According to legend, a long time ago, 15 fairies descended from heaven and fell in love with the beauty of Tien Phuoc, a small village in Vietnam’s Quang Nam province. They were so enamored with the setting that they hid from the Jade Emperor so that they could stay. Fast forward to modern times, and Vivu Journeys, a member of Thien Minh Group (TMG), is showcasing the timeless beauty of this “Land of 15 Fairies” to international visitors to South Central Vietnam.
Located in central Quang Nam province, Tien Phuoc is about 30km west of the town of Tam Ky, 60km northwest of Chu Lai Airport, and approximately 60km southwest of Hoi An. This “fairyland” is home to beautiful natural landscapes, including mountains, forests, plains, rivers, and streams. In this gorgeous setting, Vivu Journeys offers cycling tours around the area, including to the ancient village of Loc Yen, for visitors to experience the beauty of this very special region.
According to oral stories passed down from generation to generation, once upon a time 15 fairies came down from heaven and landed in the area of Tien Phuoc. They were so captivated by the natural springtime beauty of the area and its lovely people that they could not leave, even though the Jade Emperor summoned them back to heaven. In the end, the Jade Emperor allowed the fairies to remain on Earth, and where they settled became the 14 communes and towns of Tien Ky in Tien Phuoc district. Down to this day, this area is still known as the “Land of the 15 Fairies,” where each locale has the word “tien” or “fairy” in its name.
Led by Vivu Journeys guides, visitors are regaled with fascinating stories of this area as they cycle through stunning landscapes. For example, Tien Ha is said to be home to some of the most beautiful girls in the region because its people often bathe in the prettiest section of the Tien River, which flows from east to west, and Tien Lanh is where the tastiest chickens are raised as they’re able to feast on many types of insects. Tien Chau is a watery wonderland that’s home to Tien Stream, a 7-storey waterfall, and picturesque rocky beaches. Tien Canh has several places with strong feng shui significance, prized in Asian culture, with names such as “two dragons fighting a buffalo”, “heaven’s palace”, and “mountain fortress”. Because of this, the people of Tien Canh are famed for being skilled strategists and practitioners of martial arts, where hundreds of village boys once participated in a month-long martial arts festival. Tien Tho is said to have the longest-lived population, whereas the primal landscapes of Tien An feels like a miniature version of “Jurassic Park”.
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As one of the first tour operators to guide international visitors around Tien Phuoc, Vivu Journeys and Thien Minh Group are proud to introduce foreign travelers to the life and legends of the people of this area.
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Founded in December 1916 under French rule, Tien Phuoc is home to many old houses, most notably in the ancient village of Loc Yen. The ancient architecture and amazing wood carving skills of the villagers can be found in more than 20 houses that are between 100-150 years old, and the solid stone walls erected from the many rocks and boulders in the area. Strolling along the labyrinthine pathways lined by stone walls, visitors can’t help but marvel at the ingenuity and craftsmanship of the people of Tien Phuoc. Seeing these ancient villages and touching the stone walls worn by time and the elements, surrounded by green forests, visitors will be able to understand why those fairies were so smitten with the beauty of this area that they dared to defy the Jade Emperor in order to remain.
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If home is intrinsic to Vietnamese life and culture, mealtimes are no less important. That’s why Vivu Journeys offers guests the opportunity to cook with local families. For Vietnamese people, lunchtime is an occasion for the whole family to gather together after a morning of work in the fields. There is time to chat, gossip, and rest before returning to work in the fields and gardens.
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There’s no better way to immerse yourself in the rural way of life in the ancient village of Loc Yen than to stand in the kitchen, leaning over a wood stove, coughing and eyes slightly burning from the smoke, and sampling what you’ve helped make — a pot of bitter melon soup stuffed with pork and jackfruit! For millions of Vietnamese people, the kitchen is also a sacred space for another reason. It’s considered where the fire of family happiness is kept. So when visitors are welcomed into a Vietnamese kitchen, they can feel the warmth emanating not just from the wood fire, but from the hearts of the hosts themselves.
In addition to simple family meals and cups of bitter tea that typically end a meal, visitors to Tien Phuoc can also expect to hear stories from Vivu Journeys guides about the area’s war heroes, such as Huynh Thuc Khang and Phan Chau Trinh. In the past, this region served as a strategic base during two wars against French colonialism and American imperialism. It’s said that if you haven’t learned about the history and culture of Tien Phuoc, you can’t really say you’ve visited here!
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Because of its history, Tien Phuoc is also home to a handful of wartime sights, such as the Tien Ky Communal House and underground tunnels that played a role in Vietnam’s revolutionary days. Sitting down and enjoying a meal with a local family, cycling around the lanes bordering the rice fields, visitors will see why the residents fought so hard to preserve their peaceful homeland, filled with life’s simple things like rice fields and water buffalo.
Combining a visit to a rural village with a luxe beach resort stay
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About an hour’s drive from Tien Phuoc, the premium beach resort club ROBINSON NAM HOI AN, a luxe property from Thien Minh Group, is also popular with visitors to Tien Phuoc. Boasting 5-star standards, ROBINSON NAM HOI AN offers a refined stay for beach lovers who love an active life. The resort is a favorite among travelers to the Nam Hoi An (south Hoi An) area of Quang Nam province for its blend of scenic natural beauty and the charming people and way of life in Tien Phuoc with the comfort and modernity of ROBINSON NAM HOI AN.
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The partnership between Thien Minh Group and Tien Phuoc is an example of how the private and public sectors can work together to achieve socio-economic development through tourism, to create sustainable growth for the local community, which is mostly agricultural. The resort also presents an opportunity for Thien Minh Group, the Tien Phuoc region, and Quang Nam province to showcase the “Land of 15 Fairies” to the world, in line with the green tourism movement, as well as promote the larger province of Quang Nam.
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With Vivu Journeys, Thien Minh Group, local government, and residents all helping to preserve Tien Phuoc’s rustic identity, the area is on its way to becoming an appealing tourist destination for both domestic and foreign visitors.
Tien Phuoc has enormous potential, especially in the areas of ecotourism, cultural tourism, and resort travel. With local authorities and residents working closely with green tourism businesses such as Vivu Journeys and Thien Minh Group, Tien Phuoc will no doubt become a sought-after destination for visitors looking to learn about community culture.
Looking ahead, the beauty of the “Land of 15 Fairies” will no longer be confined to local legends but will be why visitors flock to this unique destination just waiting to be explored and experienced.
For more information about ROBINSON Nam Hoi An and its diverse services, please contact: Hotline: 0235 2222 222
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://www.robinson.com/en/en/resort-holiday/vietnam/nam-hoi-an/
For more information about Vivu Journeys, a member of Thien Minh Group (TMG), please contact: Hotline: (+84) 91 233 94 23
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.vivujourneys.com
Established in 1994, TMG has grown from a company with just three employees to an enterprise with more than 2,500 employees worldwide. Thien Minh is now Asia’s leading package travel provider, founded on the mission of always putting our clients front and center. With four business pillars: Destination Management, Hospitality, Online, and Aviation – TMG is the ideal host for distinctive journeys featuring truly memorable travel experiences.
