On the evening of 21/2 (the fifth day of Tet), areas around Chua Cau (Cau Pagoda), Tran Phu and Bach Dang streets, and along the Hoai River were densely packed with tourists. The large crowds, drawn to the ancient town to release lanterns, watch art performances, and stroll during the New Year, caused significant traffic congestion at various times.

A representative from the Hoi An Center for Heritage Preservation reported that during the early New Year period, the ancient town welcomed tens of thousands of visitors daily. On the fourth day of Tet alone, ticket sales exceeded 5,000.

A section of the path leading down to the Hoai River on the evening of 21/2. *Tam Hung*

Many tourists reported needing almost an hour to cover a few hundred meters. "I have visited Hoi An many times, but it has never been this crowded", said Minh Anh, a tourist from TP HCM. "My family had to carry young children, which was very tiring."

Nhat Hoang, a tour guide from Da Nang, shared that his group intentionally departed at 16h to avoid peak hours but still encountered traffic jams for almost two hours outside the city center. Consequently, the entire group had to walk almost 2 km to reach the ancient town.

The Hoai River boat dock was also full of waiting passengers, with an average wait time of about 20 minutes per ride. Iconic heritage sites such as Chua Cau and Chua Ba Mu were almost completely saturated with tourists, leading many groups to abandon their plans and turn back.

Beyond attractions, restaurants and shops also operated non-stop. Popular establishments like Mot, Faifo, and LaHoian coffee on the main riverside streets were fully occupied early, with customers queuing for 20-30 minutes, or even longer during peak hours.

Visitors crowded the wooden bridge over the Hoai River in the heart of the ancient town. *Tam Hung*

A representative from Bep Nha Hoi An on Phan Chu Trinh street reported a severalfold increase in customer numbers compared to regular days, necessitating continuous ingredient replenishment. "The restaurant had almost no time to rest; as soon as a table became empty, another customer immediately took it", the Bep Nha Hoi An representative stated. They added that operating beyond capacity resulted in longer waiting times for dishes and occasional service errors.

Similarly, Mango Mango restaurant also experienced reservations exceeding its service capacity. The manager explained that customers called from the previous afternoon, and by evening, the restaurant had to turn away additional patrons due to lack of space.

A local tourism industry representative noted that during Tet Binh Ngo, room occupancy in the central area surpassed 80%, with many accommodations fully booked. The city deployed additional functional forces to regulate traffic, ensure security, and maintain environmental hygiene.

Many tourists acknowledged that such crowds are unavoidable during the peak spring travel season. "It's crowded, but still enjoyable", said Tran Hoa, a tourist from Ha Noi. "I only hope the city can implement a plan to stagger visitor arrivals by time slots to alleviate overcrowding."

For many years, Hoi An has remained a favored destination for New Year visitors, thanks to its ancient town charm and traditional cultural activities. On 9/2, the British magazine Time Out recognized Hoi An among the six best Tet experience destinations in Asia, highlighting its festivals and rituals rich in local cultural identity. Despite its popularity, the pressure on infrastructure and services during peak season continues to challenge this destination.

Tuan Anh