Tourists are returning to Vietnam's ancient town of Hoi An as residents clean up mud and debris to reopen the UNESCO-listed site following floods that devastated the central region and killed at least 35 people.

Tourism and services, driven by accommodation, dining and ticket sales, form the backbone of Hoi An's economy and contributed almost two-thirds of regional income in 2024 as the town welcomed more than 4.4 million visitors, including 3.6 million foreigners, official data shows.

Domestic and international visitors were seen strolling along the riverfront and visiting heritage landmarks from Saturday, despite most hotels, lantern shops and restaurants undergoing extensive cleaning to prepare for a full reopening ahead of the peak travel season.

The historic October floods submerge

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