Discovering Chuon Lagoon: Peaceful Beauty in Tam Giang Lagoon

Chuon Lagoon (also known as An Truyen Chuon Lagoon) is located in An Truyen village (Chuon village), My Thuong ward, Hue city. This is one of the prominent destinations in the Tam Giang - Cau Hai lagoon system, famous for its peaceful river landscape and characteristic fishing village life of Hue. Covering an area of over 100 hectares, Chuon Lagoon possesses a rich brackish water ecosystem, formed by the harmony between freshwater from rivers and seawater. This natural environment is home to many valuable aquatic species, while creating a distinct scene with stilt houses on the water, traditional fish trapping systems (nò sáo), and small fishing boats.

Chuon Lagoon is only about 10–15 km from the center of Hue city, so visitors can easily travel by motorbike, private car, or taxi, taking around 25–40 minutes. Motorbikes are a popular choice due to their convenience and the opportunity to enjoy the scenery along the way.

Popular route:

• From the center of Hue, follow Le Loi Street - cross Dap Da Bridge - Nguyen Sinh Cung Street.

• Continue along Provincial Road 10A (National Highway 49B), then turn into the road leading to An Truyen village (Chuon village) to reach Chuon Lagoon.

For more convenience, you can simply search for "Dam Chuon Hue" or "Dam Chuon An Truyen" on Google Maps. If you want to save time and combine visits to multiple destinations, you can also choose day tours that include Ru Cha, Duong No village, and sunset watching on Tam Giang Lagoon.

From April to August is the best time to visit Chuon Lagoon. The weather is dry, sunny, and with little rain, which is very favorable for sightseeing, boating, and enjoying fresh seafood. This is also the busy fishing season, offering a great opportunity to clearly experience the life of fishermen in the lagoon area.

Two popular times loved by many tourists are:

• Sunrise (5:00 AM – 7:00 AM): A peaceful setting with early morning sunlight reflecting on the water, accompanied by the sight of fishing boats returning after a night of fishing.

• Sunset (4:30 PM – 6:00 PM): The time when Chuon Lagoon is at its most beautiful, as the sky turns a vibrant orange-gold, creating a romantic scene beside stilt houses and wooden boats on the lagoon.

For a complete trip, you should avoid the rainy and stormy season (around September to December), as unpredictable weather may affect travel and sightseeing activities on the lagoon.

Chuon Lagoon impresses visitors with its peaceful, pristine landscape steeped in the aquatic charm of Hue. The vast lagoon surface changes colors at different times of the day, from gentle green hues in the morning to a brilliant golden light as sunset falls, creating a poetic natural picture. Highlights of Chuon Lagoon are the rustic stilt houses, traditional fish trap and net systems, and fishermen's wooden boats appearing faintly on the water surface. All blend with the cool breeze from the lagoon, bringing a quiet and relaxing space, contrasting with the pace of urban life.

In the early morning, visitors also have the chance to witness fishermen harvesting seafood and the bustling trading atmosphere on the lagoon. It is this pristine beauty and rustic lifestyle that make Chuon Lagoon an ideal destination for those seeking to return to nature, enjoy peace, and capture poetic photos of Hue.

Traveling to Chuon Lagoon in Hue offers a wide variety of experiences suitable for families, couples, or groups of friends. Here are some highlight activities:

Watching the sunrise and sunset 

Start your day early to catch the sunrise at Chuon Lagoon. The sun rises over the lagoon, bathing the water and vast fishing nets in pink light, creating an unforgettable romantic atmosphere. In the late afternoon, the sunset turns a brilliant orange, ideal for photography. You can rent a small rowboat (around 100,000 VND/hour) to float on the water, enjoying the cool breeze and gentle sound of lapping waves.

Experiencing fisherman life and kayaking

Try being a "fisherman for a day" by joining local residents in catching fish and shrimp. Community tours in An Truyen village will guide you through the nearby Ru Cha mangrove forest, a rare primeval forest with mystical beauty. Alternatively, paddle a kayak to explore small channels and admire the diverse ecosystem, from water birds to groupers.

Visiting An Truyen Village

Visit An Truyen village to learn about historical stories told by the locals. Don't forget to stroll around the village communal house and buy souvenirs such as fermented fish sauce (mắm cá rò), Chuon village wine, or magenta leaf sticky rice cake (bánh tét lá cẩm) – delicacies rich in local flavor.

Participating in festivals and community activities

If you visit during the 7th lunar month, you can immerse yourself in the Ancestor Procession Festival featuring traditional folk performances. Additionally, you can join a workshop on making rabbitfish savory pancakes (bánh xèo cá kình) or recreational fishing, connecting closely with local culture.

It's impossible to mention traveling to Chuon Lagoon without highlighting its rich yet rustic local cuisine. Fresh seafood caught right on the spot is the "soul" of any meal:

• Bánh xèo cá kình (Rabbitfish savory pancake): Crispy pancake filled with fresh rabbitfish, bean sprouts, and aromatic herbs, served with spicy chili fish sauce.

• Cháo bột xắt (Cut rice noodle porridge): Chewy rice noodles cooked with shrimp, snakehead fish, and pork, warm and soothing for a chilly morning.

• Bún nghệ xào lòng (Turmeric noodles fried with pork intestines): Bright yellow rice noodles colored by local turmeric, stir-fried with pork intestines and Vietnamese coriander, irresistibly aromatic.

Famous eateries: Huong Quan, Dam Chuon An Phu, Dam Chuon Hoi Quan, Dam Chuon Lagoon (great lagoon view, seafood prices around 200,000 - 500,000 VND/meal), or dine directly on a boat for an enhanced experience. 

Tip: Go early to select fresh seafood, and try on-site grilling for the most original taste.

Exploring Chuon Lagoon is not only a journey back to peaceful beauty in the middle of Tam Giang Lagoon, but also an opportunity to immerse yourself in the life of fishermen, enjoy fresh cuisine, and feel the complete charm of Hue's water region. To fully experience the scenery and culture here, a trip with a Tam Giang Lagoon exploration tour will be an ideal choice. It not only takes you to Chuon Lagoon, but the journey also opens up opportunities to watch breathtaking sunsets over the lagoon, take boat rides across vast waters, and enjoy a seafood feast right in the lagoon center. This will surely be an unforgettable memory in your trip to Hue.