On November 18, amid rising floodwaters, the ancient streets of Hoi An were once again submerged. But instead of driving tourists away, the flood transformed the city into a unique riverine destination, where visitors - especially foreign tourists - happily boarded small boats to experience the historic town from a rare and beautiful angle.

Heavy rainfall, compounded by upstream hydroelectric dam discharges, caused the water level of the Vu Gia–Thu Bon river system to rise sharply. The Hoai River, a tributary flowing directly through Hoi An's Old Quarter, quickly overflowed its banks. This marked the third major flood event in just 20 days.

By the afternoon, many riverside streets in Hoi An’s historic core were underwater, forcing shops and attractions to close. Locals scrambled to relocate goods and protect homes, while small boats - usually tied up quietly along the riverbanks - became the main mode of transportation through the flooded alleys.

From disruption to discovery

Despite the disruption, the streets came alive with a different kind of activity.

Locals offered boat rides through the submerged quarter, turning necessity into enterprise. Tourists welcomed the opportunity to experience Hoi An in a way few ever do. Dozens of visitors, especially international travelers, eagerly rented boats to glide through moss-covered buildings and under the tile roofs of ancient houses.

Each boat ride, depending on duration and route, ranged from 50,000 to 200,000 VND (around $2 to $8 USD) per person. Passengers were equipped with life vests, and local police were stationed at various flood-prone sites to ensure boats followed safety protocols and passenger limits.

The poetic contrast between historic architecture and floodwaters gave the scene a calm, almost cinematic quality. Many travelers snapped photos and videos from their boats, capturing the quiet beauty of the Old Town transformed into a water world.

Nguyen Phuong Lan, a 32-year-old visitor from Nghe An, shared her excitement.

“I used to see pictures of flooded Hoi An online and was curious. Now that I’m here in person, boating through these streets, it’s surreal. Yes, it’s inconvenient, but it’s also incredibly special,” she said.

A city that floats through hardship

Even cafes near the floodlines found a way to stay open. While some streets were submerged under more than a meter of water, others remained dry enough for customers to sip coffee and watch the river swell just a few feet away.

Two Korean tourists were seen photographing the rare scene, while nearby, residents moved belongings to higher ground.

By 6:30 p.m. on November 18, the water still covered key streets along the Hoai River, including Nguyen Thai Hoc, one of the Old Town’s main commercial routes.

Despite the hardship and frequent evacuations, Hoi An residents remained composed, adapting to nature’s rhythm. Meanwhile, visitors left with a once-in-a-lifetime story: of a city where streets turn to rivers, and resilience floats on tradition.

Ha Nam