More murals added to central Vietnam fishing village

Around 35 kilometers from the ancient town Hoi An, Tam Thanh has risen from a poor fishing village to a popular tourist destination after decorated with murals in 2016 thanks to a joint project between Vietnam and South Korea. The village lies between the sea and Truong Giang River.

Since this month, a group of local artists and volunteers have started a mural project conveying marine and daily fishing village life themes.

On Sunday, nearly 30 murals were finished, adding a fresh lick of paint to the village.

Painter Pham Dinh Hai works on a 15-meter-long mural depicting a fisherman setting out to sea.

The walls of many old houses, once covered in moss, now bear colorful works of art.

A girl sits by a painting of a dog and close-knit houses.

A sea turtle reminds visitors and residents of the importance of protecting marine life. Sea turtles are typically returned to the ocean if caught here.
The turtle species has seen a steep decline elsewhere in Vietnam, with the number of animals laying eggs annually in the country decreasing from around 10,000 in the 1980s to 450 in 2019, a study by the Institute of Marine Environmental Research found. The species is threatened due to pollution and loss of nesting areas because of coastal development, coupled with their inherently slow growth, maturity and reproductive rates.
Most sea turtles are classified as endangered and needing prioritized protection. Hunting or trading them, listed in Vietnam's Red Book of endangered species, is a crime in the country.

This painting shows women in conical hats collecting fish to sell at the local market.

These murals are aimed to lure more tourists and raise awareness about protecting the environment.

Tran Khanh Binh, a villager, decorates his home.
"Before the pandemic broke out, a large number of visitors flocked to visit the mural village but there are few at this time," he said.

In addition to murals, visitors can also admire dozens of basket boats decorated by artists.
Since June 2016, the Korea Foundation for International Exchange has implemented a Korean-Vietnamese community art exchange project in Tam Thanh Village with more than 100 paintings. The project has helped the pristine fishing village become the first mural village in Vietnam, welcoming thousands of visitors.