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Nestled peacefully at the foot of the legendary Cù Mông Pass, in Xuân Bình commune, Sông Cầu town, Phú Yên province, the Tuyết Diêm salt-producing village is not only a familiar landmark but also a vibrant symbol of a traditional craft that has been preserved and developed over centuries. With a history dating back to the 18th century, this salt village has been closely intertwined with the lives of coastal residents and the formation and development of this "land of golden flowers and green grass."
The ups and downs of the salt village
In Vietnamese folklore, salt is not only a spice but also carries deep spiritual significance. According to ancient beliefs, salt, being salty, has the ability to ward off evil spirits and bring good fortune to the family. The custom of "buying salt at the beginning of the year" is maintained to pray for a year of strong human relationships, family harmony, close bonds between spouses and children, and prosperous business relationships. Furthermore, for hardworking and thrifty Vietnamese people, buying salt at the beginning of the year is also a reminder from parents to their children about the virtue of "eating sparingly and saving money to "buy lime at the end of the year" for building a house.
The Tuyet Diem salt-making industry in Phu Yen is a vibrant tapestry of labor in Song Cau town.
Throughout history, since the reign of Emperor Gia Long, the Tuyet Diem salt village was initially known as Hoa Diem. It wasn't until the reign of Emperor Minh Mang, when people began exploiting saltwater from the Cu Mong lagoon for production, that the name Tuyet Diem officially came into being. The name "Tuyet Diem" means "salt as white as snow," not only describing the pristine beauty of each salt grain but also implicitly affirming the superior quality and essence of this local specialty.
"Cù Mông salt costs thirty dong per grain."
Tuyết Diêm salt is also affectionately known by the elderly salt farmers as Cù Mông salt. This name originates from the fact that the salt village is located right at the foot of Cù Mông pass, and in the past, ships from all over Vietnam, from the South to the North, would use the south direction of the pass as a landmark to navigate into Tuyết Diêm when buying salt. This shows the fame and important position of the salt village in maritime trade at that time.
Salt-making is quite hard work; it thrives in sunny weather but cannot tolerate rain. Therefore, the people of Tuyet Diem village usually have to work in the fields on sunny days. Only then can the seawater quickly solidify and turn into salt.
In the memories of the elderly salt farmers, during the French colonial period, Tuyet Diem salt was as precious as gold. The colonial government had to build sturdy warehouses right in the middle of the salt fields, and at the same time establish a strict system of officials from the chief contractor, deputy contractor to the foreman, captain and guards, who took turns guarding day and night to protect every grain of salt. The extraordinary value of Tuyet Diem salt at that time was expressed in the folk song passed down among the villagers: "Cu Mong salt is thirty dong a grain."
A peaceful scene of labor under the Phu Yen sky.
The Tuyet Diem salt-making village boasts a vast production area of approximately 120 hectares, situated alongside National Highway 1A, about 60 km north of Tuy Hoa City center. This advantageous geographical location not only facilitates salt transportation but also makes it convenient for tourists to visit, experience, and immerse themselves in the unique characteristics of Phu Yen province.
Salt production seems to have become deeply ingrained in the daily lives of the people here.
Under the blazing sun of Central Vietnam, the Tuyet Diem salt fields stretch endlessly like giant mirrors reflecting the deep blue sky, with millions of sparkling salt crystals creating a magnificent and magical spectacle. The beauty of the salt village lies not only in the majestic natural scenery but also in the image of the diligent and hardworking salt farmers. They meticulously rake and pile the salt, creating beautiful and meaningful images of authentic working life, carefully collecting every salty grain from the sea.
What sets Tuyet Diem salt apart from other salt-producing regions is its post-harvest processing. While in many places the salt grains from the fields are already the final product, the people of Tuyet Diem further refine it to create even more exquisite salt products.
Tuyết Diêm salt is not only as white as snow but also of very high quality. Many people from near and far come to buy it to ferment with anchovies to produce the finest liters of fish sauce.
Tuyết Diêm salt grains are not only as white and translucent as snow, but also of exceptionally high quality, with a rich yet not harsh salty taste. This superior quality has made Tuyết Diêm salt an indispensable ingredient for fish sauce makers near and far, especially for fermenting anchovies to create the finest liters of fish sauce. This has contributed to the formation and development of famous traditional fish sauce villages such as Gành Đỏ, Mỹ Quang, and Mỹ Á.
According to local accounts, during the French colonial period, salt from Tuyet Diem was as precious as gold.
The Tuyet Diem salt-producing village is not only an economic center but also a unique cultural destination. Visitors can directly learn about the traditional salt-making craft, explore the salt-making culture, and enjoy fascinating experiences of the production activities and the hard yet simple lives of the local people.
Visitors can stroll along the small paths amidst the salt fields, feeling the scorching hot ground beneath their feet and breathing in the fresh air carrying the salty scent of the sea. This is also a great opportunity to interact with the salt farmers, listen to their stories about their profession, and take unique "Instagrammable" photos with the pristine white salt fields as a backdrop.
Recognizing this enormous potential, in November 2024, the People's Committee of Phu Yen province issued a decision on a pilot project to build rural tourism models and develop OCOP products in the new rural development program for the period 2024-2025. Among these, the community tourism model linked to salt production in Tuyet Diem village is one of nine models selected by Phu Yen province for priority development. This opens up a bright future for the salt-producing village, not only helping to preserve the traditional craft but also diversifying livelihoods for the people.
Today, Tuyet Diem salt has established a firm position in the domestic market and is even exported to Cambodia for use in preserving fish, making fish sauce, and processing dried seafood. Despite enduring many hardships, the people of Tuyet Diem remain proud of the achievements and value that salt brings, diligently working and rarely considering abandoning the profession. Some salt farmers in the village have been involved in the trade for over 50 years, witnessing the ups and downs of salt production. The salt here seems to have become deeply ingrained in the lives and dreams of the people of Tuyet Diem salt village, becoming an inseparable part of their souls.
