In the middle of Thanh Hoa’s mountains and forests, there is a strange stream called Cam Luong God Fish Stream (Thanh Hoa). Here, thousands of fish gather and swim in the clear water all year round without anyone daring to catch them, because it is associated with the sacred legend of the Muong people. The wild beauty combined with the mysterious story has turned God Fish Stream into a unique destination, attracting tourists on their journey to explore the land of Thanh.
A small stream contains great things
The magical fish stream is located in Cam Luong commune, Cam Thuy district, about 80km from Thanh Hoa city. From afar, this is just a small stream, about 100m long, less than 5m wide, with clear, cool water that never dries up all year round. But the special thing is under the water: thousands of large and small fish swim together, the big ones can be up to a meter long and weigh more than 30kg.
They have a strange shape, a head as big as a snake’s, a body like a carp, a flat tail, and scales that shine in the sunlight. People call them divine fish – a fish that no one dares to catch, no matter how hungry, because of a strong belief that this is a sacred animal of the mountains, forests, and streams.
The Divine Fish and the Sacred Curse
Local people pass on many strange stories about the divine fish stream. One story says that long ago, this area suffered from drought, the villagers were starving, until a strange old man appeared, pointed to the foot of Truong Sinh Mountain and told the villagers to dig a well. From there, water gushed out, a stream was formed, and a school of fish appeared.
From then on, this area had favorable weather and good crops. People believed that fish were the embodiment of gods, messengers protecting the land’s dragon veins. Anyone who caught or killed fish would encounter bad luck. The story seemed to be just a legend, but there were a few strangers who tried to catch fish and had bad luck. Since then, despite the increasing number of tourists, the school of fish still swam leisurely in the stream, unafraid of people and uncaught.
Experience the magic
Visitors come to the magical fish stream not only to see the fish, but also to enjoy the fresh air and experience a land that still has its own identity. The space here is quiet, the trees are green, the sound of the stream is mixed with the sound of wind chimes and the laughter of children from the nearby village. You can step onto the small bridge across the stream to see the school of fish from above, or sit on the bank, soak your feet in the cool water while hundreds of big fish swim right under your feet.
Near the stream there is also a shrine to the sacred fish, where people burn incense to pray for peace and good crops. A few more stone steps leads to the sacred fish cave – a small cave located in Truong Sinh mountain, associated with an ancient legend, the place considered the source of the sacred stream.
The way to the sacred fish stream
From Thanh Hoa city, you can follow National Highway 217 towards Cam Thuy, then turn onto Provincial Road 519 for about 3km to reach Cam Luong commune. The road is well-renovated, suitable for both motorbikes and cars. Near the stream, there is a parking lot and small restaurants serving local dishes, especially grilled stream fish dishes – however, of course, no one dares to take fish from the sacred stream to cook.
A gift of nature and spirituality
The Cam Luong sacred fish stream is not as grand, splendid or bustling as many other tourist destinations. But it is the tranquility, mystery, and the deep connection between nature – people – indigenous beliefs that make this place an unforgettable stop. It is a place where people come to quietly watch the water flow through the ages, and to silently thank the sacred things that are preserving the harmony of this land every day.
