Dam Chuon Lagoon in Hue, a hidden gem within the vast Tam Giang lagoon system, has long been a captivating destination for travelers. It attracts visitors with its untouched, serene beauty and unique fishing village culture. This place not only enchants with its poetic and picturesque natural scenery but also with immersive experiences into the local life, distinctive lagoon cuisine, and the exploration of long-standing traditional cultural values. If you are seeking a novel destination, different from the bustling tourist spots, Dam Chuon is the perfect choice for you. Let “Traveling the World” guide you through a detailed exploration of this fascinating destination and equip you with the most helpful Dam Chuon Hue travel tips!
Dam Chuon Lagoon – A Hidden Gem of the Tam Giang Lagoon
Dam Chuon, also known as Cau Hai Lagoon, is part of the Tam Giang – Cau Hai lagoon system, the largest brackish water lagoon system in Southeast Asia. Nestled beside An Truyen village, Phu An commune, Phu Vang district, Thua Thien Hue province, Dam Chuon embodies a tranquil and peaceful beauty, a stark contrast to the hustle and bustle of urban life. With a vast water surface area of nearly 100 hectares, Dam Chuon appears as a giant watercolor painting, dotted with unique stilt houses, small bamboo boats, and the characteristic fishing gears of the lagoon area.
The beauty of Dam Chuon stems not only from its natural landscape but also from the harmony between people and nature here. The lives of the fishing villagers are deeply intertwined with the lagoon waters, from aquaculture and fishing to building unique stilt houses on the water. Visiting Dam Chuon offers you not only the chance to admire the scenery but also the opportunity to learn about the life, culture, and distinctive daily activities of the fishing community in the lagoon area.
Journey to Discover Dam Chuon – Authentic Fishing Village Life Experiences
Getting to Dam Chuon
Dam Chuon is only about 12km from the city center of Hue, with quite convenient transportation. You can easily get here by various means:
- Motorbike: This is a popular choice for many tourists due to its flexibility and time autonomy. You can rent a motorbike in Hue and freely explore Dam Chuon and nearby locations. The route to Dam Chuon is quite straightforward; you can follow Google Maps or ask locals for detailed directions.
- Car: If you are traveling in a large group or prefer more privacy and comfort, a car is a suitable option. You can hire tourist cars ranging from 4 to 45 seats depending on the size of your group.
- Taxi/Ride-hailing services: This is also a convenient mode of transportation, especially if you are unfamiliar with the roads or do not want to drive yourself. However, the cost may be higher than traveling by motorbike.
Detailed Directions:
From the city center of Hue, you can follow this route: Hoang Hoa Tham -> Le Loi -> Cau Dap Da Bridge -> Nguyen Sinh Cung -> Provincial Road 10A -> National Highway 49B -> Trieu Viet Vuong. Continue on Trieu Viet Vuong street for about 550m, and you will reach Dam Chuon.
Ideal Time to Visit Dam Chuon
Hue’s weather is divided into two distinct seasons: the rainy season (September – March of the following year) and the dry season (April – August). According to Dam Chuon Hue travel experiences, the best time to visit and experience is during the dry season, especially from May to August. At this time, the weather is dry and sunny, ideal for outdoor activities such as sightseeing, photography, and experiencing fishing village life.
Additionally, if you want to experience the traditional festival atmosphere, visit Dam Chuon around the 7th lunar month, when the Chuon Village Ancestor Worship Festival takes place. This is a unique cultural highlight of the locality, attracting many locals and tourists to participate.
Must-Try Activities
In Dam Chuon, you will have countless exciting and memorable experiences:
Watching Sunrise and Sunset on the Lagoon
Sunrise and sunset over Dam Chuon are breathtakingly beautiful moments. As dawn breaks, the fiery red sun gradually rises from the horizon, casting light onto the vast water surface, creating a shimmering, magical scene. Sunset also adorns Dam Chuon with a gentle, romantic beauty, with hues of orange, pink, and purple blending together. Standing amidst the vast space of the lagoon, admiring the stunning natural scenery, you will feel all worries and anxieties vanish.
Boat approaching the shore of Dam Chuon Lagoon
Exploring Stilt Houses and Learning About Aquaculture
Stilt houses are a unique architectural feature of the Dam Chuon area. These are small wooden houses built on stilts over the water, serving as both living and working spaces for fishermen, as well as places for aquaculture and fishing. In Dam Chuon, you can hire a boat to visit these stilt houses, learn about the daily life and work of the fishing villagers. You will witness firsthand the process of raising shrimp, fish, and other seafood, hear interesting stories about this traditional occupation, and feel the sincerity and simplicity of the local people.
Stilt houses on Dam Chuon Lagoon
Experiencing Fishing with Local Fishermen
If you want to experience the life of a real fisherman, try participating in fishing activities on Dam Chuon. You can hire a boat and go out to sea with the fishermen, cast nets, pull traps, and catch shrimp and fish yourself. This is an incredibly fun and unique experience, helping you better understand the hard but joyful work of the fishing villagers. You can prepare and enjoy your catch right on the boat or at floating restaurants on the lagoon.
Experiencing fishing with local fishermen
Visiting An Truyen Village and Hearing Stories of the “Loạn Chày Vôi” Uprising
An Truyen Village, also known as Chuon Village, is an ancient village located right next to Dam Chuon. This village is not only famous for its traditional fish sauce (mam ro) making but also associated with the “Loạn Chày Vôi” uprising led by Doan Huu Trung during the reign of King Tu Duc. Visiting An Truyen village, you can stroll along the tree-lined village paths, admire ancient houses, and learn about the history and culture of the village. You can also visit An Truyen village market to buy local products and enjoy rustic dishes.
