The Hoai River broke its banks and flooded nearby low-lying areas such as Cam Chau, Cam Thanh, An Hoi, Cam Pho, and Minh An wards. All tourists received timely support from local authorities if they wanted to move to better accommodation after the flooding.

The flooding does not limit travel to or in Hoi An ancient town. It actually makes the world heritage site even more special, especially for those setting foot in the city for the first time.

The flood waters are now receding, albeit slowly. Local authorities have outlined various measures to ensure the safety of both local residents and tourists. Local people in Hoi An have become used to flooding and are prepared to respond. And the ancient town is still amazing during floods, giving tourists an interesting and unusual experience.

A local man, Nguyen Cuong, told VietNamNet that he earned VND200,000 ($8)/boat trip of around 1km long. Cuong said he managed eight trips a day, from 7am to 6pm, earning a total of VND2 million/day.
“I was taken around the old town by a boatman. The trip was very interesting and so different from what I imagined when I came here, like walking to see old houses. A memory that I will definitely remember forever,” said Ms. Karen, a 61-year-old Canadian tourist.
“We thought that in Hoi An, we would taste delicious food, see the old town, and go to An Hoi Bridge to take pictures. But when I came here, the flood scene appeared before my eyes, so we decided to do something meaningful to preserve this memory. We rented a boat for VND200,000. It's really strange to ride a boat on a road," said Mr. Peter, a 34-year-old British tourist.

Cong Sang