Cau Hai Lagoon – A Must-Stop From Hue To Hoi An

General Information

Dubbed the masterpiece of nature, Cau Hai Lagoon not only brings the wild beauty of nature but also impresses with the simple life of the locals here.

Cau Hai Lagoon Hue - Phong Nha Private Car

Cau Hai Lagoon is a large brackish lagoon in the Tam Giang – Cau Hai lagoon system in Thua Thien Hue province. The entire system has 3 lagoons, namely Tam Giang Lagoon, Thuy Tu Lagoon, and Cau Hai Lagoon.

It is located in the Phu Loc district, about 40km from Hue city center. This lagoon connects to the East Sea through the Tu Hien estuary, in Vinh Hien commune, Phu Loc district. The east of the lagoon is surrounded by mountains separating it from the sea, the west is a plain – populated by fishing villages.

Sunrise On Cau Hai Lagoon - Phong Nha Private Car

How to get to Cau Hai Lagoon?

Cau Hai Lagoon Hue is in the middle of the most beautiful central heritage road. So to admire the natural beauty of the lagoon and daily local life, you should book our Hue to Hoi An private car, Da Nang airport to Hue private car, or Hoi An to Dong Hoi private car. You can ask our driver to stop at Cau Hai Lagoon to admire the beauty and take photos.

Cau Hai Lagoon - Phong Nha Private Car

What Makes Cau Hai Lagoon Beautiful?

Cau Hai Lagoon Hue possesses the beauty of vast and vast nature, with mountains, waves, sky, and clouds; along with ordinary human life. The locals here, in addition to farming, mostly follow the profession of fishing with boats on the lagoon.

Cau Hai Lagoon Vietnam - Phong Nha Private Car

Because it is located at the end of the Tam Giang – Cau Hai Lagoon System, most of the brackish water aquatic products here were dubbed the “best” in Vietnam under the Nguyen kings.

Outside Tu Hien Estuary, to the left (in the direction of water pouring into the sea) is Vinh Hien Beach. This is a beautiful beach with a gentle shore, clear water, and white and fine sand; suitable for swimming.

Currently, Vinh Hien Beach is still very deserted, unspoiled, and almost has not been invested in tourism infrastructure, with only a few rest and dining facilities during the day. However, this is a potential destination in the future.

Tu Hien Estuary - Vinh Hien Beach - Phong Nha Private Car
Vinh Hien Beach – Phong Nha Private Car

Daily Local Life

The people who work as fishermen have a life associated with the boat on the water. Fishing time usually takes place at night. From late afternoon the fishermen board the boat, often they go with the family and the boat is their small portable house.

The fishing boats are large motorboats with roofs, anchored far from the shore. To get there, people use small boats with poles or rowing hands.

Local Life On Cau Hai Lagoon - Phong Nha Private Car

Best Time To Visit

Sunset on Cau Hai Lagoon is one of the most beautiful moments of the day. When dusk fades, the darkness spreads and there is a quiet space covered, only by the calm water surface with a few boats resting.

Sunset On Cau Hai Lagoon - Phong Nha Private Car

A new day at Cau Hai starts at around 3 AM, with a daily fish market on the wharf. The family members of the fishing boats and small businesses are present very early to wait for the fishing boat to return at night. The market is not only a seafood market but also a place to supply food and essential items for fishermen.

Early Morning On Cau Hai Lagoon - Phong Nha Private Car
Early morning on the lagoon – Phong Nha Private Car

Most of the shoppers are women with their own baskets, pots, and rackets… They seem ready to pick up the freshest seafood on the boats. In a moment, the wharf was crowded with people, a new day really begins in the morning sunshine.

Fresh Fish Market - Phong Nha Private Car
Fresh Fish Market – Phong Nha Private Car

About 2km west of Vinh Hien fish market is Tuy Van Mountain, 60m high. On the mountain, there is an ancient temple called Thanh Duyen Pagoda. The pagoda was built in the 17th century under the Nguyen Lords.

In the 19th century, Minh Mang Emperor of the Nguyen rebuilt it on a larger scale. His restoration made it the National Pagoda. Then, after many excursions, Thieu Tri Emperor ranked Tuy Van Mountain as the 9th out of the 20 most beautiful landscapes in Vietnam.

Lagoon of Cau Hai Hue - Phong Nha Private Car

Phong Nha Private Car has provided some information about Cau Hai Lagoon. We hope that you get useful news and have a great time in central Vietnam. Thanks for reading.