An Ancient Village Emerging on the Tourism Map
Nestled on the coastal hills of Sa Huynh – Quang Ngai, the ancient fishing village of Go Co is quietly gaining attention as a model of community-based tourism that preserves cultural integrity while creating new livelihoods for local residents. Though it has only recently appeared on the tourism map, the village retains its simplicity and remains largely untouched.
Where History Lives Through Daily Life
Go Co offers a peaceful setting far removed from the pace of urban life. Its thatched-roof houses and earthen walls carry layers of history spanning 2,500 to 3,000 years, from the Sa Huynh culture through the Champa kingdom to the early Dai Viet settlers. Daily life continues much as it always has, with fishing, farming, and salt making forming the rhythm of the community. On the sandy shore, residents still weave nets in preparation for their next journey to sea.
Community Tourism that Preserves Heritage
The establishment of the Go Co community tourism cooperative has transformed fishermen, farmers, and salt makers into homestay hosts, local guides, and performers of traditional bài chòi folk games. Instead of commercial restaurants, visitors share family meals featuring dishes prepared with local ingredients such as fresh seafood, vegetables, and cassava.
Villagers maintain their homes using traditional methods, rebuilding earthen walls and thatched roofs while tending to gardens and hedges. Some families have even created small private museums to safeguard cultural artifacts. Despite investment proposals from outside developers, residents remain committed to preserving their ancestral land. “Here, people don’t compete but share so everyone benefits,” one villager shared.
Nature, Stone, and a Landscape Shaped by Time
Sunrise over Go Co Beach reveals the village at its most serene. The landscape is shaped by stone formations estimated to be 400 million years old, and stone appears everywhere: in pathways, fences, terraced fields, and ancient wells. Nearly a dozen of these wells are still in use today, providing fresh water.
The village is also renowned for its traditional salt-making craft on stone beds, a practice dating back to the Sa Huynh and Champa periods. Produced in small quantities, the salt is treasured as a cultural legacy rather than a commodity. Rarely commercialized, it is often shared as a symbolic gift, representing human warmth and deep cultural meaning.
A Community-Centered Tourism Model
Local authorities report that 90 percent of tourism revenue goes directly to households, with the remainder allocated to public services and community management. Future plans aim to position Go Co as a model of cooperation among researchers, government agencies, businesses, and local residents.
A Candidate for Global Recognition
In 2025, Go Co will represent Vietnam as one of six villages nominated for the “Best Tourism Villages” award by UN Tourism (UNWTO). With its cultural depth, natural landscape, and strong commitment to sustainability, Go Co offers visitors both a retreat from urban life and a meaningful look into how rural communities can thrive through heritage-based tourism.
Australian Hospitality Alumni Network Vietnam 