This winding alley leads through a village lined with bright and lively murals. These paintings have brought fame to this fishing village, making it a popular spot with young travelers, who call it, “Nhon Ly Mural Village”. Blue is a popular color in Nhon Ly. We laughed loudly and said: “Oh, it’s like we’re in Santorini!” Blue window frames, blue lanterns, and giant blue fish decorations on a wall along a slope delight visitors, who line up to take photos. Offsetting the blue paint are clusters of bright pink bougainvillea in full bloom under the sun. With its winding alleys and gently sloping hills, this village reminds me of picturesque lanes in Dalat or the famous mural village near the seaside city of Busan in South Korea.

In the past, villagers in Nhon Ly mainly lived off fishing, spending their days facing the sea and its storms. The transformation began when a local monk proposed decorating the village’s walls, a concept supported by the local government and the villagers, and realized with business contributions. The village was transformed. The locals preserved their traditional livelihood and quickly introduced new services like eateries and homestays. We were pleasantly surprised by the price of our charming homestay. Its rates were quite reasonable, just a few hundred-thousand Vietnam dong, depending on the room type. Similarly, when we stopped by a lovely, shaded café for a rest and some drinks, engaging in pleasant conversation with the owner, we were astounded by the low bill.