Marine heritage and sustainable tourism potential

Nam O Rock Reef, located in Lien Chieu District, Da Nang City, not only possesses pristine natural landscapes but also contains cultural values ​​typical of the coastal village community. This is a destination with great potential for developing ecological and cultural tourism, which needs to be preserved and exploited sustainably.

Cultural space of coastal residents

After 5am, I was at Nam O reef, with the sound of the waves and the clattering of the oars, bringing the fishermen back to shore. Mr. Bui Bon, who has spent his whole life with the sea, shared: "When the tide changes and the fish are near the reef, you have to go early". Some days, he leaves at midnight if he has a feeling that there will be a lot of fish in the sea that day, an intuition that has been forged through years of being attached to the sea.

Ms. Chu Thi Mui buys fish from a basket boat and sells it right on the beach.

On the shore, Mrs. Chu Thi Mui, a long-time trader, quickly selected fish while keeping her eyes on the sea, sharing: "Buy and sell immediately on the beach or bring to the market, must be fast to keep the freshness". It is this simple pace of life that has nurtured many generations of fishermen under the shadow of Nam O rapids.

Leaving the bustling atmosphere of the fishing ground early in the day, following the small path as the locals instructed to gradually move towards the reef, where the rocky cliffs jut out into the open sea. The small path leads through dense, towering tree arches, then suddenly opens up to a space of majestic rocky reefs in the middle of the blue sea. Several groups of tourists and locals gather to grill their food on flat rocks. The sound of waves, the crackling of charcoal and laughter create a peaceful scene of the fishing village.

From the reef, you can see the Hai Van range in the distance, and to the east is the Son Tra peninsula undulating on the sea surface. Under the waves, white foam splashes around tiny creatures such as mussels and crabs, clinging tightly to the rocks. They are a sustainable source of livelihood for many families, especially during the stormy season when they cannot go out to sea.

The reef at the foot of the waves is home to many species of seafood, a source of livelihood for local people during rough seas.

Behind that natural beauty lies a profound cultural community. According to Mr. Dang Dung, 77 years old, who has spent many years researching Nam O village, when he was young, young people often went to the rocky cliffs to hang hammocks to read books and watch the sea. For him, this place is not only a place to make a living, but also a space associated with legends, beliefs and community memories.

Along the trail to the rapids, there are still many small temples such as Ba Temple and Ong Goc Temple, where people place their faith and pray for peace and good harvest. "It may not be fully explained in terms of history, but it is a part of the memory deeply imprinted in the spiritual life of many generations," said Mr. Dung.

According to him, the reef not only has landscape value but also acts as a natural breakwater, helping the fishing village avoid many storms. With the terrain of the sea in front and the river behind, near the mouth of the Cu De River, people both go out to sea and exploit products from the reef. On stormy days, they return to the reef to catch mussels, snails, crabs, and make seaweed jam. “Some people earn tens of millions just from the seaweed season. That income helps them get through the winter and wait for Tet.

However, the ecosystem here has been clearly declining. “Previously, the reef was full of algae, coral, seasonal fish and shrimp…, now many sections are just bare rocks” - Mr. Dang Dung shared.

Sustainable directions for local tourism

Nam O Reef becomes more special every moss season, usually from late winter to early spring. When the tide recedes, the rocks are exposed, covered with lush green moss, creating a scene that is both vivid and magical. This year, the moss was still thick until mid-May, which is also when I met many young people coming to “hunt for photos”.

The fresh air and peaceful scenery make this place an ideal weekend destination. "I like the coolness and quietness here, and I will definitely come back with my family" - Nguyen Hoai Nam, a tourist from Hung Yen shared. The moss on the rock reefs grows thick like velvet, green as jade. It is also the foundation for beautiful photos that tourists want when coming to Nam O.

In fact, Nam O Reef has been under pressure from development: ecosystem decline, marine environment pollution, and shrinking community space. Therefore, it is necessary to harmonize conservation and development, raise community awareness, and orient people to become subjects participating, enjoying, and preserving cultural, historical, and ecological values.

Nam O village is located close to the sea, in the distance is Nam O rocky cliff, where nature and fishing village blend.

Discussing the orientation of people's livelihood and tourism development, Ms. Mai Thuy Thuy Trang, Head of the Department of Culture and Information of Lien Chieu District, said: Nam O Rock Reef is one of eight key products of the Nam O Community Tourism Development Project, approved by the People's Committee of Da Nang City in 2020.

Products that are being focused on and gradually formed include: experiencing sunrise and sunset by basket boat, visiting relics, craft villages, snail museums, taking photos at the rapids, staying at local houses, walking to explore moss reefs. In the future, the rapids area will form an ecological park and a southern square, preserving the natural forest status, combining amenities such as walking paths, viewing platforms, resting huts, etc. Both creating a community space and protecting the natural landscape.

From a tourism management perspective, Mr. Tan Van Vuong, Deputy Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Da Nang City, said: “The direction is to develop Nam O rocky reef into a sustainable destination, exploiting local values ​​without destroying the landscape. At the same time, the Department is studying policies to support people in developing handicraft products with the identity of Nam O, so that people can both benefit and preserve the heritage.”

From a reef next to an ancient fishing village, Nam O is opening up new development opportunities, if properly oriented and preserved. Development associated with conservation is a necessary choice to go further, more firmly, on the foundation of sustainable values ​​of the local community. This is not only a way to preserve identity, but also a long-term path to building a harmonious, humane and effective community tourism model, bringing dual benefits to the natural environment, culture and life of Nam O people.

DO NGOC XIEM

Source: https://nhandan.vn/di-san-bien-ca-va-tiem-nang-du-lich-ben-vung-post886063.html