Duong Lam Ancient Village, a hidden gem nestled in the heart of Hanoi, is not just a tourist destination but a journey back in time, returning to the unique cultural space of the Northern Vietnamese countryside. Here, ancient houses nestled under the shade of banyan trees, next to clear wells and mossy communal houses, offer a sense of peace and tranquility, a stark contrast to the bustling pace of city life. Let’s explore the exciting and unique things that await you in this ancient village.
Introduction to Duong Lam Ancient Village
Duong Lam Ancient Village, a cultural treasure located about 50km west of Hanoi’s city center, proudly holds the title of Vietnam’s first ancient village recognized as a National Historical and Cultural Relic in 2006. This title not only affirms the unique architectural and artistic values but also honors the profound cultural and historical values that this village preserves. Duong Lam is not just a simple rural village; it is also a land of “genius and outstanding people,” the birthplace of two national hero kings: Phung Hung and Ngo Quyen. Therefore, Duong Lam attracts visitors not only by its ancient beauty but also by its heroic historical stories and unique Confucian cultural relics.
Panoramic view of Duong Lam ancient village from above
Location and How to Get to Duong Lam Ancient Village
Duong Lam Ancient Village is located in Son Tay town, Hanoi city, right at the intersection of the Ho Chi Minh road and National Highway 32, making it convenient for visitors to travel from the center of Hanoi. You can easily choose various means of transportation to reach Duong Lam:
- Motorbike: This is an ideal means of transport for those who love freedom and exploration. Just follow National Highway 32, and you will enjoy the peaceful countryside scenery along the way.
- Bus: Bus routes No. 70 (Kim Ma – Son Tay), 71 (My Dinh – Son Tay), and 77 (Ha Dong – Son Tay) all have stops at Son Tay bus station. From here, you can take a taxi or motorbike taxi to reach the ancient village. Buses are an economical and safe option, especially suitable for those who want to avoid dust and traffic jams.
- Private car or taxi: If you are traveling with family or a group of friends, a private car or taxi is a comfortable and quick choice. The road to Duong Lam is quite easy to navigate and has many signposts.
History and Culture of Duong Lam Ancient Village
Duong Lam is not just an ordinary ancient village but also one of the cradles of Vietnamese culture. The history of the village’s formation and development is associated with the Red River Delta civilization, which is thousands of years old. This place is also mentioned in the legend of Son Tinh – Thuy Tinh, and Mia village nearby is rumored to be the maternal homeland of the Trung Sisters.
The most special feature of Duong Lam is the title “one commune, two kings,” the birthplace of Phung Hung and Ngo Quyen, two heroes who made great contributions to the history of nation-building and defense. Moreover, Duong Lam is also the hometown of many other famous figures such as Giang Van Minh, Kieu Oanh Mau, Phan Ke Toai, Ha Ke Tan, Phan Ke An…, who have made significant contributions to the country in various fields.
Unique Architecture of Duong Lam Ancient Village
Duong Lam architecture bears the strong imprint of a traditional Northern Vietnamese village, with laterite stone – a type of stone characteristic of the Son Tay region – as the main building material. Laterite stone not only creates a unique, cozy beauty but also provides durability for the architectural works here.
When you come to Duong Lam, you will easily notice the outstanding architectural features such as:
- Bright red tile roofs: Houses with bright red tile roofs and dark yellow laterite stone walls, nestled under the shade of green trees, create a peaceful and charming rural scene.
- Winding alleys: Small, deep alleys, built of brick and stone, weaving between houses, create a quiet space and a strong ancient feel.
- Mossy village gate: Mong Phu village gate is a typical symbol of Duong Lam, with ancient, mossy architecture, bearing the mark of time.
- Ancient communal houses and pagodas: Mong Phu communal house and Mia pagoda are famous spiritual architectural works, with unique architecture and great historical and cultural value.
Exploring the Beauty of Duong Lam Ancient Village: A Detailed Itinerary
To fully explore the beauty of Duong Lam Ancient Village, you should spend at least one day visiting and experiencing it. Below is a suggested detailed itinerary:
Mong Phu Village Gate – Symbol of Duong Lam
Mong Phu village gate is not just the entrance to the village but also a cultural and historical symbol of Duong Lam. The village gate is built in traditional architecture with red tile roofs and laterite stone walls, possessing an ancient and majestic beauty. The image of the village gate ajar, surrounded by green bamboo groves, creates a peaceful, secluded space, reflecting the self-sufficient life of the ancient villagers.
