Tam Giang Lagoon: a place for explorers of indigenous culture
07:56 27/02/2009

    17: 18' 20/06/2008 (GMT+7)

Tam Giang Lagoon is where three rivers - Huong, Bo and O Lau - meet before they flow into the sea through Thuan An estuary in the central province of Thua Thien-Hue.

Tourists trek to Ru Cha mangrove forest in Tam Giang Lagoon.

Many traditional craft villages along the three rivers, natural beauty and nearby mangrove forests have made the lagoon a popular destination for tourists.

Sailing down the Huong River from Thuan An estuary, tourists can visit Dia Linh Hamlet in Huong Vinh Commune, where the craft of wood carving is still preserved.

Thuy Tu Village consolidated by the silt of the Bo river and characterized by the red-roofed houses is recommended as the next stop. The villagers earn a living by making tiles.

An Thuan Village is also worth visiting. There, tourists can learn more about the process of making green rice flakes with the added hot and tasty flavors of ginger, sesame and peanuts.

Thin fishing boats in the transparent water and the fishing nets here and there add beauty to the lagoon.

Tourists could tour Thai Duong Ha fishing village where locals still preserve their traditional lifestyle, rituals and festivities like Cau Ngu (a festival in which fishermen pray for the best catch) and the burial of the whale.

Ru Cha is a very rare primitive mangrove forest in the lagoon, just opposite Thai Duong Ha Village, in Thuan Hoa Hamlet in Huong Phong Commune.

Ru Cha was mostly leveled during the war but now the five-hectare area is well restored and protected. Tourists can spend some time trekking this wetland reserve through the short Cha trees with big roots.

Many small caves which small crab use as shelter can be found at the roots of these trees. Be careful when approaching the trees whose resin makes your skin a little bit itchy but the leaves of Mop trees nearby are good for rubbing away the itch caused by Cha resin.

For sight-seeing in Tam Giang Lagoon, tourists can contact Abalone Resort & Spa, Thuan An Town, Phu Vang District, Thua Thien-Hue Province, tel: (054) 856 967, fax: (054) 866 033, email: information®abaloneresorthue.com, website: www.abaloneresorthue.com.

Source : vietnameasytravel.com