A Glimpse of The Enchanting Tra Que Vegetable Village in Hoi An, Vietnam.

Introduction

Tra Que Vegetable Village is located in Cam Ha commune, Hoi An Old Town, Quang Nam province. It is about 3 km northeast of the center of Hoi An Old Town. The village is famous for its organic vegetables, which are grown using traditional methods.

Explore the centuries-old tradition of Tra Que vegetables

The ancient Cham stone well in Tra Que village

Archaeological evidence shows that the Sa Huynh culture was present in this area 2,000 years ago. There is still a trace of an ancient Cham stone well that is thousands of years old, proving that people have lived in the village for a very long time.

Sa Huynh Culture

The Sa Huynh culture was a culture in what is now central and southern Vietnam that flourished between 1000 BC and 200 AD. The Sa Huynh people were most likely the predecessors of the Cham people, an Austronesian-speaking people and the founders of the kingdom of Champa. (Wikipedia)

The first Vietnamese inhabitants to settle in this area were about 400 years ago. They belonged to the Pham, Mai, Nguyen, Le, Tran, and Ho families. They were mainly farmers and fishermen.

Back then, the De Vong River was an important source of food for the villagers. In the process of cooking, people noticed that shrimp and fish cooked with vegetables grown in the area would make the food taste unique and delicious. This prompted the villagers to start collecting seeds and planting these vegetables, marking the beginning of the vegetable-growing tradition in Tra Que village.

At first, the villagers simply grew vegetables to feed their families. But as they got better at farming, they expanded their land and started selling vegetables to their neighbors. Thanks to their delicious, unique flavor, Tra Que vegetables became famous throughout the region.

The origin of the name Tra Que

According to local folklore, in the 18th century, King Gia Long of the Nguyen Dynasty was on a journey along the De Vong River when he stopped at the village. The villagers offered him the freshest and most delicious vegetables they had grown. Upon tasting them, the king was particularly impressed by a type of vegetable with a fragrant aroma like camellia and a spicy flavor reminiscent of cinnamon. After returning to the capital, he issued a decree changing the name of the village to Tra Que, which means “camellia and cinnamon” in Vietnamese.

4 Key Factors That Make Tra Que Vegetables Delicious

Climate and soil

Tra Que village is located in a coastal area with a mild climate and sandy soil. These conditions are ideal for growing vegetables, as they allow the plants to absorb nutrients easily and develop a strong flavor.

Local seeds have been maintained for hundreds of years

Generations of villagers have carefully nurtured local seeds, resulting in unique vegetable varieties that are bursting with flavor. Perfectly adapted to the land, these vegetables resist pests naturally and provide consistent, bountiful harvests. This tradition of sustainable farming ensures fresh, delicious vegetables year after year.

Soil Preparation and Fertilization

The farmers in Tra Que village take great care in preparing the soil and fertilizing their crops. They use water from the De Vong River and specialized tools to ensure that the soil is loose and well-drained. They also use green manure from algae, which is collected from nearby lakes and the De Vong River.

Cultivation Techniques Accumulated Over Generations

With a centuries-long tradition of vegetable cultivation, the farmers of Tra Que village have perfected their farming methods. From seed selection and storage to planting, care, harvesting, and marketing, the people of Tra Que have built up an invaluable treasure trove of experience.

They continuously adjust their methods and production processes to ensure that their vegetable products meet quality and safety standards for consumers, while also saving production time.

Unforgettable experiences when visiting Tra Que Vegetable Village

Taking a bike ride through the village

A bike ride from Hoi An to Tra Que Vegetable Village is a wonderful experience that you will remember for a long time. Along the way, you will admire the peaceful countryside scenery, cycling on roads lined with lush vegetable gardens and rice fields. Observe the life of farmers in the Hoi An countryside.

Become a Farmer for a Day in Tra Que Vegetable Village

When you visit Tra Que Vegetable Village, you have the opportunity to experience the work of a farmer. The locals will guide you through the tasks of farming, from tilling the soil and planting seeds to watering and harvesting vegetables.

Taking a cooking class

In Tra Que, you have the opportunity to participate in exciting cooking classes. Here, experienced chefs will guide you on how to choose fresh ingredients and prepare Hoi An specialties, such as banh xeo, mi Quang, or tam huu. The ingredients are locally sourced, with fresh shrimp caught from the De Vong River and clean vegetables picked directly from Tra Que vegetable fields.