Tra Que Vegetable Village

Tra Que grows the herbs that Hoi An's cooking runs on - basil, coriander, mint, perilla, la lot - in raised sandy beds between the river and the De Vong lagoon, and the specific thing about it is the fertiliser: rong, the algae and weed dredged out of the lagoon, is spread on the beds instead of animal manure, which growers say is why the herbs from here are more intensely flavoured and smaller-leaved than herbs grown elsewhere. The village works normally and takes visitors, with farming experiences and cooking classes that have become a substantial part of its income. In 2024 it was named among the UN tourism organisation's best tourism villages.

What you actually see

• Raised sandy herb beds - between the river and the lagoon.
• Lake weed as fertiliser - dredged and spread instead of manure.
• Smaller, stronger herbs - what growers say the method produces.
• Farming and cooking experiences - a real part of the village economy.

When to go

February to August; the flood season affects the beds. Half a day.

Honest expectations

The farming experiences are staged for visitors, honestly so. It is busy with cycling tours from Hoi An. Entry is charged and classes are priced at tourist rates. The village is small.

Nearby

Hoi An is south-west; Cua Dai beach is east.