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| Heading to the lagoon |
Enjoying the cool breeze
After less than half an hour riding from Thuan Hoa Ward, Truong Minh Ngoc arrived at Dam Chuon in My Thuong Ward. Although the afternoon sun was still intense, the strong breeze blowing across the water seemed to dissolve the summer heat. Ngoc shared: “Every summer, it has almost become a habit for my family to go to Dam Chuon. There’s no need to travel far. Just sitting here for a while, listening to the wind and looking out over the water already makes us feel relaxed. On especially hot days, we even come here early in the morning to enjoy the cool air and taste lagoon specialties. It’s truly a gentle and relaxing way to escape the heat”.
In recent years, the Tam Giang - Cau Hai Lagoon has gradually become a familiar summer destination. From early morning until late afternoon, groups of visitors continue arriving to enjoy the open and refreshing atmosphere.
Nguyen Thi Phuong from Thuy Xuan Ward said: “Whenever I have free time, I invite my friends to go to the lagoon to enjoy the breeze, especially on hot sunny days. The wind here is cool, and the open space is large, so we never feel suffocated. When friends from other places visit Hue, I also bring them here to introduce them to a very distinctive side of the city. Everyone loves it because they can both admire the scenery and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere. Sometimes just sitting by the water and chatting for a bit already makes the trip worthwhile”.
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| Immerse into the waters of Tam Giang |
More experiences
Beyond the cool breeze, the lagoon also offers many engaging experiences for visitors. Hoai Thong, a tour guide specializing in tours around the Tam Giang – Cau Hai Lagoon system, said: “Every summer, demand from tourists rises noticeably. Many visitors enjoy trying the life of fishermen, catching shellfish with traditional tools, joining fishing boats to pull nets, and grilling seafood on stilt houses”.
Activities such as stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) have also become popular because they are gentle and relaxing while allowing visitors to enjoy the scenery. What surprises many visitors is that the costs for these activities are very affordable, suitable for both groups of young people and families. As a result, the lagoon is not only a place to escape the heat but also an attractive summer experience destination.
Joining an experiential tour at Tam Giang Lagoon, where he traveled by boat through rows of fishing stakes, listening to stories about local livelihoods, and personally trying pulling fishing nets, Tran Dinh Thinh, a visitor from Hanoi, said that the trip brought him many special emotions. “In this moment, I felt both excited and thrilled, as if I had truly become a real fisherman,” he shared.
After pulling in the nets, he was immediately able to enjoy the freshly caught seafood. Without complicated preparation, the fish and shrimp were grilled directly on the boat. Sitting beside the water, eating while enjoying the breeze, the rustic and simple yet flavorful experience has won over many visitors.
Currently, experiential tourism services on the lagoon, operated directly by local fishermen, are concentrated in areas such as Ngu My Thanh in Dan Dien Commune, Chuon lagoon, and Lap An lagoon in Chan May - Lang Co Commune. Through community tourism models, local residents not only preserve their traditional occupations but also become “tour guides”, leading visitors taking part in activities such as pulling fishing nets, fishing, and catching shellfish, … all are particularly attractive during the summer season.
Tran Van Son, a fisherman who has long been connected with the Tam Giang – Cau Hai Lagoon, said: “In summer, more visitors come here, especially during prolonged hot weather when everyone wants to find somewhere cool, hence, the lagoon is always lively. Thanks to that, my family earns additional income from taking visitors on tours, guiding them through fishing experiences, and grilling seafood directly on the lagoon. Continuing our fishing work while earning extra income is how fishermen like us can remain attached to the lagoon and preserve our traditional livelihood passed down from our ancestors”.