Unique community-based tourism in Hoi An

Text and photos:Quoc Hai

According to "his profession"

Having been a fisherman for over 50 years, Mr. Doan Tan from Cam An ward, Hoi An city, switched to driving a traditional boat to enjoy a new pleasure on the river with tourists. He is currently transporting a group of Northern European tourists on a sightseeing tour along the Thu Bon River towards Cua Dai.

Earlier, the tourists had cycled with him to the traditional Tra Que vegetable village in Cam Ha, then leisurely returned by boat to enjoy the breeze. He said in a rustic way: "Even though we only stopped by for a short while, the scent of cinnamon still lingers in my nostrils. The tourists feel the same way, not just me. Now they also enjoy the river, setting nets and casting fishing lines, following 'the old man's profession'!"

Helping the passengers onto the boat, Mr. Tan pointed to the fishing net his son was keeping nearby, then grabbed the net and cast it out into the open air as if catching the water and the small fish. The boat rocked precariously, making the passengers blush with worry, but Mr. Tan remained completely unfazed, asking them to put on life jackets and then demonstrating how to do it.

The guest, whose name is the same as the singer's – Connie Francis – laughed as if he were in a deserted place when he cast his net haphazardly, leaving it tangled and messy. He said, "This is the first time in my life, but it seems like my ancestors fished this way a thousand years ago. It's fun and unforgettable!"

A day living life on the water

The beginning of a day spent with the locals of Hoi An unfolded in such a "fun and unforgettable" way. Connie Francis and her group were then taken to the Bay Mau coconut forest. The boat stopped before a stretch of river dotted with fishing nets, and guests were invited onto small boats. With the help of eight locals from Cam Thanh, everyone learned to paddle the boats deep into the nooks and crannies of the coconut forest.

In a story told from this place, Mr. Tran Van Manh - a resident of Thanh Chau village, Cam Thanh district - spoke about his ancestors' generation: "They lived surrounded by vast coconut groves, catching crabs and fish, then venturing out to sea to Cham Island to fish and harvest swallows' nests. Now let's fish together!"

Tourists are fascinated by the various types of crabs and other crustaceans crawling on coconut fronds or along the riverbanks. “I caught one that looked like a crab with small red claws. I don’t know its name, but it was very fast. I learned a great way to fish in this vast expanse of water!” said Barry Mann, a Norwegian tourist.

Before returning to the larger boat, the eight small boats caused a commotion along the river with a rocking race. Afterwards, they learned how to make mirrors, clocks, and grasshoppers from coconut leaves.

While instructing guests on how to play these traditional folk games, Tran Van Manh enthusiastically sang folk songs about the river and sea. He said, "Whenever a group of tourists comes, I sing, I sing familiar, rustic melodies from my homeland. I'm not sure if I sing well, but the guests pay close attention!"

There is a new Hoi An.

The tour program described above, called "Fish & Chip," has been offered by Hoi An Travel for nearly six months now. After numerous adjustments and additions, "Fish & Chip" is a tourism product built on the foundation of Hoi An's traditional community culture.

Nguyen Trong Tuan, Director of Hoi An Travel Center, said: “Previously, we developed the program “A Day as a Resident of the Old Town,” which has now become established and branded. However, in an effort to innovate and improve the quality of our products, “Fish & Chip” was created as a way to explore and experience life in a closer and more unique way through the values ​​of everyday labor.”

In fact, to convey the program's content, especially bringing folk singing and traditional games to tourists, Hoi An Travel has tested both the spatial and temporal psychological characteristics of each tourist market. "Finding new products for Hoi An tourism is very difficult; however, the efforts of businesses to innovate through in-depth investment are commendable," commented Ms. Dinh Thi Thu Thuy, Head of the Trade and Tourism Department of Hoi An.

The Thanh