Sunset-seeing on Tam Giang Lagoon
"Sunset on the Tam Giang lagoon" is a new community tour launched in early August by the Eagle Advertising Media and Travel Joint Stock Company (Eagle Tourist) in collaboration with the community of Ngu My Thanh village (Quang Loi commune, Quang Dien district). The destination is in the middle of the Tam Giang lagoon, covering an area of about 1,000m² of water. Ms. Tran Thi Ai Thi, a tour operator of Eagle Tourist said: "Currently, the ecological tours and community tours are developing quite strongly. The construction of sunset viewpoints on the lagoon, waterparks, allowing tourists to experience the life and work of fishermen in Ngu My Thanh partly meet the needs of visitors who come to visit and stay in the area."
Before that, the tour stops at Bao La Bamboo and Rattan Cooperative (Quang Phu commune, Quang Dien district). Visitors can observe the unique bamboo and rattan products and experience the steps to turn raw materials into art products (lanterns, household items) through the skillful hands of the artisans. Ms. Tran Thi Phuong from Hue University of Agriculture and Forestry shared: "Even though I am a child of Hue, I still enjoy the experience of this tour. I took my daughter along and visited the handicraft production site for the first time, and she was very excited to be able to see it with her own eyes."
The next stop is Ngu My Thanh Exhibit House with 100 seafood samples. Tourists can hear stories from local people about the richness of the lagoon, the "offerings to the king" specialties of this place. After leaving the exhibit house, the tour continue by boat to Vung Me spawning ground - where fish species gathered for breeding. Fishing activities are completely prohibited in this area of 40ha of surface water. Then, visitors can learn how the local people here protect their fishery resources.
Continuing on the river to the fish corral area, tourists find themselves in the fishing "matrices" with a very elaborate arrangement. They are invited to join in the collection of catches (harvesting of the lagoon seafood) along with local people. Mr. Dang Minh Duy, a visitor from Da Nang, said: "The tour is very interesting. What I like most is the natural primitiveness of this place; as well as watching the fishermen collect fish and shrimp from their nets and traps.
Situated in the midst of the vast lagoon, Epark - Tam Giang Lagoon offers basic facilities such as a cool bath area, an entertainment area with available equipments and a dressing room system built entirely from natural materials. Other than enjoying the scenery of Tam Giang, visitors can also swim and float on the lagoon system; play in cool water; become a fisherman with games like hunting scallops, in which clever participants can take home from 2 to 5kg of scallops as gifts.
In the tour, the local villagers will also act as guides to introduce the local cultures and customs to visitors and welcome homestay guests if required. Mr. Nguyen Nhan (Ngu My Thanh Village, Quang Loi Commune, Quang Dien District) said: "Some villagers catch the specimens of the lagoon organisms and send them to the display house. Other fishermen and I will introduce the lagoon features to the guests, take them to the fishing spots, and then present them the harvested fish and shrimp. We also show them how to hunt for scallops, demonstrate our technique of casting the fishing net at sunset, and ensure safety for people swimming in the lagoon. The jobs associated with the water is not only the love of our fishermen, but they also bring us a stable source of income."
In order to protect the environment, Epark - Tam Giang Lagoon do not serve party. At 6 p.m., the tour will move to Con Toc restaurant to enjoy specialties of the lagoon.
Mr. Ha Binh, Quang Loi Commune Cultural Officer, Quang Dien District shared: "In 2010, the community-based tourism services started in Ngu My Thanh, but they were still quite limited. Since August of this year, the ‘Sunset on Tam Giang Lagoon’ tour has become a highlight for the lagoon, which contributes to creating jobs, improving people's lives, and improving attractiveness of the local tourism."
By Phuoc Ly