QUẢNG NAM — Tam Kỳ City and Tam Thanh Commune have launched a community-based art space as part of a tourism development pilot project.

Vice Chairman of Tam Kỳ City’s People’s Committee Nguyễn Minh Nam said at a press conference on Wednesday that the project is Việt Nam’s first to weave art space into community lifestyle.

Nam said the fishing village, with population of 6,000, is known nation-wide and by foreign tourists for the murals project in Trung Thanh hamlet.

The village was decorated with colourful murals on moss-covered walls by the Korea Foundation Community Art Exchange Programme.

“The mural commune of Tam Thanh sparked the idea to build an art space in the community as a base for tourism development. The art space – offering painting workshops and decorating houses and fences – will attract tourists looking to explore the village culture and lifestyle,” Nam said.

Volunteers and art college students started creating the art space last year, making the village into a favourite eco-tour site in Quảng Nam Province after UNESCO-recognised heritage sites Hội An town, Mỹ Sơn Sanctuary and World biosphere Chàm Island.

Project chair Lê Diệu Ánh said the space is the first-ever project developed from ideas and consensus from local people.

“We try to bring artists who can create on fishing tools, walls, public works and fishing boats. Community art space is lacking in most Vietnamese rural villages,” Ánh said.

She added that the art tourism boost has given locals work opportunities in home-stay, cuisine, fishing products and bike keeping.

Vice chairman of Tam Kỳ City said bus routes, infrastructure and tour services will be revved up this June.

The commune has a 6km pristine coastline and a tranquil environment, and tourists can easily connect with Tam Kỳ and Hội An city. — VNS