An Truyen Village Market
Participating in the Chuon Village Festival (if timed right)
The Chuon Village Ancestor Worship Festival is one of the largest and most unique traditional festivals in Hue. The festival is held on the 15th, 16th, and 17th days of the 7th lunar month every year to commemorate and honor the village tutelary gods, praying for favorable weather, abundant harvests, and a prosperous and happy life. Participating in the festival, you will immerse yourself in the solemn and sacred atmosphere of the palanquin procession, enjoy unique traditional rituals, and admire unique artistic performances.
Enjoying Cuisine on Boats or Floating Restaurants
Dam Chuon cuisine is one of the attractions for visitors. You can experience unique dining on boats floating on the water or at floating restaurants built in the middle of the lagoon. The local specialties here are mainly prepared from fresh seafood caught directly from Dam Chuon, bringing the distinctive flavors of the lagoon area.
Dining on a boat on Dam Chuon Lagoon
Dam Chuon Cuisine – Distinctive Flavors of the Lagoon Area
Visiting Dam Chuon without enjoying the local cuisine means you haven’t truly explored the beauty of this land. Dam Chuon is famous for its fresh seafood and rustic dishes imbued with local flavors. Below are some specialties you definitely must try:
Banh Khoai Ca Kinh (Ca Kinh Pancake)
Banh khoai ca kinh is the most distinctive and famous dish of Dam Chuon. Fresh Ca Kinh fish, caught directly from the lagoon, has firm, sweet, and fragrant meat, combined with the crispy, savory pancake crust, creating a unique, irresistible flavor. Banh khoai ca kinh is usually served with fresh raw vegetables and rich fermented fish sauce (nuoc mam ruoc).
Banh Khoai Ca Kinh – Ca Kinh Pancake
Chao Bot Xat (Hand-Cut Rice Noodle Soup)
Chao bot xat is a rustic, familiar dish of Hue people in general and the Dam Chuon area in particular. The hand-cut rice noodles are soft and chewy, served with a rich, sweet broth from simmered bones and toppings such as shrimp, pork, and fish cakes. Chao bot xat is an ideal dish to enjoy in the morning or cool afternoon.
Bun Nghe Xao Long (Turmeric Noodles with Pork Offal)
Bun nghe xao long is a simple but very appealing dish due to its distinctive aroma and delicious flavor. Fresh vermicelli noodles are stir-fried with fresh turmeric, pork offal, and Vietnamese mint, creating a dish with eye-catching color, rich flavor, and a slight spiciness. Bun nghe xao long is often served as a snack or afternoon meal.
Bun Nghe Xao Long – Turmeric Noodles with Pork Offal
Fresh Seafood and Unique Seafood Dishes
In addition to the specialties mentioned above, Dam Chuon is also famous for fresh seafood such as shrimp, crab, squid, fish, and snails. You can enjoy fresh seafood at floating restaurants on the lagoon or buy it to cook yourself. Seafood dishes are prepared in various ways such as grilling, steaming, stir-frying, and hot pot, offering you diverse and rich culinary experiences.
Fresh seafood at Dam Chuon Lagoon
Buy Dam Chuon Specialties as Gifts
If you want to buy gifts for your loved ones and friends after your Dam Chuon trip, don’t forget famous specialties such as mam ro (fermented fish sauce), mam tom (shrimp paste), mam tep (fermented small shrimp), Banh Tet Lang Chuon (Chuon Village cylindrical sticky rice cake), and Chuon Village wine. These are all typical products of the lagoon area, imbued with the flavor of the homeland, and will surely be meaningful and unique gifts.
Mam Ro – Fermented Fish Sauce
Dam Chuon Hue Travel Tips – Helpful Advice
To make your Dam Chuon trip complete and memorable, keep these helpful tips in mind:
- Preparation:
- Clothing: Choose comfortable, breathable clothing suitable for the weather and outdoor activities. If you intend to participate in water activities or boating, bring swimwear and towels.
- Footwear: Choose low-heeled, flat shoes that are easy to move around on the lagoon terrain.
- Sunscreen, hats, sunglasses: To protect your skin from the sun.
- Insect repellent: To avoid mosquito and insect bites.
- Camera, phone: To capture beautiful and memorable moments during your trip.
- Accommodation: There are not many hotels or guesthouses in Dam Chuon. If you want to stay overnight to fully enjoy the beauty of Dam Chuon, you can choose guesthouses or homestays in the surrounding area or ask to stay overnight at local homes to experience fishing village life.
- Transportation: Motorbike is the most ideal means of transport to explore Dam Chuon and the surrounding areas. You can rent a motorbike in Hue for about VND 120,000 – 150,000/day.
- Dining: Restaurants and eateries in Dam Chuon are reasonably priced. You can enjoy fresh seafood and local specialties at affordable prices.
Traveling to Dam Chuon Lagoon in Hue
Dam Chuon Hue is not only an attractive tourist destination but also a place for you to experience, explore, and immerse yourself in the peaceful life of fishing villagers. With its unspoiled natural beauty, distinctive cuisine, and unique traditional cultural features, Dam Chuon will surely bring you unforgettable memories in your journey to explore the ancient capital. Come and feel the beauty of Dam Chuon in your own way!