Coffee shops throughout the famous Hoi An Ancient Town in the central Vietnamese province of Quang Nam are taking advantage of this year’s mild flood season by offering drinks to customers who do not mind getting their feet wet.  

The flooded streets of Hoi An have become an iconic symbol thanks to viral photographs that make their rounds on the Internet each year.

A flooded area of Hoi An City in Quang Nam Province, Vietnam. Photo: Tan Luc / Tuoi Tre

Whether floodwaters on the city streets rise a few inches or a few feet, most Hoi An locals have become accustomed to the annual phenomenon.

Residents and tourists are also taking advantage of the floods by visiting their favorite coffee shops along the Hoai River. 

Visitors enjoy drinks at a flooded cafe in Hoi An Ancient Town, Quang Nam Province, Vietnam, October 24, 2021. Photo: Tan Luc / Tuoi Tre

With this year’s flood relatively mild, the water on Bach Dang, Nguyen Thai Hoc, and Le Loi Streets barely rose above knee levels and hundreds of visitors ventured out to take in the unusual scenery.

Tran Thi Kim Anh, a 23-year-old from neighboring Da Nang, said she chose to visit Hoi An Ancient Town after seeing some amazing photographs of her friends posing in the floodwaters. 

The floodwaters did not seem to be doing much damage to the neighborhood and were really fun to play in, Anh added.

A woman rides her bicycle through the flooded streets of Hoi An, Quang Nam Province, Vietnam, October 24, 2021. Photo: Tan Luc / Tuoi Tre

According to H., the owner of a beverage shop in Hoi An, this flood season is actually a popular time to visit the city, so most shops stay open and try to arrange their tables and chairs next to inundated areas in order to welcome guests.

Given the COVID-19 pandemic’s devastating effects on Hoi An’s economy over the past two years, this initiative is an excellent chance to earn some extra cash and a much needed step to begin rebuilding financially.

Children play in the floodwaters of Hoi An, Quang Nam Province, Vietnam, October 24, 2021. Photo: Tan Luc / Tuoi Tre

Tourists snap photos and sip coffee at a flooded cafe in Hoi An Ancient Town, Quang Nam Province, Vietnam, October 24, 2021. Photo: Tan Luc / Tuoi Tre

A woman poses for a photo on a flooded corner in Hoi An, Quang Nam Province, Vietnam, October 24, 2021. Photo: Tan Luc / Tuoi Tre

A couple wades through floodwaters as they enjoy Hoi An Ancient Town during the rainy season on October 24, 2021. Photo: Tan Luc / Tuoi Tre

Customers bring their pet to a flooded cafe in Hoi An Ancient Town, Quang Nam Province, Vietnam, October 24, 2021. Photo: Tan Luc / Tuoi Tre

A flooded area of Hoi An, Quang Nam Province, Vietnam. Photo: Tan Luc / Tuoi Tre

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