Foreign newspapers publish 'rare photos' of Hoi An.

Recently, the South China Morning Post (SCMP), a long-standing and well-known newspaper from Hong Kong (China), published special images of Hoi An (Quang Nam) from over 30 years ago.

Simon O'Reilly, the author of the article, shared that during his recent visit to Vietnam, especially his return to Hoi An ( Quang Nam ), he realized "how much the S-shaped land has changed and developed over the past 30 years."

The author (in the middle) and his friend Andy (on the right).

In stark contrast to the bustling crowds of tourists today, O'Reilly recalls that in 1994 – his first visit to Hoi An – the entire old town had only two foreign visitors: himself and his roommate, Andy.

"Throughout the rest of the trip, we didn't see any other visitors. But the memories I have of this place are unforgettable," O'Reilly shared.

The author said he felt the genuine, simple, and unpretentious affection of the local people. They invited him and Andy to watch the boat race and then offered them beer and seafood.

"It was the most impressive and perfect sporting event I have ever seen," the author emphasized.

O'Reilly said that afterwards, he and his friend also visited Cua Dai beach and strolled around the old town, but everything was completely peaceful and quiet, a far cry from the vibrant and bustling life of the ancient city today.

"At that time, Hoi An was still notable for its old yellow houses, but there weren't many shops and restaurants. Some locals even told me that the electricity grid had only recently been stabilized," O'Reilly described in the article.

Although the food wasn't as diverse as it is today, according to O'Reilly, Hoi An's banh mi was still something "absolutely wonderful" with its fragrant pate filling.

Finally, the author did not forget to express his surprise as well as the impressions of tourism that Hoi An has today.

"This UNESCO World Heritage site, recognized in 1999, welcomed 4 million visitors in 2024 and has truly become a popular destination," O'Reilly said.

Vietnamnet.vn

Source: https://vietnamnet.vn/bao-nuoc-ngoai-dang-tai-anh-hiem-ve-hoi-an-2379987.html