Hoi An becomes a global tourist hub

Hoi An- a global tourist hub in Vietnam

Fifty years after liberation, Hoi An has transformed from a little-known town into one of Vietnam’s top tourist attractions. This result comes from decades of dedication by local residents and businesses.

The early days

Reportedly, Hoi An’s first tourism company was established in 1990. An old building was then converted into a mini hotel named after Hoi An with just eight rooms, marking the city’s first step into tourism.

Back then, the tourism industry was small, with only a few homestays and guesthouses. Most visitors were Western backpackers who often stayed in Da Nang and made brief stops in Hoi An. In 1993, the city introduced entrance tickets for the ancient town, though the initial reception was modest.

By 1995, Hoi An’s tourism industry began to grow, with more restaurants, shops, and tailor services. Quick tailoring became a signature attraction, with brands like Thu Thuy, YaLy, and A Dong Silk thriving. Many families transitioned from selling fabric in the market to opening tailoring businesses, a service still beloved by visitors today.

Hoi An’s cultural transformation

In the early 1990s, Hoi An’s economy relied on fishing, agriculture, and handicrafts. However, experts soon recognized the economic potential of heritage conservation. Polish architect Kazimierz Kwiatkowski once predicted that Hoi An’s residents could prosper by preserving their historic homes.

Visitors to Hoi An

A major turning point came in 1999 when UNESCO recognised Hoi An as a World Cultural Heritage site. Tourism surged, with visitor numbers rising from 202,000 in 1999 to 4.43 million in 2024.

Nguyen Su, former Hoi An city's Party Secretary, said that Hoi An’s true charm lies not just in its architecture but in its people. Visitors may come for the ancient town, but they return for Hoi An’s warmth and peaceful spirit.

To learn more about the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism (VNAT), visit their official website at https://vietnamtourism.gov.vn/en/. As an agency under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, VNAT oversees state management of tourism, enforces tourism laws nationwide, and manages public services in tourism according to the law.

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