Fishing village launches community-based art project Tam Ky City and Tam Thanh Commune have launched a community-based art space as part of a tourism development pilot project.    Sultry seas: A mermaid painted on a bamboo boat in the fishing commune of Tam Thanh. Simply scintillating: Tam Thanh has launched a community-based tourism development project that weaves art space into community. Simply scintillating: Tam Thanh has launched a community-based tourism development project that weaves art space into community.  Vice Chairman of Tam Ky City’s People’s Committee Nguyen Minh Nam said at a press conference on Wednesday that the project is Viet 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 Quang Nam Province after UNESCO-recognised heritage sites Hoi An Town, My Son Sanctuary and World biosphere Cham Island.   Sandy soul: Tam Thanh commune beach, 10km west of Quang Nam Province’s Tam Ky City, features pristine white sands and a vibrant fishing lifestyle. Photos: Cong Thanh/VNS Project chair Le Dieu Anh 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,” Anh 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 Ky 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 Ky and Hoi An City. VNS