Those who wish to experience Hoi An's quiet beauty can wake up around 6 am, when only a few locals dot the streets.

Shops in Hoi An typically open after 8 am, primarily serving tourists. A few establishments catering to locals open from 5 am and close before noon. Popular breakfast dishes include Quang noodles, cao lau, sticky rice, and banh mi, priced from 25,000-40,000 VND.

Nguyen Thanh Nhan, owner of The Son Bistro cafe, which opens at 7 am, shared that Hoi An's early morning scenery is beautiful, though the vibrancy of peak hours also has its own appeal.

He believes Hoi An's simple "architectural shell" needs to be enlivened by gentle music or folk games. Previously, he would invite a live band to play soft music on the sidewalk in the afternoon, but now performances are confined indoors, leading to a decrease in customers.

Elena, a French visitor on an extended trip to Da Nang, chose to stay in Hoi An for one week.

She enjoys waking early to run and admire the quiet streets, a stark contrast to the crowded scene after 4 pm, when even walking becomes difficult.

The alley, bustling with visitors waiting to take photos in the afternoon, sees only a few locals passing through in the morning.

According to the Hoi An Center for World Cultural Heritage Preservation, the alleys here are typically not dead ends, featuring a structure of connecting streets and paths. The narrow alleys, some barely wide enough for one person, require those passing in opposite directions to press against the walls.

Hoi An maintains a simple charm with the daily rhythm of its local residents. On the sidewalk, a mother feeds her child breakfast next to an elder enjoying the cool air, with a pushcart laden with goods behind them.

Hoi An residents enjoy an early morning coffee habit when the streets are still quiet.

In mid-April, Luong Dinh Long and his son opened a ready-to-wear clothing store in Hoi An's ancient town center. While his son prepared the merchandise, Mr. Long arranged a small offering tray with boiled chicken, fruit, sweet soup, and votive paper.

"You have to wake up early to be on time for everything to go smoothly", he said.

In two- to three-section houses, residents often use the outermost section for business.

Hoi An offers a diverse range of goods, with inexpensive clothing, souvenirs, and general merchandise being the most popular among visitors. Due to inconsistent pricing, tourists can find affordable items in some places, while others sell at higher prices.

Some early-rising tourists take photos, avoiding peak hours, often waiting 5-10 minutes in front of Hoi An's blooming bougainvillea bushes.

"I took pictures all yesterday afternoon but none turned out well; I had to make an effort to wake up early to avoid the crowds", Ha Minh, a visitor from Hanoi, shared. She added that despite sacrificing sleep, the result was "priceless", as the entire ancient town became a photo backdrop, from the yellow walls and signboards to the bougainvillea bushes.

After 8 am, the vibrant sounds of motorbikes and conversations signal the continuation of the ancient town's lively pace.

Nguyen Thi Xuan, who has run a sidewalk eatery for over 30 years, noted that the ancient town has changed significantly. Often when she goes out, she hears only foreign voices and street vendors calling out to customers in broken English.

"I only like selling in the early morning; all my customers are locals, and by midday, I'm done and go home", she said, explaining that Hoi An's early morning truly offers a different world for visitors who cherish tranquility.

Hoi An Market in the early morning (photo), as a few vendors set up their stalls. This is a favorite destination for many visitors seeking a variety of goods and cuisine in one place.

Tu Nguyen

Photos: Giang Huy