(TITC) – Situated at the northern gateway of Nha Trang City, Vinh Luong fishing village appears tranquil and timeless, with sandy boat beaches, crystalline waters, and clusters of small houses that have clung to the shoreline for generations. Once simply a traditional livelihood space for Khanh Hoa’s coastal families, Vinh Luong has evolved into a model destination for agricultural and rural tourism – where visitors can immerse themselves in a rustic, authentic, and deeply cultural seafaring lifestyle.
The Original Fishing Village Landscape – The Foundation of Coastal Rural Tourism
Vinh Luong still preserves the quintessential charm of a fishing village in the homeland of agarwood. Bamboo basket boats lie lazily on the sand, nets in shades of green and red hang out to dry, and the salty scent of the sea mingles with the soft hues of dawn. The soundscape is equally evocative – fishermen calling out to one another as boats return from night fishing.
From 5 a.m., the village comes alive. Basket boats glide ashore with fresh catches of fish, shrimp, and squid. A vibrant shoreline market forms directly on the sand as families sort nets, pick through the morning catch, and begin drying seafood under the sun. Children help their parents with the steady rhythm of coastal life. This vivid, unfiltered daily scene is a “living resource” for rural tourism – raw, lively, and rich with community spirit.
Marine Agricultural Tourism – Experiencing Traditional Cage Farming
Just beyond the shore lies a network of floating fish cages, one of Vinh Luong’s most important marine agricultural models. Wooden rafts sit gently on calm waters where local families raise cobia, pomfret, American red snapper, lobster, and other high-value species. The methods used blend long-standing experience with new, adaptive techniques.
Visitors can reach these rafts by basket boat or canoe. Fishermen introduce each species and guide guests through hands-on activities such as feeding fish, checking nets, cleaning cage frames, and learning about the breeding cycle. On-site seafood meals – grilled fish, steamed squid with ginger, lobster dishes, or simple seafood porridge – offer an unforgettable “farm-to-table” experience on the sea.
This model not only increases the economic value of marine products but also creates a signature tourism activity for Nha Trang.
Preserving Traditional Trades: Shrimp Paste, Dried Seafood, and Net Weaving
Beyond fishing and cage farming, Vinh Luong maintains a range of traditional handicrafts closely tied to coastal life. Villagers still make shrimp paste, fish sauce, and anchovy sauce using age-old fermentation techniques. Sunny-dried squid, yellowstripe scad, and cowfish fill the courtyards, creating iconic scenes of the South Central Coast.
Net weaving and mending – essential skills for any fisherman – remain an important livelihood. Households welcome visitors to observe or try these crafts first-hand: brewing fish sauce, mixing seasonings, turning squid on drying racks, or weaving a few lines of fishing net. These interactions bring genuine cultural value that few places can offer.
Fishing Village Cuisine – The Essence of Marine Agricultural Tourism
Vinh Luong’s cuisine is shaped by marine agriculture and coastal heritage. Signature dishes include mai fish salad, grilled grouper, grilled lobster, steamed squid with ginger, sea urchin porridge, fish cake noodles, seafood pancakes, and homemade fish sauce varieties. All ingredients come directly from the sea, the cages, or village artisans – ensuring a “fresh, authentic, on-site” culinary experience aligned with rural tourism development.
Community Tourism – A New Driver of Rural Livelihoods
Tourism has brought visible transformation to Vinh Luong. Many fishing households now operate small eateries, organize experiential tours, or row basket boats for visitors. Women contribute by cooking and crafting specialty products, while local youth become community guides or provide transport services. Protecting the marine environment has become a communal effort, helping to maintain a clean, safe, and attractive landscape.
A Model with Potential Across Khanh Hoa’s Coastal Communities
With its harmonious blend of marine livelihoods, local culture, agriculture, and tourism services, Vinh Luong stands as a model that can be replicated in other Khanh Hoa coastal communities such as Tri Nguyen, Bich Dam, Vinh Nguyen, Phuoc Dong, and the cage-farming areas of Nha Trang and Van Phong bays.
Vinh Luong fishing village has transformed into a living coastal heritage space – preserving traditions while offering distinctive rural tourism products. It is not only a testament to the livelihoods of Nha Trang’s coastal residents but also a bright example of how coastal agricultural tourism can flourish through authenticity, community effort, and cultural richness.
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