Quang was born and raised in Nhon Hai, a fishing village nestled beneath a crescent mountain range along the Gia Lai coast, blessed with clear, deep-blue waters.

In the memory of the young man born in 1999, Nhon Hai was once a relatively isolated fishing village where life was filled with hardship.

After completing high school, he studied abroad in Restaurant and Hotel Management for four years. During that period, Quang had the opportunity to travel extensively and experience various tourism development approaches.

Yet the further he traveled, the more he recognized the beauty of his native fishing village, filled with fascinating details to explore: the sea, mountains, Hon Kho island, and a local community that preserved traditional coastal ways of life.

Quang then wanted to build tourism in the very place he was born.

In 2022, upon returning to Vietnam, Quang initially worked in tourism within the old center of Quy Nhon City to gain practical experience. In 2024, he decided to return to Nhon Hai to develop his own business, aiming to test novel approaches that the locality had not yet seen.

However, after years living away from home, Quang had to re-acclimate to the slow rhythm of village life while learning to work alongside people across different generations, including his parents.

The older generation brought valuable experience but was accustomed to methods established over many years, whereas Quang wanted to focus on guest experience, operational efficiency, and fresh ideas. Though views occasionally conflicted, Quang chose harmony over dismissing what the previous generation had built.

Quang set out to build a homestay on his parents' coastal plot. Designed in a Santorini style with a blue-and-white color palette, the structure emphasizes open spaces that blend into nature.

Quang operates just five rooms, accommodating a maximum of 18 guests. He aims to keep the homestay uncrowded and peaceful. Beyond lodging, visitors can enjoy coffee, participate in craft-making workshops, buy souvenirs, and allow Quang sufficient time to care for every guest individually.

After about 1.5 years of operation, the homestay provides a stable income for Quang's family and offers him opportunities to meet fascinating visitors. With every arriving guest, Quang spends time chatting and introducing them to the "delightful little details of the fishing village."

Introducing the village via social media

Beyond managing accommodation services and leading tours, Quang shares stories of the fishing village on social media through the eyes of a native son raised in Nhon Hai.

In Quang's videos, alongside stunning sunrises, sunsets, check-in spots, and famous Nhon Hai experiences, he weaves in imagery of narrow alleys, lesser-known local eateries, moss-covered old houses, and the daily routines of residents.

Culinary traditions serve as one of Quang's favorite storytelling mediums. He frequently documents long-standing eateries in the fishing village featuring modest wood-fueled kitchens where diners sit on low plastic stools.

While tourists visiting Nhon Hai often know banh xeo (savory crispy pancakes) stuffed with squid and shrimp, Quang notes that banh xeo chan nuoc ca (crispy pancakes served with fish broth) is the dish truly tied to local memories.

"The fish broth is simmered from fresh sea fish, offering a naturally sweet taste. Hot banh xeo is drenched in rich fish broth and dipped in seasoned fish sauce. It is a simple dish, yet deeply intertwined with the memories and living habits of generations in Nhon Hai. I love how villagers sit together in a small corner, eating while conversing. It is an ordinary scene, yet uniquely characteristic of the fishing village," Quang said.

Beyond food, Quang tells village stories through everyday glimpses, such as a chalk-written sign outside a noodle shop reading "closed for noodle sales, owner broke an arm", moss-draped houses, a 30-year-old barbershop, rice noodle stalls, elders playing chess, and children playing by the sea.

He also acts as a tour guide, taking visitors to admire the ocean, go coral diving, explore Hon Kho, hike mountains, and learn about local life. 

Linh Trang