Vietnam, a country rich in history and culture, is not only famous for its majestic landscapes but also captivates visitors with the ancient, serene beauty of its old towns. Here, time seems to slow down, preserving the golden memories of a bygone era, and offering unique, unforgettable experiences to anyone who sets foot here. Exploring the most beautiful ancient towns in Vietnam is not just a simple trip, but also a journey back to the roots, discovering profound cultural and historical values.
1. Dong Van Ancient Town: Majestic Beauty Amidst the Ha Giang Stone Plateau
When mentioning the most beautiful ancient towns in Vietnam, Dong Van Ancient Town, a precious gem hidden in the Dong Van Stone Plateau, Ha Giang, cannot be missed. Located at an altitude of 1000 to 1600 meters above sea level, Dong Van Ancient Town appears as a vibrant highlight amidst the majestic, pristine mountains. This place is not only a trading center but also a cultural meeting point for the Mong, Tay, Hoa, Dao, and Nung ethnic groups.
Dong Van ancient town exudes ancient and serene beauty amidst the mountains of Ha Giang.
Formed in the early 20th century, Dong Van Ancient Town bears the unique architectural imprint of the stone plateau region. Houses with yin and yang tiled roofs and winding stone paths all create an ancient, peaceful space. Here, visitors can easily encounter images of old people sitting in front of their houses, children playing in the streets, or street vendors with all kinds of local products.
Ancient houses nestled under limestone mountains create a peaceful and tranquil scene in Dong Van ancient town.
Especially every weekend, the Dong Van market becomes bustling and lively with the colorful traditional costumes of ethnic groups. Visitors will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the festive atmosphere, enjoy local specialties such as Thang Co, Men Men, corn wine, and shop for unique souvenirs.
2. Hanoi Old Quarter: The Soul of the Past in the Heart of the Capital
Hanoi Old Quarter, the heart of the thousand-year-old capital, is one of the most beautiful ancient towns in Vietnam, preserving unique historical and cultural values. Located in the east of Thang Long Imperial Citadel, Hanoi Old Quarter today belongs to Hoan Kiem district, an unmissable destination for visitors to Hanoi.
Hanoi Old Quarter preserves the ancient beauty of bygone years, bearing strong historical and cultural imprints.
With an area of about 100 hectares, Hanoi Old Quarter includes 76 streets, each with its own unique characteristics, associated with the history of formation and development of traditional craft villages. The streets often have names starting with “Hang” (meaning “goods”), such as Hang Bong (Cotton Street), Hang Dao (Silk Street), Hang Gai (Hemp Street), Hang Ma (Paper Street), Hang Tre (Bamboo Street), Hang Thiec (Tin Street), and more. Strolling on these small streets, visitors will feel the slow, peaceful pace of life, in contrast to the noise and bustle of the modern city.
Hanoi Old Quarter is divided into many different streets, each with its own unique characteristics.
Not only a place to preserve tangible cultural values, Hanoi Old Quarter is also a place to preserve intangible cultural values, such as customs, traditional festivals, and unique cuisine. Here, visitors can enjoy famous dishes such as Pho, Bun Cha, Bun Thang, Com (young rice flakes), O mai (salted dry apricot), and participate in cultural activities such as watching water puppetry, listening to Ca Tru, and Hat Xam singing.
3. Hoi An Ancient Town: Romantic Beauty by the Hoai River
Hoi An, one of the most beautiful ancient towns in Vietnam and recognized by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage Site, is a destination that captivates visitors with its ancient, romantic, and peaceful beauty. Located along both banks of the poetic Hoai River, about 30 km southwest of Da Nang city, Hoi An Ancient Town is a living museum of architecture, culture, and history.
Hoi An ancient town is one of the most beautiful ancient towns in Vietnam and Asia, attracting tourists with its ancient and romantic beauty.
Built from the 16th century, Hoi An was once a bustling trading port, a place of commerce for merchants from all over the world. To this day, Hoi An still retains its unique architecture, a harmonious combination of Vietnamese, Chinese, Japanese, and European styles. Ancient houses with bright red tiled roofs, small winding alleys, and mossy yellow walls all create an ancient, nostalgic space.
Small and pretty streets and corners in Hoi An offer visitors interesting and unforgettable experiences.
When visiting Hoi An, tourists can stroll along the small streets, admire the ancient houses, and visit historical sites such as the Japanese Covered Bridge, Tan Ky Old House, and the Fujian Assembly Hall. Especially in the evening, Hoi An Ancient Town becomes shimmering and magical with brilliant lantern lights, creating a romantic and poetic space. Visitors can release lanterns on the Hoai River, enjoy local specialties such as Cao Lau, Com Ga (chicken rice), Mi Quang (Quang noodles), and shop for exquisite handmade souvenirs.
4. Bao Vinh Ancient Town: Imprints of an Old Trading Port by the Perfume River
Bao Vinh Ancient Town, located north of Hue Citadel, about 3 km from the city center, is one of the most beautiful ancient towns in Vietnam, bearing the strong imprint of a once-bustling trading port. Bao Vinh was once an important trading place for merchants from Japan, China, Macau, India, and Europe. This place is also famous for its brick, tile, and inlay making villages.
Bao Vinh ancient town has ancient and peaceful beauty by the poetic Perfume River.
However, due to historical upheavals, Bao Vinh Ancient Town gradually lost its traditional crafts. Despite this, local people still try to preserve the rows of houses and windows as a way to remember the golden age of centuries ago. Thanks to preserving that beauty, Bao Vinh Ancient Town was chosen as the setting for the movie “Dreamy Eyes” (“Mat Biec”).
Bao Vinh ancient town was the setting for the famous movie "Dreamy Eyes", bringing visitors indescribable emotions.
Today, Bao Vinh Ancient Town still retains its ancient architecture, with mossy tiled houses and stone-paved roads. Coming here, visitors will feel the peace and tranquility, in contrast to the noise and bustle of the city. Visitors can stroll along the small streets, admire the ancient houses, and learn about the history and culture of the ancient capital land.
Conclusion
The most beautiful ancient towns in Vietnam are not only attractive tourist destinations but also invaluable cultural heritages that need to be preserved and promoted. Each town has its own unique beauty and historical story, but they all share a common value: the connection between the past and the present, between tradition and modernity. Take the time to explore these ancient towns to feel the beauty of Vietnam, a country rich in cultural and historical identity.