On a summer’s day, I had the pleasure of meeting a tour guide who was taking visitors on a journey to discover the beauty of “Tam Giang Waves and Water.” Amidst the vast waves and water, the beautiful Hue local gently introduced guests to the charm of the Tam Giang-Cau Hai lagoon.
The peaceful beauty of Tam Giang lagoon.
Aboard a boat, the visitors drifted on the Tam Giang waters, passing through Ngu My Thanh fishing village (in Quang Loi commune, Quang Dien district, Thua Thien Hue province). Everyone marveled at the pristine, serene natural beauty.
Immersing themselves in the pristine, breathtaking landscape of Tam Giang lagoon, the guests had the opportunity to explore the mangrove forest, where numerous sour banyan trees grew closely together, creating a lush green canopy for them to rest under.
In the midst of this green oasis, on a scorching summer day, the group enjoyed delicious ‘banh loc’ (a local delicacy made of tapioca and shrimp) and fresh fruits. They then moved on to the ‘nha cho’ (stilt houses) area to try their hand at crab fishing. Soaking in the cool water, they directly experienced this fun activity, feeling ecstatic as they successfully stepped on and caught crabs with their feet.
The rewards of crab fishing.
Back on the boat, the guests joined the fishermen in casting nets. The result was a bounty of fresh fish from the lagoon, which they then grilled and savored right there on the boat.
As the sun set, a brilliant red sun appeared on the horizon. The guests paddled on SUP boards to admire the breathtaking sunset over the lagoon. This sunset, harmonizing with the water and mountains, created a captivating natural painting.
During their exploration of Tam Giang lagoon, the visitors also witnessed a floating market and the daily lives of the locals living by the lagoon. Chatting with the residents, the guests gained a deeper understanding of the local culture and way of life.
“The time spent at Tam Giang lagoon offered me a completely new and unique experience in the land of Hue. I felt immersed in the simple beauty of peaceful life in the lagoon, surrounded by the sincere local people. My sister and I got to try so many things that are not commonly found elsewhere. Tam Giang lagoon is truly stunning,” shared Ms. Ngoc Tien.
With a length of 68km and a total water surface area of 216 km2, the Tam Giang-Cau Hai lagoon system spans across multiple districts and Hue city. This largest lagoon system in Southeast Asia has captivated many travelers, especially at Chuon lagoon, Ru Cha, and Ngu My Thanh village…
A BBQ feast on the lagoon.
According to the Thua Thien Hue Department of Tourism, about 7,000 hectares of the Tam Giang-Cau Hai lagoon are currently being utilized for eco-tours, community tourism, and other tourism services. Some localities in the lagoon area have effectively harnessed this potential to develop tourism services.
In recent years, the Tam Giang Quang Loi Community Tourism Cooperative has organized various tours and itineraries, including net casting, net throwing, crab fishing, lagoon seafood tasting, and visits to vegetable villages and weaving crafts. These experiences have left memorable impressions on visitors during their exploration of the ancient capital.
Learning about the daily lives of the locals.
In addition to Ngu My Thanh, there is also Chuon lagoon (in Phu Vang district), which offers boat rides to explore the natural beauty and enjoy dishes made from brackish water fish and shrimp. Visitors can also head to Ru Cha (in Hue city) to immerse themselves in the vast natural landscape and capture memorable moments amidst the ‘cha’ forest. A stopover at the only remaining primary forest on Tam Giang lagoon offers a soothing experience, allowing one to admire the rich ecosystem and witness the unique sight of crabs scurrying on the ground, reminiscent of the Mekong Delta region.
**Harnessing the Advantages of the Lagoon Region**
Blessed with a unique natural endowment, the local government has implemented and continues to devise solutions to maximize the value of the lagoon area. Currently, the Tam Giang-Cau Hai lagoon region is leveraging its advantages, combining coastal and lagoon features with the imperial city of Hue to develop comprehensive eco-tourism, cultural tourism, and beach tourism. High-quality tourism products and services are being created, such as the formation of resort areas, community tourism, and cultural tourism…
For eco-tourism and beach resorts, distinctive destinations are taking shape in Quang An, Thuan An, and eco-tourism sites in the western mountainous area of Lap An lagoon, as well as the Son Cha – Hai Van Island Eco-Tourism and Conservation Area… all intertwined with the lagoon landscape and traditional culture of the local community. Additionally, eco-tourism routes and sites are being developed in tandem with nature conservation, biodiversity, and environmental protection at the Tam Giang-Cau Hai Nature Reserve, with a focus on the Au Lau and Con Te – Ru Cha subdivisions.
In terms of cultural tourism, community tourism, and craft village tourism, the region is promoting festival-related tourism products like ‘vat Thu Le,’ ‘vat lang Sinh,’ and ‘ho Ba Trao.’ New festivals, such as ‘Cho que ngay hoi’ and ‘Song nuoc Tam Giang,’ are also being effectively organized. Religious and spiritual tourism, based on cultural, architectural, and faith values, are increasingly attracting visitors.
Furthermore, tourism products associated with craft villages are gradually developing and improving, including Thanh Tien paper flowers, Bao La weaving, Thanh Trung vegetable village, and My Thanh vegetable village…
Tourists visiting Tam Giang lagoon.
“Despite being a unique and highly competitive destination in Thua Thien Hue province, the Tam Giang-Cau Hai lagoon region has not yet fully exploited its potential and strengths. As the lagoon system spans across multiple localities, there needs to be synchronization in management and tourism development. While the tourism environment in the lagoon region has improved significantly, there are still some limitations. Promotion and advertising efforts, as well as linkages in tourism activities, need to be strengthened. The tourism products lack diversity, and tourism development remains scattered and small-scale…,” shared Mr. Nguyen Van Phuc, Director of Thua Thien Hue Department of Tourism.
To “awaken” this potential, Thua Thien Hue has issued a decision approving the framework for the project “Developing the Socio-Economic Region of Tam Giang-Cau Hai Lagoon by 2030” with multiple objectives, including making tourism a leading economic sector.
The Tam Giang-Cau Hai lagoon system includes Tam Giang lagoon, Thuy Tu lagoon, and Cau Hai lagoon.
Witnessing the magic of nature at Tam Giang lagoon.
When visiting Tam Giang lagoon, one often hears the enchanting tale of a beautiful mermaid with a captivating singing voice, luring sailors to their fate. If we liken the serene beauty of Tam Giang lagoon to this mermaid, then it is as if the lagoon hasn’t yet sung its full song. While it is undoubtedly stunning, there is untapped potential, and more robust and large-scale investment is needed for this mermaid to truly serenade us with her enchanting voice…
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