Buzz
First-time visitors to Triem Tay tourism spot (Dien Ban town, Quang Nam) are pleasantly surprised as, at the end of the Thu River, right next to the ancient town of Hoi An, there is an attractive rural tourism destination.
Triem Tay - From Landslide-Affected Area to Countryside Tourism Hotspot
Mr. Nguyen Hien, the director of the Triem Tay Community Tourism Cooperative, mentioned that not long ago, Triem Tay was a land constantly shrinking with each flood season. Whenever the water came, people would seek shelter fearing landslides.
“Before this tourism spot existed, many Triem Tay residents had left their homeland in search of a living. Besides the fear of landslides, the small plots of land were not enough to provide a comfortable life for the villagers. None of them ever thought that the village would undergo such a transformation,” said Mr. Hien.
Rural-themed Tourism Destination
The Cẩm Kim Bridge, recently connecting both riverbanks, has brought a newfound vibrancy to Triem Tay village in just a few months. Beyond the bridge, turning right, the figures of people returning to the village are imprinted on the constantly moving water, stirred by the river boats.
Wandering through the small hamlets, following pathways inevitably leads to the head of the village. This piece of land is now a garden tourism spot referred to by the locals as the 'brain' of the Triem Tay community tourism village.
Making an immediate impression on first-time visitors are the green pathways that gracefully curve along rows of ancient-looking areca palm trees.
On either side of the road, rows of meticulously trimmed green tea fences present a beautiful and neat sight, causing one to forget the bustling Hoi An, filled with visitors from all corners of the globe.
Perhaps only in this community tourism village, you find small alleys barely wide enough for two people to walk side by side, each adorned with a street sign indicating the head of the village.
In addition to relishing the serene rural atmosphere, tourists visiting Triem Tay can also explore traditional mat weaving, learn the art of making Quang noodles, tend to bonsai trees, engage in organic vegetable farming, or visit the two ancient houses of the Võ Thị and Võ Đại lineages, nearly 300 years old.
In 2014, UNESCO and the International Labor Organization (ILO) collaborated with Dien Ban district to organize training for locals to enhance their English proficiency, aiming to become global citizens.
The essential skills for community-based tourism development, waste management methods, and household waste disposal have been diligently imparted by these organizations to the villagers for nearly two years.
Ms. Pham Thi Khanh (58 years old), who weaves traditional mats, shared that skilled individuals in the village, like her, have gained proficiency in English through these training sessions.
Previously, Mrs. Khanh used to weave mats while her husband rowed across the river to Hoi An to sell them. They would then return to Duy Vinh commune (Duy Xuyen) to obtain materials, leading to an unstable income.
“Nowadays, Western tourists visit frequently. When they see me weaving, they come into the house to interact. They stroll around, observing my way of life, how I raise chickens and ducks. Those who are delighted take pictures, and those who are interested purchase mats to support us. Since the establishment of the tourism cooperative, my husband also works there, eliminating the need to cross the river early in the morning or late at night as we used to” – Mrs. Khanh explained.
Preserving the village with an eco-friendly embankment
Mr. Duong Phu Thu, a resident of Zone 3, revealed that around 2009, when the erosion threat loomed close to their home, his family considered packing their belongings to move to another village and build a new house.
So, when he heard about someone wanting to lease land here for tourism, he was skeptical. However, after the implementation of this project, everything in Triem Tay has completely transformed.
According to Mr. Thu, the person credited with turning the 'ghostly swamp' into a community tourism attraction is the architect Bui Kien Quoc (72 years old, French-Vietnamese), currently residing in Hoi An city.
Guiding visitors under the cool shade of bamboo, Mr. Bui Kien Quoc mentioned that from his first visit to this village, captivated by the picturesque scenery and the authentic rural atmosphere just across the river from Hoi An, he decided to invest in the tourism project.
“The biggest challenge is preserving the land here without disrupting the surrounding landscape, especially avoiding the concrete embankments that lead to erosion on one side and sedimentation on the other, affecting the adjacent areas” – Mr. Quoc explained.
Before embarking on the project, Mr. Quoc surveyed the village and sought opinions. However, everyone nodded in agreement, saying that bamboo trees were resilient enough and wouldn't succumb to the water's force.
During the afternoons spent paddling around the village with the locals, he was introduced to various types of reeds and grasses that 'coexist with floods.' Consequently, an eco-friendly embankment solution was designed, featuring three tiers of embankments – three layers protecting the front part as a bamboo village embankment – took shape.
In this design, the first tier is composed of reeds, plants with water-resistant roots, ensuring the land is held at a depth of about 1m for them to anchor. The second tier involves planting vetiver grass with sturdy root systems to secure the soil and reduce the impact on the embankment.
The third tier, reaching about 3m deep, consists of vetiver grass, renowned for its unbeatable ability to anchor and prevent erosion, creating a green carpet at the head of the village.
To date, this stepped eco-embankment design has withstood over four challenging seasons without any 'erosion on one side and sedimentation on the other' issues, unlike what occurred with resorts along Cua Dai Beach, Hoi An.
“Since the establishment of this embankment, the government no longer needs to invest in preventing erosion, and the people of Triem Tay not only retain their land but also gain additional income with stable employment opportunities” – Mr. Quoc affirmed.
Ending the saga of homeland distress
Mr. Duong Van Ca, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Dien Phuong commune, admits that even in his wildest dreams, he wouldn't have dared to imagine Triem Tay transforming as it has today. Instead of the previous trend of flocking to Hoi An for livelihoods, Triem Tay is now attracting workers from elsewhere due to its status as the most promising tourism hub in the entire district.
By Truong Trung/Tuoi Tre News
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Reference: Travel Guide Mytour
MytourFebruary 14, 2017
