A sampan (tam ban) is a relatively flat-bottomed Vietnamese / Chinese/ South East Asia wooden boat. Some sampans include a small shelter on board and may be used as a permanent habitation on inland waters. Sampans are generally used for transportation in coastal areas or rivers and are often used as traditional fishing boats. Sampan literally means three boards. Today, sampan may be made with more than 3 boards. This version has 7 small boards put together around a skeleton wood frame. It''s then smoothly sanded and painted in teal color. This type of boats are still used by many people in South East Asia such as Vietnam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia and China.
A sampan (tam ban) is a relatively flat-bottomed Vietnamese / Chinese/ South East Asia wooden boat.
Some sampans include a small shelter on board and may be used as a permanent habitation on inland waters.
Sampans are generally used for transportation in coastal areas or rivers and are often used as traditional fishing boats.