Farm the village the UN named one of the best in the world
Fertilised with river seaweed
Tra Que vegetable village, Cam Ha, about 3 km north of the old town on the Co Co River. Flat 20 minute cycle from the centre.
Why it's unique
UN Tourism named Tra Que a Best Tourism Village on 15 November 2024 in Cartagena, chosen from more than 260 candidates across 60 countries and the only Vietnamese entry that year.
The farming method is why. About 40 hectares have been worked for close to 400 years and fertilised with seaweed dragged out of the Co Co River, laid on the beds wet, rather than with manure or chemicals. Twenty or so herbs are grown in rotation.
The award is the checkable claim. The seaweed is what makes it more than an award.
Before you go
Ask about the seaweed. It is raked from the river, spread wet, and local cooks will tell you it is why the herbs here come up smaller and taste stronger than the same species grown elsewhere. You can test that by eating.
Go early in the morning, when the watering is still done by hand with two cans on a shoulder pole.
Most operators bundle this with a cooking class, which is fine, but you can simply cycle out and walk in. It is flat the whole way.