Hoi An Ancient Town Officially Reopens to Visitors After Historic Flooding

The Hoi An Center for Cultural Heritage Management and Preservation has announced that ticket sales and guided tours in the pedestrian area of the Ancient Town have officially resumed after several days of suspension due to severe flooding.

Ticket counters in Hoi An Ancient Town reopen to welcome visitors after days of flooding, marking the town’s quick recovery and renewed energy.

According to the Center’s leadership, as of the morning of November 7, all public and privately managed heritage sites in the Ancient Town have reopened, welcoming a large number of visitors. Event organizers are also preparing to bring back cultural performances and street activities for tourists in the coming days.

Earlier, on October 27, local authorities had issued a notice to temporarily suspend tourism activities as heavy rainfall and upstream floods caused the Thu Bon River to overflow. The water level in Hoi An peaked on October 31, submerging many historical sites in what meteorologists described as a record-breaking flood, surpassing even the “Year of the Dragon” flood in 1964.

Visitors stroll through the charming streets of Hoi An, where the golden walls and leafy alleys shine again under the post-flood sunlight.

During the flood, water rose deep into the pedestrian zone, paralyzing business operations. Even the iconic Japanese Covered Bridge (Chùa Cầu) witnessed an extraordinary scene as floodwaters surged above its structure — a rare occurrence in modern history.

Yet, only days after the waters receded, local residents, authorities, and more than 300 soldiers from Military Region 5 worked tirelessly to clean up mud and debris. Within 24 hours, many streets in the pedestrian area were dry and spotless once again, with shops reopening and lights returning to the old town.

Even before official ticket counters and visitor centers reopened, tourists flocked back to stroll and admire Hoi An’s timeless charm, proving the city’s enduring appeal and resilience.

Beyond the Old Town, nearby attractions such as Tra Que Vegetable Village and Cam Thanh Coconut Forest have also reopened to visitors in recent days, signaling a strong recovery of tourism activities in the region.

Life returns to the Thu Bon River — tourists sip coffee along the riverbank while boats once again animate Hoi An’s scenic waterfront.

Visit Indochina