This year, Tam Ky city continued to promote local tourism by forming an art village in Tam Thanh commune. Nguyen Minh Nam, Vice Chairman of Tam Ky People’s Committee, said: “Tam Thanh commune has unique natural features. It’s a coastal village with unspoiled nature and friendly people. It has favorable conditions to develop ecotourism and community tourism.”

Last June more than 100 old houses in Tam Thanh commune were repainted with beautiful murals of nature and people under “The Art for a Better Community” cooperation project between the Tam Ky Municipal People’s Committee and the Korea Foundation. Walls, fences, and entries of local houses were colorfully painted and small village roads have become picturesque. The look of the village has changed, and so has local life. More tourists are coming to see the mural village generating more income for the locals.

Do Thi Cuc is a visitor: “This idea has revitalized the village turning it into a tourist attraction. Visitors come here and enjoy the beautiful scenery.”

Following the success of the murals, more than 100 boats were painted and arranged along the road creating a 1.5 km long “boat road”, unique in Vietnam.

Phan The Hien lives in Tam Ky: “The boat road is a colorful work of art. All the boats are painted with images depicting local life and the cultural heritages of Quang Nam. “

The murals and boat road have made Tam Thanh an art village as a sustainable way to improve local living conditions. Mr. Nguyen Minh Nam said: “When we undertook the boat road project, we mobilized local people to donate their old boats, jars, and roofs. We greatly appreciated the engagement of the people of Tam Thanh and hoped they will continue to boost local tourism.”

Tam Thanh art village was officially inaugurated in June on the occasion of the 2017 Quang Nam Heritage Festival. Since then the village has received more than 40,000 visitors.