Interview Laurent Olhman | Good Morning Hoi An

Hoi An attracts thousands of visitors every year, seduced by its timeless charm, its preserved architecture and its peaceful atmosphere. But what about those who have decided to settle down there for good?

Today I have the pleasure of interviewing Laurent Olhman the creator of the site Good Morning Hoi An, a French expatriate living here since 2012. Passionate about the city and its evolution, he shares his experiences, his good tips and his vision of Hoi An yesterday and today.

In this interview, he tells us his journey, his advice for discovering Hoi An differently, and what pushed him to stay so long. A dive into the daily life of an expatriate who lives to the rhythm of this unique city.

1. Can you introduce yourself in a few words?

I am Laurent Olhman, French expatriate based in Hoi An since 2012. I created Good Morning Hoi An in 2014 to share my experiences, good tips and advice with travelers and expatriates.

2. What brought you to Hoi An in 2012?

It was a friend, who had come to Vietnam several times, who wanted to show me the country. I immediately got hooked with the atmosphere and the way of life here, especially since I had the chance to visit Cao Bang and Ha Giang before these destinations become fashionable.

3. What was your first impression when you arrived in Vietnam for the first time?

I arrived in Vietnam in august, and my first step was Hanoi. The shock was immediate: the crushing heat (going from 25°C in France to 38°C with stifling humidity), the constant noise of horns and chaotic traffic.. It was quite a change!

Then, arriving at Hoi An, the contrast was striking. Here, everything was calmer, more charming, with its colorful streets, preserved architecture and a much more relaxed atmosphere. I immediately felt that it was a good place to live.

4. What made you want to stay this long?

In addition to the pleasant living environment, I have the chance to work in SEO, SO I can work from anywhere. Hoi An is a ideal setting to reconcile work and quality of life.

I also met my wife during my first trip.

5. How has Hoi An evolved since you arrived?

In 2012, Hoi An was already known but much more calm and authentic. Today, there are many more mass tourism, especially in the old town, but fortunately there are still peaceful corners.

6. Are there any aspects of the city that have changed for the better? And less good?

In good : More than restaurants, cafes and activities for expats and locals. The offer has diversified.

In less good : The explosion of tourism has made certain neighborhoods too commercial and prices have increased.

7. How would you describe daily life in Hoi An for an expat?

Contrary to popular belief, I work more than in France, but with the sun, the beach a few minutes away and a setting that makes you dream, that changes everything.

Here life is less stressful, even when working a lot. We travel by scooter or bike, we enjoy the rice fields and the sea, and a coffee break with a view of the river is enough to recharge the batteries.

Hoi An is not a big city, so you have to love tranquility and a calmer pace.

8. What do you like most here? And what do you miss compared to France?

What I like : THE relaxed pace of life, the kindness of the locals, the climate and of course, Vietnamese food.

What I miss : There family, cheese and sometimes a little structure in administration.

9. What are your favorite places in Hoi An that few tourists know about?

• The fishing village of Duy Hai at sunrise.
• The rice fields of Cam Kim for a bike ride.
• Ba Le market, much more authentic than the one in the center.

10. What advice would you give to someone visiting Hoi An for the first time?

• Avoid the old town in the middle of the day (too many people, go there early or late).
• Ride a bike or scooter to explore the surrounding area.
• Eat local in markets or small street restaurants.

11. What are the pitfalls to avoid as a tourist or expat in Hoi An?

• Inflated prices in certain tourist markets.
• Tailors who promise luxury clothes in 24 hours (sometimes questionable quality).
• Local restaurants where the clientele is exclusively foreign.
• Scammer taxis, favor Grab or a recommended driver.

12. Can you tell us about your site Good Morning Hoi An? What motivated you to create it?

I created Good Morning Hoi An For helping travelers and expatriates to discover the city differently. I was fed up with guides who only talked about the same 5 tourist places (basically Japanese bridge, old town and beach). Or travel agency sites that copy each other and provide outdated or false information.

14. Do you have an anecdote or a memorable experience related to your site or the people you met through it?

Yes ! Thanks to my site, I have met quite a few expatriates and even Vietnamese who thank me for my articles. Once, a tourist recognized me in a cafe and told me that my blog had saved his trip. It’s nice!

15. What are your plans for the future? Do you plan to stay in Hoi An for a long time?

For now, I see myself staying for several more years. I love life here and I still have lots of projects related to blogging and tourism.

16. How do you see the evolution of tourism in Hoi An in the coming years?

Tourism will continue to develop. I just hope Hoi An keeps its charm and authenticity, despite the growth of mass tourism.

17. If you could change one thing about Hoi An, what would it be?

Less than soulless tourist cafes and more preservation of family businesses and local traditions.

19. If you had to describe Hoi An in one sentence, which one would you choose?

A unique blend of culture, nature and the sweetness of life, where time seems to stand still.