Review Author: Tuu

Review Date: 14 sep 2025

Review Body: What impressed me most were the community-based experiences in Cẩm Kim. First were the river activities—being on the water and listening to local people share stories about their efforts to protect the natural environment and preserve the riverside landscape. Second were the everyday community rhythms: the craft villages and traditional livelihoods that the elders here genuinely want to pass down and “leave behind” for younger generations. I learned a meaningful lesson about the value created when people connect as a group and share what they have with one another. I was also struck by how they care for the spaces around their community— the riverbanks, the scenery around their homes, small fences and gardens—alongside the preservation of traditional woodworking and handicrafts.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Linh

Review Date: 14 sep 2025

Review Body: As I listened to everyone’s stories and experienced this community learning tourism model, I took away a big lesson: the way people here have built on what their community already has to develop a sustainable form of tourism—one that actively protects and preserves the local area. It also made me realise something: any model becomes truly sustainable when the community members themselves take ownership and play an active role in it. That’s because it grows out of the community’s real needs, and the community acts to meet those needs for themselves.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Oanh

Review Date: 14 nov 2025

Review Body: In the fishing village, the village head walked us through the narrow lanes. The salty smell of the sea clung to our hair, and the sound of waves hitting the shore felt like the village’s own breathing. In his courtyard, big clay jars of fish sauce sat quietly, letting time do its work. It takes 12 months to make a good batch of fish sauce – you can’t rush it. Those silent jars felt alive too, slowly absorbing the sun, the wind, and a whole lot of patience. So many hands, so much waiting, so many times opening the lid to check, then closing it again – all just to create one drop of something rich, deep, and full of flavour. It reminded me of people. If we only live fast, work fast, love fast, we’re just like raw salt that hasn’t had time to dissolve into anything. It takes time, darkness, and waiting for one’s true essence to mature. This fishing village reminded me that nothing can be truly deep if it hasn’t been quietly “fermented” by time and silence.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Min Yi

Review Date: 27 aug 2026

Review Body: The tour showcases the whole ecosystem behind the fish sauce making process. We walked along the beach, where fishermen bring their catch of the day to local sellers, explored the village, and got to see how the local people live. We also learned about the traditional fish sauce making process and the craftsmanship behind it. The locals take great pride in using the best quality ingredients and taking the time needed to create the best possible product. We explored the history of the village and gained a better understanding of the challenges villagers face in maintaining their traditional livelihood. Duyen, Linh and Minh, our interpreter and guides, were nothing short of amazing. They shared lots of interesting stories and taught us about the local customs and beliefs, which made the experience much more meaningful. If you’re interested in learning more about how people live here, be sure to check with the guide about the best time to start the tour.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Lam

Review Date: 14 nov 2025

Review Body: It was the first time I’d ever seen another foreigner scoop fish sauce by hand — the fermented liquid still full of fish meat and bones that haven’t completely dissolved — into a filter funnel. It’s the kind of thing that even many Vietnamese, who grow up eating fish sauce, never actually do themselves. As a participant on the tour, watching Kasper step up and try it, I felt both impressed and oddly proud of him. For someone not used to it, the smell of fish sauce can be really strong and a bit overwhelming, but he didn’t flinch or joke about it — he just genuinely wanted to experience it. It felt like we were being invited a little deeper into something very Vietnamese — something meaningful to the people here, to their ancestors, and to the culinary soul of the country.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Tabitha

Review Date: 19 jul 2026

Review Body: This was an interesting tour in that the focus is more on the people, their stories and their lifestyles. We walked along the beach, heard about the history of whale worshipping, met with a local fish sauce maker in her home and got to try out straining some. Then we connected with the local village over a coconut and finished with reflecting over an ocean view. This is easily one of the most memorable tours I’ve ever been on, but it isn’t for everyone. If you want to meet the locals and their way of life - great! If you want photo ops and fomo - this isn’t for you.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Ky

Review Date: 14 nov 2025

Review Body: What I loved most about this experience was the sense of nostalgia it brought me. The flavours and atmosphere of Nam Ô reminded me so much of my grandparents’ old house. I even enjoyed the smell of fish sauce lingering on my hands after making it – it felt so real and comforting that I just wanted to eat a dish with fish sauce straight away!

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Ivan P

Review Date: 07 mrt 2026

Review Body: Great, unique, and authentic experience. Being able to hear from a fisherman about their experiences, life, and thoughts about the future, was very enlightening. If you are interested in hearing real stories from 'craft village' locals, this is what you are looking for.

Review rating: 5

Itinerary Day 1

Itinerary Summary: Hand row the river explore boatbuilding fishing tools and a community coop

Itinerary Description: Welcome & Introduction — 10 minutes: Meet your local host for a brief introduction to Cẩm Kim, the Thu Bồn River and the community-led journey ahead. Hand-Rowed Journey on the Thu Bồn River — 30 minutes: Travel slowly along the river, observe its ecosystem and learn about traditional fishing practices—including how local fishermen are becoming guardians of the river. Traditional Wooden Boatbuilding — 40 minutes: Visit a local workshop to discover how wooden boats once supported trade, transportation and everyday life, and how craftspeople are preserving this disappearing heritage. Traditional Fishing Tools & River Stories — 40 minutes: Visit Uncle Trí’s home to see fishing nets, traps and bamboo baskets passed down through generations. Learn how they work, try weaving a small section of net and hear stories of how riverside families once lived and worked. Meet the Community Cooperative — 30 minutes: End the journey with Ms Cúc, director of the local cooperative. Learn how residents collectively design the experiences, make decisions and share responsibilities and income—offering a community-owned alternative to conventional tourism. Throughout the journey: Cycle gently between stops along quiet village lanes and countryside roads, with approximately 20 minutes of cycling in total. If you prefer not to cycle, all visits can be arranged by boat. Along the way, enjoy locally made treats and drinks such as bánh xu xê while discovering how rice farming connects the land, water and communities of Cẩm Kim.