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Thai Viet Hoan
Just a short ferry ride and a 30-minute riverboat trip from the center of Ho Chi Minh City, Thieng Lieng feels like a world apart – simple and untouched. This green eco-tourism oasis offers unforgettable experiences.
Thieng Lieng belongs to the island commune of Thanh An in Can Gio district. Even after the country’s reunification, this hamlet remained wild and desolate. The mangrove forests, characteristic of this region, were severely damaged during wartime. Amid this devastation, some people from Long An and Tien Giang provinces chose this area as their second home. They began a new life by reclaiming the land, building salt flats, and naming the hamlet “Thieng Lieng”.
Simple green living
The hamlet of Thieng Lieng boasts a diverse and rich ecosystem that serves as the city’s green lungs. Visitors will find various ways to explore the pristine natural beauty: walking along winding trails through the forests, cycling on a four-kilometer-long concrete road around the island, or kayaking through the area’s narrow canals.
Beyond sightseeing and relaxation, visitors can experience local people’s simple lifestyles. Guests can stay in locals’ stilt houses and participate in daily activities like fishing, salt-making, and vegetable farming. Familiar and endearing names like “Muoi Gia’s cool water”, “Tu Tuan’s coconut coffee”, “Nam Doi’s salt-field cuisine”, and “Tu Huynh’s traditional music” bring guests closer to the authentic and rustic local life.
Sustainable green living
Having learned about Thieng Lieng via a reality TV show, Ms. Phan Chau and her family from District 7, Ho Chi Minh City went to visit. They were amazed by the hamlet’s peaceful beauty and unique community-based tourism model. “It’s surprising that there’s such a serene green space just a short distance from Saigon,” enthused Ms. Chau. “I’m very impressed with how the locals organize tourism businesses—each family offers a different service without any competition. The people of Thieng Lieng are very friendly and enthusiastic. They’re always willing to share stories about their lives and the culture of the hamlet.” Ms. Chau expressed her desire to return with friends and spend more time “living slowly” in Thieng Lieng.
The hamlet’s community-based tourism offerings are based on principles of respecting nature and sustainable development. This is a meaningful transformation for the local people. From relying solely on traditional salt-making, they now have new ways to improve their lives while preserving their homeland’s green beauty. The locals play a leading role in developing tourism—they are guides, service providers, and environmental protectors. Community tourism not only brings economic benefits to locals but also raises their awareness of environmental protection and preserving traditional cultural values.
Thieng Lieng is a perfect choice for a short getaway from Ho Chi Minh City. Come and discover this serenity for yourself!
