Phu Thuong, a suburban area of Hanoi, has long been known not only for its rich history and unique cultural traditions but also as a famous craft village with vibrant flower fields. Here, the peacefulness of the countryside blends with the bright colors of flowers, creating a captivating scene. Exploring Phu Thuong, visitors not only admire the beauty of the flowers but also have the opportunity to learn about the unique cultural and historical values preserved by the locals for generations.
Phu Thuong Flower Village: Where Love for Flowers Blossoms
Phu Thuong is not just a place name, but also a symbol of the love for flowers and the skillful hands of Hanoi people. For generations, this land has been famous for its traditional flower growing, supplying the capital with fresh flowers, especially during holidays and Tet. The flower fields stretch out, interspersed with winding village roads, creating a peaceful and poetic space, completely different from the hustle and bustle of the city.
Phu Thuong sticky rice embodies Hanoi's refined culinary culture
The people of Phu Thuong do not only grow flowers for economic purposes, but also put their hearts and passion into them. They meticulously care for each flower plant, from selecting seeds, nurturing seedlings, until the flowers bloom, showing off their colors under the sunlight. It is this dedication and love for the craft that has created high-quality flower gardens, contributing to beautifying life and bringing stable income to the flower village residents.
Phu Thuong Flower Season: The Ideal Time to Explore
Each season of the year, Phu Thuong puts on a different vibrant flower coat. However, the best time to explore Phu Thuong flower village is probably before and during the Lunar New Year (Tet). This is when flowers bloom in competition, from peach blossoms, chrysanthemums, lilies, violets to other traditional flowers of the North.
In the days leading up to Tet, the atmosphere in Phu Thuong becomes more bustling than ever. Flowers fill the roads and alleys, and the fragrant scent of flowers spreads throughout the space. People from all over flock to Phu Thuong to choose the most satisfactory peach branches and chrysanthemum pots to decorate their homes, preparing to welcome Tet. This is also when Phu Thuong flower village becomes an attractive destination for tourists, especially those who love photography and want to learn about traditional craft village culture.
Besides spring, Phu Thuong also has other flower seasons that are equally beautiful. In the summer, lotus and water lily ponds bloom, bringing a delicate and gentle beauty. In autumn, golden chrysanthemum fields stretch out, creating a romantic and warm scene. No matter what time of year you come to Phu Thuong, you will find the unique and charming beauty of this flower village.
Experience Unique Culture and Cuisine in Phu Thuong
Not only famous for flowers, Phu Thuong is also a land rich in cultural and historical traditions. This village has a long history, with many historical and cultural relics such as Phu Gia communal house, which worships Thanh Hoang Lang Tran Khai Nguyen, a talented general under King Hung the 6th. Phu Gia communal house festival is held on the 8th day of the first lunar month every year, which is an important cultural event, attracting a large number of people and tourists to participate.
Various types of Phu Thuong sticky rice, including sesame, peanut, corn, and five-color sticky rice
Coming to Phu Thuong, visitors also have the opportunity to explore the famous Phu Thuong sticky rice village. Phu Thuong sticky rice is not just a dish, but also a distinctive culinary culture of Hanoi. With the main ingredients being sticky rice and sticky rice grown on the fertile alluvial soil of the Nhi Ha River, Phu Thuong sticky rice has a special delicious flavor, soft and rich. You can enjoy many different types of sticky rice in Phu Thuong, from xoi xeo, xoi lac, xoi vo, xoi ngo, xoi gac to five-color sticky rice, each type has its own unique and attractive flavor.
Especially, during the Phu Gia communal house festival, visitors will enjoy traditional steamed sticky rice, an indispensable dish in this festival. Phu Thuong steamed sticky rice is not only delicious but also carries deep spiritual meaning, expressing the people’s desire for a prosperous and abundant life.
Phu Thuong Steamed Sticky Rice Festival: The Beauty of Traditional Culture
The steamed sticky rice festival is one of the unique and distinctive cultural features of Phu Thuong village. This festival is usually held within the framework of the Phu Gia communal house festival, on the 9th day of the first lunar month. This is a highly community-based activity, demonstrating the skillful hands, sophistication and solidarity of the people of Phu Thuong village.
During the festival, teams from hamlets in the village will compete in steaming sticky rice. To prepare for the competition, people must choose the best sticky rice grains, wash the rice thoroughly, and steam the sticky rice using traditional methods on a wood stove. Steamed sticky rice not only needs to be delicious and soft but also beautiful, showing the skill of the steamer. The judges will evaluate the sticky rice based on many criteria such as softness, aroma, color, shape and presentation.
The steamed sticky rice festival is not only a talent contest, but also an opportunity for the people of Phu Thuong to show their respect for Thanh Hoang Lang, praying for a new year of favorable weather, bumper crops, and a prosperous and happy life. This is also an opportunity for visitors to discover and experience the unique traditional cultural features of the Vietnamese countryside.
Explore Phu Gia Communal House: A Sacred Historical and Cultural Relic
Phu Gia communal house is one of the important historical and cultural relics of Phu Thuong. This communal house is not only a place to worship Thanh Hoang Lang Tran Khai Nguyen but also a center of cultural and religious activities of the village community. Phu Gia communal house bears the traditional architecture of Northern Vietnamese communal houses, with sophisticated carvings, showing the talent and creativity of ancient artisans.
Phu Gia communal house festival held annually is a major cultural event, including many traditional rituals such as the god worshiping ceremony, water procession ceremony, steamed sticky rice festival, along with cultural and artistic activities, and unique folk games. The water procession ceremony is one of the most important rituals of the festival, expressing the people’s gratitude for the water source, the source of life for humans and all things. The water procession will go from Phu Gia communal house to the Red River wharf to fetch water for the ceremony, praying for favorable weather and good harvests.
Coming to Phu Gia communal house during the festival, visitors will not only immerse themselves in the solemn and sacred atmosphere of traditional rituals but also have the opportunity to participate in fun and entertainment activities, learn about the history, culture and people of Phu Thuong.
Suggested Itinerary for Exploring Phu Thuong Flower Village
To have a complete and meaningful trip to explore Phu Thuong flower village, you can refer to the following suggested itinerary:
Morning:
- Arrive in Phu Thuong early in the morning to enjoy the fresh air and admire the beauty of the flowers when they are still covered in morning dew.
- Visit famous flower gardens in the village, take souvenir photos with the vibrant flower fields.
- Learn about the flower planting and care process of local people.
- Visit Phu Gia communal house, learn about the history and architecture of the communal house, and explore the sacred and ancient space.
Noon:
- Enjoy the unique cuisine of Phu Thuong, especially the famous Phu Thuong sticky rice.
- Have lunch at local eateries, experience the rustic and cozy flavors of the countryside.
Afternoon:
- Participate in local cultural experience activities (if there are festivals or special events).
- Shop for Phu Thuong specialties such as sticky rice, fresh flowers, and handicraft products as souvenirs.
- Relax at a village-side cafe, overlooking the peaceful and poetic countryside scenery.
Note:
- It is best to go to Phu Thuong during the flower season for the best experience.
- You should bring a camera to capture beautiful moments at the flower village.
- You should wear comfortable clothes, suitable for moving and sightseeing.
- You should respect the culture and customs of the locality.
Conclusion
Phu Thuong flower village is not only an attractive tourist destination for the beauty of flowers but also a place to preserve the precious traditional cultural values of the nation. Exploring Phu Thuong, visitors not only admire the beautiful natural scenery, but also have the opportunity to learn about the history, culture, cuisine and people here. Come to Phu Thuong to feel the peace, relaxation and discover the unique beauties of the Vietnamese countryside.