Da Nang, Sept. 26 -- In some coastal villages in central Vietnam, tourism is being built not around large resorts or major infrastructure, but around what communities already have: fish markets, fishing, local food, cultural traditions and interaction between residents and visitors.

From the Tan Thanh community tourism area in Hoi An to Tam Tien fish market in southern Da Nang, these experiences show that tourism can become more sustainable when local people directly benefit from the resources and livelihoods of their hometowns.

From fish market to tourist attraction

Every afternoon, fishing boats return to Tam Tien fish market in Tam Xuan commune, Da Nang, laden with fish, squid, shrimp and other seafood.

Once mainly a wholesale mark...