was built by merchants from Japan about 400 years ago.

The old part of the city maintains a traditional landscape from when the city was a prosperous trading port.

The couple visited the old city, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

They saw a 10-meter-long wooden replica of an old Japanese trading ship at the entrance to the old city.

They visited a bridge called Chua Cau, or the Japanese Bridge, which is said to have been built with assistance from the Japanese in the 17th century.

Repair work is currently underway on the historic bridge with Japan's help.

Then the Crown Prince and Princess enjoyed a stroll, taking photographs and stopping by a shop which sells landscape drawings.

On Sunday, they are scheduled to visit another World Heritage site, My Son, which underwent preservation and restoration with assistance from Japan.