During the 16th century, the people of Thanh Hoa province, led by Lord Nguyen Hoang, settled in Thuan Hoa, making a stop at an area called Thanh Toan (now Thanh Thuy Chanh village).
Today, the Thuan Hoa region consists of Quang Binh, Quang Tri, and Thua Thien – Hue provinces.
Thanh Thuy Chanh village is home to 3,000 households who primarily earn a living through wet rice cultivation. In their free time, they also engage in other activities such as sewing conical hats and forging farming tools.
In 2014, a farming museum was established in the center of the village to showcase the history, culture, tools, fishing, and daily life of the villagers.
Nguyen Mau Hoa, Deputy Chairman of Thuy Thanh Commune People’s Committee, explained, “The displayed farming tools at the museum are connected to the stories of the Thanh Toan people. Local tour guides often demonstrate the use of these tools to help visitors understand the economic and cultural life of the locals.”
Visitors can also explore various ancient architectural structures, with the most notable being the national relic of Thanh Toan tile-roofed bridge.
This bridge, constructed in 1776, spans a small tributary of the Nhu Y River. It was sponsored by Tran Thi Dao, the wife of a high-ranking mandarin under King Le Hien Tong’s rule.
The 17-meter long and over 4-meter wide bridge features a rainbow-shaped design divided into 3 compartments. Its roof is covered with enamel tubular tiles. Wooden platforms and railings on both sides provide resting areas for visitors.
Every two years, during the Hue Festival, local villagers hold a ritual to commemorate Tran Thi Dao, the sponsor of the bridge.
Nguyen Thi Kiem, a guide from the Thanh Toan travel community, said, “During the ritual, a procession carries Ma’am Tran Thi Dao’s tablet from the Tran family to Thanh Toan tile-roofed bridge. This important ceremony involves village chiefs and family clans to honor her achievements.”
A nearby market, conveniently located near 4 ancient banyan trees, operates daily. During the Hue Festival, the Thanh Toan market becomes the venue for the “Rural market on festive days” program. This program showcases agricultural and handicraft production, folk game performances, and displays of farming and fishing tools.
Visitors can also enjoy art and poetry exchange programs and indulge in local dishes.
The Thua Thien Hue provincial Department of Science and Technology has assisted Thanh Thuy Chanh village in establishing a tourism brand identity. At the Vietnam International Travel Mart – VITM Hanoi 2017, the village was honored as one of three Vietnamese destinations to receive the ASEAN Community Tourism Award.
