Tam Giang Lagoon
©
Tam Giang Lagoon

Tam Giang Lagoon

Tam Giang Lagoon is Vietnam’s largest lagoon system, a working landscape of fishing boats and brackish waters.

Tam Giang and Cau Hai together form the largest lagoon system in Southeast Asia, stretching more than 70 kilometres along the coast north of Hue. The shallow, brackish waters teem with fish, shrimp and crab, and the seafood here — eaten fresh at simple waterside stalls — is some of the best in central Vietnam.

The lagoon is a working landscape. Fishermen navigate the channels in basket boats, tending nets and crab traps as they have for generations. At dawn and dusk the light over the water is extraordinary. The area sees very few foreign visitors, making it one of the most peaceful day trips from Hue. Local boats can be hired to explore the fishing villages and oyster farms along the shore — see the sunset boat tour for the classic option.

Guide

Getting There

The most common access point is Thai Duong village, 12 kilometres north-east of Hue along Highway 49B. A taxi from the city centre is about 200,000 dong each way; most travellers come with an agency tour from Hue that includes the boat, dinner, and transport. Hiring a motorbike for the day from Hue is the cheapest way and gives you the run of the coastal road.

Guide

Things to Do

The lagoon is the attraction — there is no town as such. Hire a boat to explore the channels and oyster farms, eat seafood at a stilt restaurant, or time a visit to catch sunset over the water from one of the floating villages. Most travellers come as a half-day or sunset trip from Hue, 12 kilometres south.