Locations
Preservation of traditional salt field associated with community tourism in Pho Thanh ward, Duc Pho town, Quang Ngai province
Preservation of traditional salt field associated with community tourism in Pho Thanh ward, Duc Pho town, Quang Ngai province
February 10, 2025
Sa Huynh Salt Field is located in Pho Thanh Ward, Duc Pho Town, covering an area of 29.73 square kilometres. As of 2022, the ward has a population of 25,608 people in 9 residential groups. Encompassing 115 hectares, Sa Huynh Salt Field is home to 550 households engaged in salt production.
In 2022, the average annual income for residents of Pho Thanh Ward was 42.5 million VND, with salt production playing a significant role in the local economy. The traditional Sa Huynh salt fields boast a rich history, culture, and tradition. The saltmaking profession has been passed down through generations, with salt farmers deeply connected to their fields. This has fostered a unique salt culture, characterized by songs praising salt, temples honoring the profession's ancestors, and annual rituals on the 15th day of the 7th lunar month to express gratitude to the pioneers who reclaimed the salt fields. These elements collectively define the distinctive cultural identity of Sa Huynh saltmaking.
The Sa Huynh salt fields have become a symbol of Sa Huynh, a source of local pride. Beyond salt production, they serve as a habitat for diverse flora and fauna, including birds, fish, shrimp, crabs, fir trees, dung trees, nails, seaweed, algae, and microorganisms.
The salt fields are intricately linked to the salt marsh and mangrove forest ecosystems, fostering biodiversity and supporting the livelihoods of local residents. Birds feed on aquatic life in the water-filled ditches, while young aquatic species from salt marshes find refuge and nourishment in the salt fields during the rainy season. These ecosystems also offer opportunities for off-season aquaculture, such as shrimp and oyster farming. Moreover, the traditional Sa Huynh salt fields play a crucial role in flood prevention.
Sa Huynh salt farmers continue to employ traditional methods of salt production on natural soil, resulting in high-quality salt with a distinctive flavor. This approach also minimizes plastic waste and has a positive environmental impact. Sa Huynh salt products, including ground salt and salt flowers, are highly valued and sought-after by consumers nationwide.
Preserving the traditional Sa Huynh salt fields is essential for environmental protection, sustainable resource management, and the well-being of salt farmers. By safeguarding these fields, we can maintain water quality, enhance salt quality, and adapt to the challenges of climate change.
