Hoi An tourism leaders propose art tours and village links for quieter months
Visits to Cam Thanh coconut forest were around 50 per cent below summer levels, but remained stable against the same period last year.
Tourism industry representatives in Vietnam’s Hoi An have proposed cultural activities and connections between nearby villages to attract visitors outside the peak season. The director of a major local hotel told Tuoi Tre that the property was noticeably quieter this year, after previously being nearly full throughout the year.
The slowdown is not uniform across comparisons. Le Cong Sy, director of the Hoi An Dong Public Service Provision Center, said Cam Thanh coconut forest had recorded around 50 per cent fewer visitors than in summer. However, numbers were stable year on year, and flooding had left its waterways relatively unaffected.
Da Nang Tourism Association vice-chairman Nguyen Duc Quynh recommended art tours and spaces for visitors to engage with artists and join cultural activities. He said new experiences should complement the town’s heritage, not change its identity.
Another association vice-chairman, Le Quoc Viet, suggested a bamboo bridge measuring 1.2 kilometres near the Co Co River, connecting Tra Que Vegetable Village, An My rice-growing village and Tan Thanh fishing village. Possible activities include floating markets, folk performances and sunset tours. A separate proposal envisages a traditional Vietnamese medicine quarter with wellness retreats, herbal experiences and health-focused cuisine.
Visit Indochina Travel Company director Nguyen Son Thuy said concerns over storms and flooding often made overseas partners hesitant to promote central Vietnam for October and November. He called for authorities and meteorological agencies to work together on reliable early weather forecasts, enabling travel companies to plan itineraries and make adjustments.
