Tourists paddle to safety after Storm Damrey drowns Hoi An

By Duc Dong, Quynh Tran   November 5, 2017 | 02:53 am PT
Some parts of Vietnam's popular ancient tourist town are under 1.5 meters (5 feet) of water.
 
From early Sunday morning, Hoi An, an atmospheric port city and popular stop on Vietnams tourist circuit, has been submerged in water.

The spouses of some APEC leaders are scheduled to pay a visit to Hoi An next week. However, since Sunday morning, the atmospheric port town and popular stop on Vietnam's tourist circuit has been submerged in water.

Most tourists and local residents have to use boats to travel from the flood-affected villages and hotels to higher places.

Boats have become the only means of transport from flood-affected areas to higher places.

We are accustomed to the floods. However this time the water rose so that I could not clean up my goods in time. Some of them got soaked in water, said Hoai Nam, a sourvenir shop owner in Hoi An.

"Living in Hoi An we are accustomed to floods," said Hoai Nam, whose sourvenir shop has been submerged. "However, this time the water rose so fast that I could not clean up my goods in time. Some of them got soaked in water." 

Many other shops and restaurants are under water too. Traffic is paralyzed as floodwater continues to rise.

Many other shops and restaurants are under water too. Traffic has been paralyzed as floodwater continues to rise.

Hoi An residents quickly move out of the flooded areas.

Hoi An residents are moving quickly out of the flooded areas.

... or simply move to a higher place.

... or simply to higher ground.

The water rose up very fast from midnight. Our house is submerged in the water so we have to move to my relatives house and stay there for a few days. This is some food I prepared earlier for this flood, said Sa, a local resident.

"The water rose quickly from midnight. Our house is submerged in the water so we've had to move to my relative's house. This is some food I prepared earlier for the flood," said Sa, a local resident.

By Sunday noon, floodwater has reached 1.5 meters in some parts of town.

By Sunday afternoon, floodwater had reached 1.5 meters (5 feet) in some parts of town.

Foreign tourists being transferred by boats to hotels in higher area

Foreign tourists were being transferred by boats to hotels in higher areas.

Hoi Ans symbol, the Cau Pagoda under the water

The Japanese Pagoda under water.

Weather forecasters said the water level will continue to rise in the next 6 hours.

Weather forecasters said that water levels will continue to rise over the next six hours.

 
 
go to top