Tam Giang Lagoon

Tam Giang is the largest coastal lagoon in Southeast Asia — a 216 km² expanse of calm, brackish water stretching from the mouth of the O Lau River south to the Thu Bon estuary, separated from the South China Sea by a narrow sand bar. Life on the lagoon has barely changed in centuries: fishing families live on floating houses, cast nets from wooden sampans at dawn, and farm oysters, clams, and shrimp in roped-off plots. The best times to visit are sunrise — when hundreds of boats head out in low mist — and sunset, when the water turns copper and red. Chuon Lagoon (the southern section, 15 km from Hue) is the most accessible entry point.

Hire a motorbike and head east toward Thuan An beach, then turn south along the lagoon road. Boat trips onto the water can be arranged in the villages for approximately 100,000–200,000 VND. No entry fee. Best combined with a visit to Thuan An beach on the same day.

Hotel recommendations coming soon.