There is a quieter side of Hoi An waiting just beyond the Ancient Town.
Instead of old yellow houses and lantern-lit streets, you will find green vegetable gardens, small country paths and local farmers working in the fields.
This is Tra Que Vegetable Village, located about 3 kilometers from Hoi An Ancient Town.
For centuries, local families have cultivated vegetables and herbs here, creating a farming landscape that has become an important part of Hoi An’s countryside and food culture.
A village shaped by vegetables and herbs
Tra Que is known for growing a wide variety of leafy vegetables and aromatic herbs.
More than 20 types of vegetables and herbs are cultivated in the village, with local farmers using crop rotation and intercropping techniques.
The result is a landscape that feels very different from the busy center of Hoi An.
Walk along the small paths between the gardens and you will see rows of fresh vegetables, farmers tending their crops and a peaceful countryside atmosphere.
It is a simple experience, but that simplicity is exactly what makes Tra Que special.
Try being a farmer for a day
One of the best ways to experience Tra Que is not simply to walk around the village, but to take part in the farming activities.
Depending on the experience you choose, you may have the opportunity to help prepare the soil, plant vegetables, water the crops and harvest fresh produce.
You do not need to be an experienced farmer.
The idea is simply to slow down, get your hands into the soil and experience a small part of everyday life in the countryside around Hoi An.
After spending time in the fields, you may discover that even simple activities such as watering vegetables can become a memorable travel experience.
From the garden to the kitchen
Tra Que is also closely connected with Hoi An’s food culture.
Fresh herbs and vegetables from the area are traditionally used in local dishes, adding fragrance, freshness and texture to the food.
For visitors who want a more hands-on experience, some local activities also combine farming with cooking classes.
You can learn how local ingredients are prepared and used to create familiar Vietnamese dishes before sitting down to enjoy the meal you have helped prepare.
It is a wonderful way to understand that in Hoi An, food does not begin in the kitchen.
Sometimes, it begins in the garden.
What should you try in Tra Que?
While visiting the village, look for local dishes and drinks that make use of the area’s fresh ingredients.
One dish particularly associated with Tra Que is Tam Huu, a simple roll made with shrimp, pork and basil, wrapped together with green onion and served with a sweet and sour dipping sauce.
You can also enjoy local specialties such as Mi Quang and other Vietnamese dishes accompanied by fresh Tra Que herbs.
When should you visit?
If you want to enjoy the village at a comfortable pace, morning is a good time to visit.
You can explore the gardens while the day is still relatively cool, take part in farming activities and then continue your Hoi An journey with lunch.
A simple itinerary could be:
Morning:
Ride to Tra Que → explore the vegetable gardens → experience farming activities.
Late morning:
Join a cooking experience or relax around the village.
Lunch:
Enjoy local Vietnamese dishes with fresh herbs and vegetables.
Afternoon:
Return to Hoi An Ancient Town, visit another nearby attraction or continue exploring the countryside.
A different kind of Hoi An experience
Hoi An is famous around the world for its historic architecture.
But if you only spend time in the Ancient Town, you are seeing just one part of Hoi An.
Tra Que offers something different.
It is quieter.
It is greener.
And it gives you a chance to see where some of the fresh ingredients behind Hoi An’s famous food culture come from.
So when you visit Hoi An, don’t just walk through the old streets.
Take a bicycle or a short ride into the countryside.
Visit Tra Que.
Walk between the vegetable gardens.
Meet the local farmers.
And take a little time to experience the slower side of Hoi An.