Thanh Chuong Tea Island is distinguished by its unusual geography. Rather than spreading across continuous hillsides, tea plantations occupy small, rounded hills surrounded by the waters of Cau Cau Reservoir. The reservoir’s water-filled valleys separate the cultivated hills into individual green islands, creating a landscape often compared to a miniature bay scattered across the countryside. The tea-covered slopes extend across the area in curved rows that follow the natural contours of the land.

Boating is an integral part of the experience, as the islands are connected by water rather than by continuous roads. Motorboats and smaller boats travel between the plantations, offering views of the tea fields from the reservoir and revealing the contrast between the bright green vegetation and calm water. Small resting shelters and lakeside facilities add to the area’s rural character, while the surrounding landscape reflects the agricultural life of western Nghe An.

Tea cultivation remains central to the identity of the area. The plantations are working agricultural land, linking the scenery to the livelihoods of local growers. The wider region is also known for traditional Nghe An specialties, including nhut Thanh Chuong, a fermented jackfruit preparation, and keo Cu Do, a peanut and malt-syrup confection. Together, the tea islands, reservoir scenery and local food traditions offer a distinctive perspective on the countryside beyond Nghe An’s coastal and historical attractions.