Hoi An in the flood season: Unique experiences and things to know

Discover the tranquil beauty of Hoi An ancient town when the streets turn into rivers. A guide to safe travel and unforgettable experiences during this special season.

Flood season: Another "specialty" of Hoi An

Hoi An not only attracts tourists with its ancient houses with yellow walls and colorful bougainvillea vines, but also has a very unique beauty during the rainy season. When the Hoai River rises, the whole old town seems to transform into an Eastern version of Venice, bringing a unique and unforgettable experience to those who have the opportunity to visit at this time.

On the afternoon of October 27, floodwaters in Hoi An ancient town rose rapidly, causing deep flooding in many central areas. Along Bach Dang, Tran Phu, Nguyen Thai Hoc streets... were flooded, with some places being nearly 3 meters deep.

Experience the old town on boats

When streets like Bach Dang, Tran Phu, Nguyen Thai Hoc are submerged in water, the main means of transportation for locals and tourists are small boats. This is not only a temporary solution but also a typical tourist service. Local people row boats to take tourists through the alleys, admiring the ancient roofs from a completely new perspective.

This activity also helps people earn extra income during the rainy and flood days. According to Mr. Thanh, a local resident, each trip costs about 200,000 VND, bringing in a significant source of income when other tourism services have to be temporarily suspended.

Tourists were evacuated from the old town center by boat.

Perspective from international tourists

For many foreign tourists, the flood experience in Hoi An is a surprising and memorable one. Brian, a tourist from the UK, shared his surprise at how quickly the floodwaters rose and his family was assisted by hotel staff to move by boat to a safer place. "This is probably one of my most memorable experiences in Hoi An," he said.

The timely support from accommodation establishments and local people in moving and evacuating tourists from deeply flooded areas such as An Hoi quarter has left a good impression of the hospitality and ability to respond to natural disasters of the heritage city.

British tourist Brian shared: "I was very surprised because the flood water rose quite quickly. This is probably one of my most memorable memories of Hoi An."

Important notes when traveling to Hoi An during the rainy season

Traveling to Hoi An during the flood season can be an exciting experience, but visitors need to be well prepared and put safety first.

Keep a close eye on weather information

Floods in Hoi An can rise quickly. Visitors should keep up to date with weather forecasts and warnings from local authorities. Flood warning levels, such as level 3, are a sign that conditions could become dangerous.

Choose a safe place to stay

When booking a room, prioritize hotels and homestays in high areas. If staying in riverside or low-lying areas, ask clearly about the accommodation's flood response plan to ensure safety and avoid inconvenience in case of emergency evacuation.

Comply with safety regulations

Local authorities often deploy safety measures such as putting up warning ropes in deep, dangerous flooded areas. Rescue forces and police are always on duty to support people. Tourists must strictly follow instructions and not row boats or go into areas with strong currents.

Rescue forces and police are on duty to remind people not to row boats into areas with whirlpools.

Hoi An cuisine still attracts tourists

Even during the rainy season, the appeal of Hoi An cuisine has not diminished. Specialties such as Cao Lau are still served at higher altitudes. A bowl of Cao Lau with chewy noodles, flavorful char siu pork and fresh herbs costs about 35,000 VND, enough to satisfy any diner, bringing a little warmth in the chilly weather of the rainy season.

Source: https://baolamdong.vn/hoi-an-mua-nuoc-noi-trai-nghiem-doc-dao-va-nhung-dieu-can-biet-398242.html