Why do more and more people choose to stay in Hoi An?

Mai – 35 years old, who used to live in Hanoi and Saigon – said that her first trip to Hoi An was just a weekend “for a change of pace”. But the more she returned, the more she felt attached:

“Every time I come back, I feel lighter. Waking up in the quiet garden, I suddenly think: maybe I should stay a few more days.”

Hoi An is not noisy, not flashy. But this place has its own unique beauty – quiet enough for people to stop, deep enough for people to want to stay longer.

Amidst the bustling old town, Hoi An still retains the tranquility of a land that was once an international trading port. Cycling along the Hoai River in the morning, meditating in the garden in the afternoon, sipping tea under lanterns in the evening – every moment here seems to be prolonged, gentle and profound.

Hoi An leaves a strong impression on every first-time visitor.

For people like Mai who have lived in many cities, the bright lights of the city are no longer attractive. What they seek is kindness, health, real connection – a community with depth, where neighbors are not just people living next door, but people living together.

Hoa – 42 years old, who has worked as a creative in many countries – also chose to return to Hoi An after many years of wandering.

“Here, nature – community – culture blend together. Every bougainvillea trellis, every small alley evokes memories. I was especially impressed with the Hoi An Memories live stage, where 500 actors recreated 400 years of history in an open space full of emotions.”

Fresh air, peaceful pace of life, security like a small town – Hoi An has something that makes people naturally want to live more simply. And live more authentically.

Hoi An Memories Live Show - Source: Reference

But to stay – emotions alone are not enough

To call Hoi An “home,” many people still have to compromise: renting a house, lack of service centers, lack of community with the same lifestyle.

Minh, an architect who moved to Hoi An earlier this year, shared: “I needed a place that still retained its heritage spirit, but had to have adequate healthcare, education, art, and modern connections. There are many beautiful places, but with poor digital infrastructure, so I had to pass them up.”

It can be seen that many people are not just looking for a place to live. They need a living space worthy of their stature – where nature and culture blend, but still meet international standards: enough amenities to live long-term, to bond with family and for children. 

Hoi An – Between aspiration and reality.

According to the orientation to 2050, Hoi An will become an ecological - heritage - multi-functional urban area. And in the new context, the proposal to merge Quang Nam into Da Nang was approved, an opportunity for transformation is gradually opening up.

Not only is it a change in boundaries, this could be a strategic boost – expanding regional connectivity, attracting infrastructure investment, turning Hoi An into a leading resort – residential – tourism center in the Central region.

What Hoi An needs now is not just nostalgic beauty - but a new standard of living, full of amenities and of international stature. A well-planned urban area, where people can settle down long-term, have a complete vacation, and invest for sustainable profits. An integrated ecosystem from education, healthcare, sports, commerce, art - to peaceful moments in the middle of nature. And above all, it must be a place where the breath of heritage is still present in every architectural detail, in the way the community lives slowly, deeply and culturally.