Da Nang fishing village draws visitors with mossy rocks, ancient traditions, fish sauce coffee

With a history spanning more than 700 years, Nam O village in Hai Van Ward offers visitors a blend of rustic seaside charm and cultural heritage. 

One of its main draws is the Nam O rocky beach, where moss-covered stones dot the shoreline, especially vibrant between February and March when the rocks are blanketed in lush green algae. 

During this time, the beach becomes a magnet for tourists and photographers seeking dramatic, painting-like landscapes.

Each season brings a different face to the coast. 

In September, when the tide recedes, dark volcanic rocks jut out in jagged lines across the emerald waters, forming a natural path that invites visitors to explore and pose for photos.

"I saw Nam O on social media and decided to visit this summer," said Trinh Thi Thu Uyen, a tourist from northern Ninh Binh Province. 

"The scenery is peaceful and romantic. 

"The waves crashing on the mossy stones are just beautiful. 

"I'll definitely come back during the moss season."

Beyond the scenery, everyday moments in the village offer their own quiet appeal. 

Visitors can watch local fishermen mend nets or row woven basket boats — a snapshot of Vietnam's coastal life that many find soothing.

"Watching life here helps me forget the stress of work," said Le Thi Nuon Tha, a visitor from neighboring Hue City.

But Nam O's legacy extends far beyond its photogenic shoreline. 

The village is also famed for its traditional fish sauce, a practice passed down through generations for more than 400 years. 

Recognized as national intangible cultural heritage, Nam O fish sauce is made using anchovies from the Tho Quang fishing port and salt from Sa Huynh, fermented in clay jars for up to 15 months.

The product's deep, savory flavor is a point of pride for locals — and now, it is even being reinvented.

Bui Thanh Phu, the owner of Huong Lang Co fish sauce workshop, has taken the local specialty in an unexpected direction by creating fish sauce coffee — a blend of Vietnamese roasted coffee, creamy foam, and a dusting of concentrated fish sauce powder made from Nam O's prized anchovy sauce.

"The powder has a mild, pleasant taste without the strong smell of regular fish sauce," Phu explained. 

"It softens the coffee's sour aftertaste and adds a rich, unique flavor."

With its blend of natural beauty, culinary innovation, and a commitment to cultural preservation, Nam O continues to welcome visitors from around Vietnam and beyond — drawn by both its past and creativity in the present.