Duong Lam Ancient Village, a hidden gem nestled in the heart of the Doai region, is not just a tourist destination but a living museum preserving the essence of Vietnamese culture through centuries. Stepping into Duong Lam is like entering another world, where time seems to stand still, leaving behind mossy old houses, winding laterite paths, and historical stories echoing from the past. Experiencing Duong Lam Ancient Village is more than just a sightseeing trip; it’s a profound journey to explore the culture, history, and people of Vietnam, especially the traditional values that are still perfectly preserved here.
Discover the Unique Architectural Beauty of the Ancient Village
Duong Lam is one of the few ancient villages that has preserved almost entirely the traditional structure and architecture of old Vietnamese villages. The most distinctive feature of Duong Lam is laterite – a unique building material with the characteristic color of the Doai region. Laterite is present everywhere, from sturdy fences, winding stone paths, to ancient mossy houses, creating an architectural space that is both rustic, intimate, and unique and impressive.
Strolling along the narrow laterite paths, visitors will feel the peace and tranquility of the old Vietnamese countryside. On both sides of the road are ancient houses with bright red tile roofs, golden laterite walls, rows of green areca trees, and gardens shaded by trees. Duong Lam’s residential architecture is imbued with the traditional Northern style with three-compartment, five-compartment houses, curved tile roofs, ironwood columns, and spacious brick courtyards. Each ancient house in Duong Lam is an architectural artwork, a crystallization of the talent and creativity of the ancients.
The village also preserves many ancient architectural works of historical and cultural value such as Mong Phu communal house, Mia Pagoda, Tham Hoa Giang Van Minh Temple, Ngo Quyen Mausoleum, and Phung Hung Mausoleum. Mong Phu communal house, the oldest and largest communal house in Duong Lam, is where the village tutelary god is worshiped and traditional cultural and festival activities are held. Mia Pagoda (Sung Nghiem Tu Pagoda) is famous for its unique architecture and rich collection of ancient Buddha statues. These relics are not only unique architectural works but also historical witnesses, telling the story of the formation and development of Duong Lam ancient village.
Experience the Richly Traditional Vietnamese Village Tet Culture
Every Lunar New Year, Duong Lam ancient village puts on a new, brilliantly colored coat for the “Vietnamese Village Tet” festival. This annual program recreates the traditional Tet cultural space of the Northern Vietnamese countryside, attracting many domestic and international tourists to experience.
Coming to “Vietnamese Village Tet” in Duong Lam, visitors will immerse themselves in the traditional Tet market atmosphere at the yard of Mong Phu communal house. The Tet market sells all kinds of local specialties, handicraft products, and souvenirs imbued with the culture of the Doai region. Visitors can find meaningful Tet gifts, enjoy attractive street food, and feel the bustling and joyful atmosphere of the traditional Tet holiday.
The traditional Tet cultural experience space also offers unique art performances such as Quan Ho singing, Cheo singing, water puppetry, folk instrument performances, and traditional folk games. Visitors can participate in interesting experiential activities such as making Chung cake, shaping To He toys, writing calligraphy, making bamboo flutes, and enjoying green tea and Tet jam.
In particular, visitors also have the opportunity to learn about the traditional customs during Tet of Duong Lam people, such as ancestor worship, Tet greetings, age greetings, spring outings, and enjoying traditional Tet dishes such as Chung cake, Mia chicken, frozen meat, spring rolls, and bamboo shoot soup. These experiences help visitors deeply understand the traditional cultural values and national identity of Vietnam.
International visitors experiencing Banh Chung making at Duong Lam ancient village during the Village Tet program
Enjoy Duong Lam Cuisine – Flavors of Home
Duong Lam cuisine is an indispensable part of the ancient village experience journey. This place is famous for many specialties imbued with homeland flavors, prepared from fresh ingredients and traditional recipes.
Mia Chicken is the most typical dish of Duong Lam. Chickens are raised naturally in the Mia land, with firm, fragrant meat and golden skin. Mia Chicken can be processed into many attractive dishes such as boiled chicken, grilled chicken, salt-roasted chicken, and chicken stewed with Chinese medicine.
Duong Lam Soy Sauce is also a famous specialty, made from soybeans, sticky rice, and salt using traditional manual methods. Duong Lam Soy Sauce has a rich, characteristic flavor, often used to dip dishes or as a seasoning to prepare braised and stir-fried dishes.
In addition, Duong Lam also has many other rustic dishes such as Che Kho (sweet mung bean porridge), Banh Te (lean meat rice cake), Keo Doi (Doi candy), Keo Lac (peanut candy), Banh Gai (gai leaf cake), and Banh Gio (pyramidal rice dumpling). Visitors can enjoy these dishes at restaurants and eateries in the village or buy them as gifts for relatives and friends.
Discover Other Unique Experiences in Duong Lam
In addition to ancient architecture, traditional culture, and unique cuisine, Duong Lam ancient village also offers many other unique experiences for visitors.
Visitors can visit soy sauce making workshops, Doi candy making workshops, and Banh Te making workshops to learn about the traditional manual production process and purchase local specialty products.
Cycling around the village is a great way to explore the peaceful beauty of Duong Lam. Visitors can cycle on shady village roads, admire ancient houses, green rice fields, and enjoy the fresh air of the countryside.
If you love historical exploration, visitors can visit Ngo Quyen Mausoleum and Phung Hung Mausoleum, two kings who made great contributions to the nation’s history. These historical sites are not only places to commemorate the merits of heroes but also spiritual destinations attracting many visitors.
Tips for Traveling to Duong Lam Ancient Village
To have a complete and meaningful experience in Duong Lam ancient village, visitors should note a few small tips:
- Ideal time: Spring (after Lunar New Year) and autumn are the best times to visit Duong Lam. In spring, visitors can participate in the “Vietnamese Village Tet” festival and feel the traditional Tet atmosphere. In autumn, the weather is cool and pleasant, suitable for sightseeing and exploring the ancient village.
- Transportation: Duong Lam is about 50km from the center of Hanoi, visitors can travel by motorbike, car, or bus. If traveling by motorbike or car, visitors can follow Thang Long Avenue or National Highway 32. If going by bus, visitors can take bus number 70, 71, or 89 from Hanoi to Son Tay, then take a motorbike taxi or taxi to Duong Lam.
- Accommodation: Visitors can choose to stay at homestays in the ancient village to experience the daily life of local people. In addition, Son Tay also has many hotels and guesthouses with various price ranges.
- Dining: Visitors should enjoy Duong Lam specialties at restaurants and eateries in the village. In addition, Duong Lam market fair is also an ideal place to enjoy street food and buy specialties.
- Clothing: You should choose comfortable, polite clothes suitable for sightseeing and walking. If visiting historical sites, temples, you should choose discreet and elegant clothes.
Duong Lam ancient village is not only an attractive tourist destination but also a precious cultural and historical space, where visitors can return to their roots, discover traditional values, and enjoy the simple beauty of the Vietnamese countryside. Experiencing Duong Lam ancient village will surely be a memorable and meaningful journey in every visitor’s heart.