Poetic experience in Tra Que vegetable village

Located on the peaceful Co Co River, about 3km northeast of Hoi An city ( Quang Nam ), a lush green vegetable village named Tra Que has been recognized by the United Nations Tourism Organization (UN Tourism) as "The best tourist village in the world".

Panoramic view of Tra Que Village. (Source: Travel Hoang Chau)

It is no coincidence that Tra Que vegetable village is the only representative of Vietnam to receive this prestigious award in 2024. With an area of up to 40 hectares, immersing yourself in the peaceful scenery, fresh nature and exploring local culture and cuisine are poetic experiences for most domestic and international tourists when coming here.

Model agricultural destination

Amidst the hustle and bustle of modern life, returning to village life and becoming a Tra Que farmer is an experience that many people are seeking.

Coming to this famous village, visitors can do the work of preparing the land, sowing seeds, planting vegetables, watering, fertilizing and taking care of plants under the guidance of experienced farmers.

If you are a foodie, you can learn to cook with the locals with detailed instructions on how to pick, prepare and cook dishes from the vegetables grown here.

Tra Que vegetable village currently has more than 20 types of vegetables grown using traditional organic methods, using seaweed as natural fertilizer. Tra Que vegetables are easily recognizable by the spicy taste of shallots, the spicy taste of basil, Vietnamese coriander, the sweetness of bean sprouts...

Those flavors remain in Hoi An specialties such as Tam Huu, Quang noodles, Cao Lau. Tra Que vegetable pancakes and Tra Que spring rolls are also attractive options, helping visitors fully explore the unique flavors of the vegetable village.

Besides experiencing agriculture and cuisine, visitors can participate in relaxing activities such as cycling around the village, exploring the beauty of Hoi An countryside, bringing a sense of relaxation, completely different from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Mr. Nguyen Len, a vegetable garden owner in the village, said that in recent years, the number of visitors to the village to experience the village has increased, mostly from Western countries. They bring their families to experience growing vegetables on prepared soil, carrying watering cans, etc. and happily share the work with the villagers.

International visitors enjoy the experience at the vegetable village. (Source: Travel Hoang Chau)

Celebrating local heritage

Tra Que vegetable village has a history of more than 300 years. Locals say that in the beginning, the village grew many types of herbs, including a type of vegetable called Nhu Que, which has a strong cinnamon scent. In the 19th century, King Gia Long had the opportunity to visit and enjoy the vegetables here and was so impressed by the flavor of the vegetables that he named the village Tra Que and has used it to this day.

From 2022, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism will sign a decision to recognize Tra Que vegetable growing as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage in the category of “Folk knowledge, traditional crafts”. This is the pride of Tra Que people, opening up opportunities for tourism development associated with traditional craft villages.

Coming to Tra Que vegetable village in January, visitors have the opportunity to participate in the Cau Bong festival held by the locals to give thanks to the land and pray for a good harvest year. The festival is imbued with traditional cultural values and is also an opportunity for visitors to learn about the spiritual beliefs of the vegetable village people, attractive folk games and cooking competitions.

In the offering tray to the ancestors who reclaimed the land, founded the village and established the vegetable growing profession in Tra Que, in addition to the boiled young rooster placed in the middle of the tray, with a rose in its mouth, there must be Tam Huu dish. This is a unique dish of Tra Que vegetable village whose name is on the map of Hoi An port city.

Tam Huu is simply called a dish with three main ingredients: a stir-fried freshwater shrimp, a slice of boiled pork and a stalk of basil tied around with Tra Que onion leaves that has a very special, unmistakable aroma.

The Tam Huu dish is especially delicious, delicate and attractive, made with Tra Que green vegetables that anyone who comes to Quang Nam should enjoy. The dish carries a humane and meaningful message, the three ingredients of the dish are like three soul mates, confidants in life.

Therefore, when coming to Tra Que, farmers here often bring this dish to entertain guests, both to be proud of the pure green vegetable specialty and to talk about the warm and affectionate humanity.

Cau Bong Festival is held by Tra Que people in January. (Source: Tra Que Vegetable Village)

New inspiration for rural tourism

The title of “Best Tourist Village” from UN Tourism is a worthy reward for the efforts to adapt and renew the destination of Tra Que vegetable village.

According to Mr. Nguyen Thanh Hong, Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Quang Nam, the title shows the recognition of the efforts of the people in preserving indigenous cultural values, traditional crafts as well as long-standing lifestyles and practices. The award recognizes the creativity and focus on developing sustainable, community-based tourism; demonstrating the kindness and hospitality of the people.

In order to promote the brand and build the best tourism space to serve tourists, Hoi An City People's Committee has approved the Outline of the task of building a tour route in Cu Lao Cham - Tra Que Vegetable Village - Pottery Village.

Thanh Ha. Accordingly, Hoi An aims for 100% of homestay and villa businesses in Tra Que vegetable village to be recognized as meeting green tourism standards according to the Quang Nam Green Tourism Criteria; 50% of restaurant businesses and cooking schools to practice green tourism. The locality supports and guides people and businesses to practice green tourism at homestay, villa, restaurant and cooking school businesses, and communicates about the green tour route to Tra Que vegetable village.

Tourists visit and take photos at the vegetable garden. (Photo: Tuyet Van)

According to Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Ho An Phong, being honored as the Best Tourist Village does not mean that Tra Que is a perfect tourist village. Being included in this network will help Tra Que have more references to continue to improve and develop sustainably according to world standards.

Besides the joy of the title, Mr. Le Van Nhe, a local resident, said that what Tra Que village really needs from the authorities is support to preserve and promote internal strength for the craft village to survive. In particular, the issue of environmental protection, specifically preserving the purity of underground water, is of great concern.

According to the people, the local government needs to have a solution to strictly manage the discharge of waste from social and civil activities, especially from restaurants surrounding the village. Because the water source is the source of the characteristic flavor that has become the trademark of Tra Que vegetables.

Currently, the project “Swiss Tourism for Sustainable Development in Vietnam” has also chosen Tra Que as a destination to support the development of agricultural tourism products and innovative initiatives. The effect of the “Best Tourist Village” awarded by UN Tourism for Tra Que will spread inspiration for other rural tourist destinations in Quang Nam and the whole country in general to develop together.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/trai-nghiem-thi-vi-o-lang-rau-tra-que-301862.html