Located in the heart of Nha Phu lagoon, Khanh Hoa, Ha Lien village is a rare destination that still retains the rustic beauty and cultural characteristics of a Vietnamese fishing village. With about 400 years of history, Ha Lien village is like a peaceful landscape painting in the middle of the vast river, carrying within it the authentic life stories of the residents here. Quoc Bao, a freelance photographer from Nha Trang, had the opportunity to visit on an early Sunday morning, when the sunlight just touched the water, dyeing the simple roofs yellow.
Ha Lien village impresses with its adjacent houses with bright red tiled roofs.
Bao shared: “From the moment I entered the village, I felt the peaceful atmosphere and hospitality of the people. They are not only friendly, but also very simple, living close to nature and attached to fishing.”
Indeed, Ha Lien village has a simple life, associated with aquaculture and catching shrimp and crabs. The ponds around the village are not only a source of livelihood but also beautify the landscape here, creating conditions for photographers like Bao to have the opportunity to create unique compositions.
The total residential land area in Ha Lien is about 2 hectares. Currently, the whole village has about 330 households with 1,200 people living there.
A journey to explore Ha Lien cannot be complete without experiencing the village market, a gathering place for people every morning. Bao immersed himself in this rhythm of life, walking around the small stalls selling vegetables, fresh food, and simple breakfast dishes. "The village market is small but has everything you need, and the prices are much cheaper than in the city," he shared. The afternoon market is less bustling but still has its own charm, creating a gentle, simple rhythm of life in the fishing village.
Being surrounded by rivers, almost every house in Ha Lien village has a boat.
He was also particularly impressed with the unique natural landscape of Ha Lien. The village is located right next to Nha Phu lagoon, an area of nearly 1,500 hectares connecting Nha Trang Bay and Van Phong Bay. The lagoon here is considered an ideal place for raising seafood and developing natural ecosystems. Thanks to this prime location, Ha Lien possesses rich aquatic resources and has become a favorite destination for restaurants, tourists and photography enthusiasts.
The road to Ha Lien village has only one way, winding through the aquaculture ponds, giving a “floating” feeling when the whole village is surrounded by water. People use boats as their main means of transportation, and even when they don’t need to travel far, the boats are still neatly parked in front of their houses, as an indispensable part of life.
They often gather at a small market in the middle of the village – where early in the morning vegetables, fresh food and breakfast are sold.
Coming to Ha Lien, Quoc Bao felt like he was touching a time not too far in the past. He not only found beautiful angles to take photos but also saw the people's appreciation for the land and water here. The simplicity, gentleness, and close connection with nature make this fishing village an ideal destination for those who want to explore the beauty of culture and countryside landscape, especially for photographers who desire to capture simple, genuine moments.
Many photographers also come to this village to create.
Nha Phu River seen from above
It can be said that Ha Lien is not only a destination but also a moment of nostalgia and peace, where people and nature naturally blend together.
