The Market Place (this is a mess of open air tables and stalls and baskets on the ground in the middle of Hoi An) is always crowded and colourful. For sure. But we were warned by several of the locals not to go there at all. They said it was not safe and one said that she lives in Hoi An and she doesn't go there.
To back this up, while we were there another Australian in our hotel had a nasty experience. She was walking alone in the Market when a motorbike came along and snatched at her bag held over her shoulder. She went down, they didn't get that bag but they did get the other one in her hand - with her cameras, jewellery, cash and cards. She broke her collar bone and chipped her knee.
To make it worse, the local police, who have been charged with cleaning up this problem, would not believe her (she took a local shopkeeper as a translator and the police started to yell at the local "why are you helping her, she's lying.." which was a bit awkward as the translator had to live there). The police would not provide her with a report for her insurance company. They kept saying it wouldn't be anyone from Hoi An.
Eventually she was evacuated by her insurance company.
Another couple had their wallets stolen by pickpockets in the Market - we were in Hoi An four days.
So be alert and aware, if you go into the markets...there are probably no bargains there for tourists, but it is interesting.
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on Jan 3, 2007
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