Flood plains near Hoi An, a sight for photographers’ sore eyes

By Hoang Phong, Canh December November 4, 2019 | 02:49 am PT

The Bai Say-Dam River area in the central province of Quang Nam floods in autumn, spectacularly changing the landscape.

For many tourists, especially foreigners, Bai Say (Reed Bank)-Dam River area is a remote and off-the-beaten-track place on the tourism map but for locals in Quang Nam, the area, which is always flooded late autumn will help them improve their incomes with a plentiful source of seafood. Covering a total area of 180 hectares, the Bai Say (Reed Bank)-Dam River area in Tam Ky Town, around one hour drive from the UNESCO heritage site Hoi An, has emerged as a new tourist destination and is much loved by photographers thanks to the pristine beauty of its landscapes, along with the unique wooden boats used by local residents.

The Bai Say (Reed Bank)-Dam River area is always flooded in late autumn and the floods help improve locals’ incomes by bringing in plenty of seafood.

The 180-hectare area in Tam Ky Town, around an hour’s drive from the UNESCO heritage site Hoi An, has emerged as a new tourist destination and a photographers’ favorite thanks to the beauty of its pristine landscapes and the wooden boats used by locals.

Late October and early November, the flooded area of Bai Say -Dam River seems to put on a new coat with the green color of reed fields and the time is also the harvest season of water lilies and lotuses where locals are always caught rowing their boats all day on the flooded area for harvesting job.

In late October and early November the flooded plains of the Bai Say -Dam River seem to put on a new coat with the green of reed fields and colorful water lilies and lotuses which locals harvest all day in their boats.

Locals sail their boats on the Dam River to harvest water lilies and lotuses on a rainy day. Residents in the area mainly earn a living by fishing, tending ducks, or growing lotuses and water lilies.

Locals in boats on the Dam River harvest water lilies and lotuses on a rainy day.

People here mainly earn their living by fishing, raising ducks and growing lotuses and water lilies.

A woman sails her boat on the river with the background of beds of green vegetables adding to the idyllic charm of the flooded area.

Boats of local fishermen dock at a wharf on the Dam river. Recently, they set up a 12-member team specializing in rowing boats to take tourists to discover fishing activities, removing nets on the river and visiting fishing villages with the price of VND200,000 ($8.8) for four people.

Boats docked at a wharf on the Dam River.

Local fishermen recently set up a 12-member team to ply boats for tourists to discover fishing activities, removing nets on the river and visiting fishing villages, all for VND200,000 ($8.6) for four people.

Women wearing conical hats harvest water lilies in the Dam River.

The flowers, which blossom during the rainy season, are used for decoration and to make tea. Their stalks are edible and can be eaten raw with fermented paste or braised sauce or be dunked into sour soup and hotpot.

AAFrom the center of Tam Ky Town, follow Hung Vuong Street to reach National Highway 1A. Then continue going straight and turn to Road No.608 and cross the intersection of Nguyen Van Troi Street to reach the Bai Say area.

From the center of Tam Ky Town, follow Hung Vuong Street to reach National Highway 1A. Then continue straight, turn into Road No.608 and cross the intersection of Nguyen Van Troi Street to reach the Bai Say area.