Cam Thanh village, Hoi An, Quang Nam province, has been honored to be included in the list of 50 most beautiful villages in the world announced by Forbes Magazine. With its rustic, simple but vibrant beauty, Cam Thanh is not only an eco-tourism destination but also a place to preserve unique cultural and historical values of Vietnam.
In the list, the 5 most beautiful villages in the world are honored respectively as Bibury Ancient Village (England), Hallstatt (Austria), Reine (Norway), Giethoorn (Netherlands), Gásadalur (Faroe Islands)… Cam Thanh Village is ranked 20th, with the peaceful beauty of bamboo basket boats spinning in the Bay Mau coconut forest, rowers casting nets under the swaying coconut leaves.
Nestled between coconut groves and crisscrossed by canals, Cam Thanh hums with the rhythm of river life. When the sun sets, the Thu Bon River glows with copper, and the village exudes a peaceful aura that captivates everyone.
The soul of the countryside in the middle of the Bay Mau coconut forest
Cam Thanh is likened to a vivid countryside painting, where bamboo basket boats glide gently on the Thu Bon River, winding through the Bay Mau water coconut forest system – a unique mangrove forest dating back to the 18th century. The cool green coconut trees swaying in the wind create a poetic scene, making visitors feel like they are lost in a world completely separate from the hustle and bustle of the city.
Sitting on a basket boat, under the guidance of skilled boatmen, you will hear about the history of the land that was once a revolutionary base during the war, while admiring the diverse ecosystem with flocks of herons flying and fish swimming in the clear water.
Cam Thanh Coconut Forest (Seven-Sample Coconut Forest) is about 3 km southeast of Hoi An ancient town. With its riverside marshland and many streams with densely growing water coconut trees, this place is considered “Southern Vietnam in the heart of Hoi An”
In September 2009, the Seven-Sample Coconut Forest was recognized as a tourist destination to orient and focus on investment and development of service tourism, the foundation of which is both a historical and cultural relic site and a buffer zone of the Cu Lao Cham world biosphere reserve. Since then, the coconut forest has become an attractive destination on the local tourism map.
Not only basket boats, Cam Thanh also offers a unique kayaking experience. When dawn falls or dusk turns the river golden, kayaking amidst the poetic river scenery, with simple wooden boats and bobbing fish cages, is a great way to feel the slow pace of life in the countryside.
Cam Thanh not only captivates visitors with its natural scenery but also with its rustic dishes. From roadside eateries with fish noodle soup, Quang noodles, hot bread, to family meals with spring rolls, tamarind shrimp sauce, lemongrass and chili chicken and stir-fried morning glory, everything has a rustic but unforgettable flavor.
Cam Thanh – A village steeped in culture and history
Cam Thanh is not only a village of scenic beauty but also rich in cultural and historical values. Small alleys lead through craft workshops where people still preserve traditional crafts such as net weaving, making basket boats, and crafting coconut products. Ancient temples and pagodas nestled along the roads, along with ancient tombs in the middle of rice fields, tell the story of the lives of farming families, and even Japanese merchants who once lived in Hoi An.
Cam Thanh offers a variety of unique accommodation options, from homestays nestled in rice fields to luxury villas, designed according to a sustainable tourism model with sophisticated spaces, blending with nature. Many places also provide free bicycles for visitors to freely explore the green fields, shrimp ponds, or fragrant lotus lakes.
Activities such as cycling through the fields in the early morning, taking part in a bamboo handicraft class, or simply immersing yourself in the countryside atmosphere with the smell of grilled squid and sweet jackfruit, all bring a sense of relaxation and intimacy when visitors enjoy exploring Cam Thanh
The perfect combination of nature, culture, and sustainable lifestyle has made Cam Thanh a must-see destination. Not only a place to enjoy natural beauty, Cam Thanh is also a journey to discover local culture, where visitors can immerse themselves in the authentic rural life. From exciting basket boat trips, meals full of hometown flavors, to historical stories told through each alley, Cam Thanh is a living testament to the eternal beauty of the Vietnamese countryside.
Plan a visit to Cam Thanh, where you will find a little corner of paradise in the heart of Quang Nam, and see for yourself why this village is honored as one of the most beautiful villages in the world.
