The underside of the bridge was also damaged, partly due to strong flood currents and partly from collisions with boats used by residents.

The Phung Hung ancient house, over 240 years old on Nguyen Thi Minh Khai street (near the Japanese Bridge), was inundated by approximately 1,2 meters of water. The ancient house's gate and doors showed faded paint, clearly marked by the water level. The walls of the ancient house were damp and moldy, and many furnishings had not been fully rearranged due to repeated "flood evacuations."

In late november, as floodwaters receded from the streets along the Hoai River, Hoi An's ancient town quickly bustled with tourists once more.

The ancient town, recognized as a World Cultural Heritage site by UNESCO in 1999, recently endured three periods of flooding, lasting from 26/10 to 22/11. The most significant flood occurred from the night of 28/10 to the morning of 30/10, submerging areas along the Hoai River by nearly 3 meters. Even the Japanese Bridge, Hoi An's iconic symbol and the highest point along the river in the ancient town, was submerged by nearly half a meter.

Staff at the Japanese Bridge marked the 2025 flood level on a wooden panel at the entrance; it was the highest since the 1999 flood.

After the water receded, the Japanese Bridge was thoroughly cleaned and reopened to visitors. However, due to being submerged for many days, the wooden panels became discolored, bearing the distinct mark of the historic floodwaters.

Many wooden pillars inside the bridge, even after previous restorations, showed signs of exposed joints. Although the silt was cleaned and wiped multiple times, it still clung to the relic.

Outside the Japanese Bridge, the wall, approximately 1 meter high from the street level, showed peeling paint, despite a recent restoration completed in 7/2024.

Many ancient houses in Hoi An also sustained damage after the floods. At the Tan Ky ancient house, viewed from Bach Dang street along the Hoai River, silt marks were still visible on the walls. Many trees inside the house died from waterlogging.

This ancient house has two street frontages, Bach Dang and Nguyen Thai Hoc streets, with its foundation nearly 1 meter higher than the street level. However, during this year's flood, water rose over 2 meters inside the house.

On the wall of the Tan Ky ancient house, the owner marked the flood level of 30/10, which reached approximately 2,5 meters (measured from the house's foundation). This flood level was about 0,6 meters higher than the 1999 flood but approximately 0,5 meters lower than the 1964 flood.

Tourists visiting the ancient house are informed about this area, allowing them to visualize how the house, built in 1741, has endured severe floods.

The owner of the Tan Ky ancient house used a pulley system to move all furniture and valuable assets to the second floor, thereby preventing damage. However, because water flooded the house by over 2 meters, many wooden components suffered from exposed joints and discoloration, showing signs of damage that require repair.

An antique painting, over 100 years old, inside the Phung Hung ancient house was nearly half submerged, despite being hung approximately 1 meter above the floor.

Even after three weeks (since the flood peak on 30/10), the painting had not fully dried; a portion of the antique painting, soaked with water, was wrinkled and blurred.

Many mother-of-pearl inlays on two scroll couplets and several antique tables and chairs, submerged in floodwaters, peeled off. Le Thi My Tuyet, a representative managing the Phung Hung ancient house, stated that most of the wooden items in the house are over 100 years old and made of good wood. Upon hearing news of the major flood, she and her staff proactively raised items by over 1 meter, but could not avoid damage.

"Good wood can withstand water, but being submerged for too many days, with water mixed with silt, caused damage", Tuyet said, adding that she is seeking skilled carpenters to repair the damage.

An ancient house operating as a fabric shop on Nguyen Thai Hoc street, which was undergoing renovation, was flooded. The owner locked the doors, awaiting dry conditions to resume construction.

Hoi An ancient town boasts 1,155 relics. A preliminary inspection by the Hoi An Ward People's Committee indicates that 30 ancient houses are degraded, with 9 severely damaged and 14 slightly degraded relics. Some houses in the flooded area were already in a state of disrepair.

Vo Dang Phong, Vice Chairman of the Hoi An Ward People's Committee, explained that old wood, when submerged for extended periods, easily rots, even if it appears normal externally. While relics naturally "age", natural disasters accelerate this process significantly.

Following prolonged heavy rains, many yin-yang tiled roofs of Hoi An's ancient houses were also damaged. Owners had to use temporary tarpaulins, a method that affected the aesthetic appeal of the ancient town when viewed from above.

Pham Phu Ngoc, Deputy Director of the Hoi An Center for World Cultural Heritage Preservation, stated that assessing flood damage requires specialized methods, as wooden components and ancient walls often suffer internal damage, difficult to detect with the naked eye. The center has invited UNESCO experts to assist with the initial assessment.