In the journey “Da Nang return to origin – Return to Origin,” if Touch Tranquillity invites travellers to rediscover inner balance, then Touch the Essence opens another path: a journey into the authentic cultural life of the land.
Here, craft villages, fields, workshops and rural landscapes are not merely places to visit, but living stories of people, memory and traditional skills. Every experience creates a direct sense of connection – with the land, with the craft, and with the people who have preserved these cultural identities across generations.
From lush vegetable villages and bamboo workshops along the riverbanks to traditional communities along the Thu Bon River, the Touch the Essence journey reveals that cultural identity does not exist only in museums, but lives within the everyday rhythms of local communities.
When rural life becomes a living experience
One of the closest ways to experience the essence of a place is by stepping into traditional agricultural life.
At Tra Que Vegetable Village, visitors can spend a few hours becoming farmers – learning to grow vegetables using traditional methods, tending the soil, watering plants and harvesting fragrant herbs that have shaped Hoi An’s cuisine for generations. The experience often ends with a cooking class featuring regional dishes such as banh xeo (Vietnamese sizzling pancake), tam huu (Hoi An pork and shrimp rolls), banana blossom salad and other local specialties.
In another peaceful setting, Thanh Dong Organic Vegetable Village offers a nature-immersed experience. The organically cultivated gardens create a vibrant green agricultural landscape where visitors can ride basket boats, explore vegetable gardens and take part in cooking classes right on the farm.
Nearby, Caman Village brings the atmosphere of a riverside countryside to life. Small houses, herb gardens and organic vegetable plots form a rustic landscape where visitors can join daily village activities, learn to cook, enjoy local cuisine and experience the gentle rhythm of life in Hoi An.
In these places, the experience lies not in simply “seeing” but in participating and feeling – touching the soil, sowing seeds, cooking meals and listening to everyday stories told by local residents.
When craft villages tell their own stories
The Touch the Essence journey also leads travellers to traditional craft villages where knowledge and craftsmanship have been passed down through generations.
At Tâboo Bamboo Workshop, visitors enter the world of bamboo – a material deeply rooted in Vietnamese culture. In the bamboo workshop located within Cam Thanh village, travellers can observe the crafting process, listen to stories about bamboo craftsmanship and even create a small bamboo product themselves under the guidance of artisans.
In Kim Bong Carpentry Village, traditional woodworking continues to thrive through generations of craftsmen. Visitors can explore the village’s history, observe wood-carving techniques and participate in simple steps such as sanding, joinery or crafting a small handmade item.
In Hoi An, lantern-making is another iconic craft of local life. From slender bamboo frames and delicate silk fabrics to meticulous shaping techniques, lanterns are created not only to illuminate the streets but also to preserve the cultural beauty of the ancient town. By joining lantern-making workshops, visitors can craft their own lantern while learning about a traditional craft that has become a symbol of Hoi An.
Meanwhile, Thanh Ha Pottery Village, with a history of more than 500 years, continues to preserve traditional ceramic craftsmanship. Clay is entirely shaped by hand before being fired in kilns, creating pottery that carries the distinctive character of the region. Visitors can try making pottery themselves and explore Thanh Ha Terracotta Park, where large-scale ceramic artworks are displayed.
At Non Nuoc Stone Carving Village, located at the foot of the Marble Mountains, the art of stone carving has existed for more than four centuries. Skilled artisans create sculptures from marble, including Buddha statues, mythical creatures, decorative pieces and architectural elements. This craft reflects not only technical mastery but also the spiritual life and aesthetic traditions of the region.
Stories along rivers and fishing villages
Da Nang’s cultural identity is also closely tied to river and coastal life.
Within the coconut forest ecosystem along the river, Bay Mau Coconut Forest offers a distinctive water-culture experience of Central Vietnam. Round basket boats glide through narrow waterways while local fishermen demonstrate traditional fishing methods passed down through generations.
At Cam Nam fishing village, visitors can experience daily local life: weaving fishing nets with villagers, listening to stories about fishing seasons and storms, and tasting simple produce from local fields such as cassava, sweet potatoes and corn.
In the northwest of the city, Nam O Fish Sauce Village tells another story of the sea through the rich aroma of traditional fish sauce. Large wooden barrels ferment anchovies with Sa Huynh salt for months to produce the village’s renowned fish sauce. Visitors can learn about the traditional production process and hear stories about the fishing families who have preserved this craft for generations.
When agriculture becomes a creative experience
Beyond traditional villages, innovative agricultural spaces are also creating new experiences within the Touch the Essence journey.
At An Farm Hoi An, visitors can explore an organic farm specialising in herbs and medicinal plants. Activities such as cooking with natural ingredients, preparing herbal tea and learning about traditional herbal remedies offer a fresh perspective on agriculture – where health, nature and indigenous knowledge connect with experiential tourism.
In Cam Ha kumquat gardens, cultural identity is told through a tree closely associated with Lunar New Year traditions in Central Vietnam. Visitors can explore the gardens, learn about traditional kumquat cultivation and take part in activities such as making kumquat syrup or preparing beverages from this distinctive fruit.
When a journey becomes a meeting with cultural identity
What makes Touch the Essence special is not a single destination, but how these experiences connect into a meaningful journey.
A day might begin by planting vegetables in a rural village, followed by crafting a lantern, visiting a bamboo workshop, chatting with carpenters in a traditional village, and ending with a local meal in the countryside.
Each stop reveals a different story – about craft, land and people. When these stories connect, travellers realise that cultural identity is not something displayed, but something lived every day.
In the journey “Da Nang return to origin – Return to Origin,” Touch the Essence invites travellers to move closer to these authentic values – where every village, field and person continues to tell the story of the land in the most genuine way.
DANANG TOURISM PROMOTION CENTER
