From traditional rice wine making and handmade bamboo crafts to sedge mat weaving and basket boat journeys, discover the cultural heritage and authentic countryside charm of Tra Nhieu Village.
A Riverside Village Rich in Cultural Heritage
Away from the busy streets of Hoi An, Tra Nhieu Village offers a glimpse into a quieter side of Central Vietnam. Located in Nam Phuoc Commune, Da Nang, this riverside community is shaped by its connection to the water, traditional occupations and generations of local craftsmanship.
Often described as a village of traditional trades, Tra Nhieu has long been associated with fishing, net making, sedge mat weaving, bamboo crafts and basket boat building. Today, community-based tourism gives visitors an opportunity to experience these traditions while supporting the people who continue to preserve them.
Rather than simply observing village life, visitors are invited to take part in everyday activities and learn directly from local residents.
Exploring the Countryside by Bicycle
Cycling is one of the most enjoyable ways to begin exploring Tra Nhieu. Following small village lanes, visitors pass traditional houses, green gardens, bamboo groves and peaceful waterways.
The relaxed pace allows time to appreciate the landscape and observe the rhythms of rural life. It is a refreshing contrast to the busier tourist areas nearby and provides a natural introduction to the village and its people.
Discovering Traditional Rice Wine at Ba Huu Distillery
One of the highlights of our visit was discovering the traditional rice wine-making process at Ba Huu Distillery.
Rice wine has a long-standing place in Vietnamese food culture and rural hospitality. At the family distillery, visitors can learn how local rice wine is prepared through a process passed down through generations.
The experience offers more than a chance to sample a traditional drink. It provides insight into the knowledge, patience and family traditions behind a product that remains part of everyday life in many Vietnamese communities.
Meeting local producers and seeing their work firsthand makes this experience particularly meaningful.
Learning Sedge Mat Weaving at Mrs Hong’s Workshop
At Mrs Hong’s workshop, we discovered the traditional craft of sedge mat weaving, an occupation closely connected to the agricultural and domestic life of the region.
Using prepared sedge fibres, skilled weavers carefully arrange and interlace the materials to create durable, patterned mats. Each movement requires coordination, patience and experience.
Visitors can observe the process and try weaving themselves, gaining a greater appreciation of the time and craftsmanship behind an everyday household item.
The craft also reflects the importance of preserving traditional skills. Recent local initiatives have focused on developing new products from sedge fibres, helping the village adapt its heritage to contemporary tourism and consumer needs.
A Basket Boat Journey Through the Nipa Palm Forest
A visit to Tra Nhieu would not be complete without exploring its nipa palm forest by traditional basket boat.
As the boat moves through the narrow waterways, visitors are surrounded by green palms and the peaceful sounds of the natural environment. The journey offers a different perspective on the village, where waterways remain closely connected to local livelihoods.
Unlike more commercialised attractions, the experience here is rooted in the landscape and the community’s relationship with the river.
Experiencing Traditional Lift-Net Fishing at Chú Chín’s Fishing Station
Fishing has shaped life in Tra Nhieu for generations. One traditional technique visitors can discover is cất rớ, a form of lift-net fishing used by riverside communities.
The method involves lowering a large net into the water and raising it with a supporting structure and lifting mechanism to catch fish. The process requires an understanding of the river, water conditions and the movement of fish.
At Chú Chín’s fishing station, visitors can observe this traditional practice and gain insight into the knowledge behind local fishing livelihoods. It is a fascinating reminder that the river is not only part of the scenery but also an essential source of food and income for the community.
Discovering Traditional Fishing Net Weaving
Another craft we experienced in Tra Nhieu was traditional fishing net weaving.
For generations, fishing nets have been essential tools for local fishermen. Making and repairing them requires patience, precision and a practical understanding of mesh size and structure.
Watching the strands being carefully connected offers an appreciation of the skill behind an object that may appear simple at first glance. More importantly, the craft reveals how closely traditional knowledge is tied to the daily work of the fishing community.
Exploring Bamboo Handicrafts and Basket Boat Making
Bamboo has long been an essential material in the daily lives of Vietnamese rural communities. In Trà Nhiêu, visitors can observe local artisans transforming raw bamboo into practical handmade products through traditional techniques passed down through generations.
The process begins with carefully splitting bamboo stems into thinner strips. Each piece is prepared by hand before being woven together to create strong and functional structures. Watching the artisans work reveals the patience, precision and experience behind what might otherwise appear to be a simple craft.
For visitors, the experience offers more than an opportunity to observe traditional craftsmanship. It provides a closer look at how local people make use of natural materials and preserve practical skills that remain part of their cultural heritage.
Basket boat making requires specialised techniques and considerable experience to shape the woven structure into a functional vessel. Seeing this process firsthand offers a deeper understanding of the craftsmanship behind an iconic part of the region’s waterways.
The Art of Traditional Bamboo Handicrafts
Bamboo has played an important role in the everyday lives of Vietnamese rural communities for generations. In Trà Nhiêu, visitors can discover how local artisans transform this natural material into practical handmade products using traditional techniques.
The process begins with carefully selecting and preparing the bamboo. Using specialised knives and traditional tools, artisans split the stems into thinner strips, adjusting their thickness and width according to the intended purpose. This preparation requires considerable skill, as each strip must be flexible and strong enough for the next stage of production.
Once ready, the bamboo strips are carefully woven and shaped by hand. Watching the artisans work offers a fascinating insight into the patience, precision and craftsmanship behind these everyday objects.
For visitors, this is an opportunity to get closer to a traditional craft rather than simply observe the finished products. It also reveals how local communities have made thoughtful use of natural resources while preserving practical knowledge passed down through generations.
Community Tourism: Keeping Local Traditions Alive
What makes Tra Nhieu special is not simply the number of activities available, but the opportunity to connect with the people behind them.
Through community-based tourism, traditional occupations become interactive cultural experiences. Visitors learn directly from local residents, while households have opportunities to share their knowledge, generate additional income and keep their skills relevant to younger generations.
The village is also adapting its traditional crafts to contemporary needs, particularly through efforts to develop new sedge-based products and improve the presentation of local handicrafts.
Why Tra Nhieu Village Deserves a Place on Your Da Nang Itinerary
Tra Nhieu offers something increasingly valuable to modern travellers: an authentic connection with local culture and everyday life.
From cycling along quiet village lanes and learning traditional crafts to drifting through nipa palm waterways, each experience reveals a different aspect of the community’s identity.
For travellers seeking more than conventional sightseeing, Tra Nhieu is a meaningful destination to discover the traditions, skills and hospitality that continue to shape rural life in Da Nang.
