Down along Tam Giang Lagoon

The three rivers O Lau, Bo, and Huong merge into a vast brackish water area of ​​approximately 22,000 hectares – this is Tam Giang Lagoon. From April to August each year is the best time to plan a trip to this famous lagoon in Hue .

As the largest lagoon in Southeast Asia, Tam Giang Lagoon ( Thua Thien Hue province) is currently the "mother's milk" that sustains nearly 100,000 local residents who make their living from fishing. From a once fearsome and dangerous area, as described in the Thua Thien Hue Gazetteer: "Fear of the Ho Dynasty's wilderness, fear of Tam Giang Lagoon," this land has undergone many changes, vividly described in the Thua Thien Hue Gazetteer as "...one of the few territories in our country with diverse, unique, attractive, and poetic natural and man-made landscapes..."

Drifting along the Tam Giang Lagoon, it's not difficult to encounter the people of the waterways, also known as the boat dwellers, making their living by sailing up and down the river. They are the ones who follow the fish; because their profession is fishing, they follow wherever there are fish. The people living in the lagoon area are partly indigenous residents and partly migrants from other places, comprising diverse backgrounds. Historically, before the reign of Emperor Tự Đức (1829-1883), a segment of the people living in the Tam Giang Lagoon were not highly regarded or recognized by society. Until there was a man named Hoang Huu Thuong (1837 – 1888) – a fisherman who received an education, later became a successful doctor, and held positions such as Minister of Public Works and Minister of War. Because he came from a fishing family and understood the lives of the fishermen, he requested the court to organize the fishermen into a district called Vong Nhi, consisting of 13 villages on the water of the Tam Giang lagoon. Since then, the floating village community, recognized by society, has created a vibrant picture of the lagoon area that continues to this day.

Exploring the lagoon area now, it's best to start early to catch the sunrise. As the fiery red sun rises on the horizon, the boats of the local fishermen return to the harbor in Ngu My Thanh village, Quang Dien district, after a night of fishing. Their catch is then sold at the bustling fish market. This place retains its pristine, unchanged charm. Shrimp, crabs, gobies, carp… all specialties of the Tam Giang lagoon, spread from this early morning market to the surrounding residents.

Heritage Magazine

Source: https://www.facebook.com/search/top/?q=ph%C3%A1%20tam%20giang%20heritage