Ancient Mong Phu village gate with distinctive laterite stone architecture
Mong Phu Communal House – Preserving the Soul of Culture
Mong Phu communal house is the cultural and religious center of the village, where the village tutelary god Tan Vien Son Thanh and other deities are worshiped. The communal house is not only a place for traditional festivals but also a place for community meetings and activities. The architecture of Mong Phu communal house bears the strong artistic style of the 17th century, with sophisticated carvings, showing the talent of ancient artisans. The communal house currently preserves many precious artifacts such as imperial decrees, palanquins, worshiping objects, horizontal lacquered boards, parallel sentences, especially the horizontal lacquered board “Dũng – Cảm – Khả – Tưởng” (Bravery – Courage – Ability – Remembrance) bestowed by King Thanh Thai.
Ancient architecture of Mong Phu Communal House with mossy tile roof
Centuries-Old Ancient Houses – Witnesses of History
Duong Lam is famous for its centuries-old houses, built in traditional architecture with laterite stone, wood, and red tiles. Each ancient house has its own beauty, preserving unique historical and cultural stories. Some typical ancient houses you should visit:
- Old house of Mr. Hung: Nearly 400 years old, owned by Mr. Nguyen Van Hung’s family, impressing with its 5-compartment 2-lean-to architecture, laterite stone gate, and ancient interior space.
- Old house of Mr. The: Over 300 years old, with 13 generations living there, considered a symbol of ancient Duong Lam. The house retains its original architecture and building materials, especially famous for its traditional sticky rice sauce.
- Old house of Mrs. Dien: 200 years old, bearing the mark of time with moss, old tiles, and ancient decoration style, reminiscent of Vietnamese rural life.
When visiting these ancient houses, you will not only admire the unique architecture but also learn about family history, customs, and the daily life of ancient Duong Lam people.
Ancient and mossy look of a nearly 400-year-old house
Mong Phu Parish Church – A Unique Architectural Imprint
Mong Phu parish church is a prominent religious architectural work in the ancient village of Duong Lam. Although not as old as the purely Vietnamese ancient houses, the church has a unique architectural beauty, harmoniously combining Western style and Vietnamese traditions. Seen from above, the church stands out among the bright red tile roofs of the village, creating an impressive architectural highlight.
Mong Phu parish church with unique architectural beauty
Experiencing Unique Cuisine in Duong Lam
Coming to Duong Lam, you will not only explore the ancient beauty but also enjoy specialties imbued with the flavor of the Northern Vietnamese countryside. Duong Lam cuisine is not only delicious but also contains unique cultural and historical values. Some specialties you should not miss:
- “Thịt quay đòn” (Roasted pork roll): The most famous dish of Duong Lam, with a distinctive delicious flavor, crispy skin, and tender, savory meat.
- “Gà hấp mía” (Steamed chicken with sugarcane): Free-range chicken steamed with sugarcane, retaining its natural sweetness, tender and fragrant chicken meat, and attractive golden skin.
- “Chè lam” (Sweet sticky rice cake): A traditional sweet soup of the Northern Vietnamese countryside, with a mild sweet, chewy, and fragrant taste of sticky rice, ginger, peanuts, and sesame. Duong Lam “chè lam” comes in many varieties such as traditional “chè lam”, gac “chè lam”, and young rice “chè lam”.
- “Tương nếp” (Sticky rice sauce): Duong Lam sticky rice sauce is famous for being fragrant and savory, made according to the traditional method of Mr. The’s family. You can buy sticky rice sauce as a gift or enjoy it with local dishes.
- “Bánh gai” (Gai cake): Duong Lam “bánh gai” has a distinctive black color, chewy and fragrant, with sweet and savory green bean filling, a meaningful rural gift.
- “Cá kho tương” (Fish braised with sauce): Savory and delicious braised fish, braised with Duong Lam sticky rice sauce, bringing the characteristic flavor of the Northern Vietnamese countryside.
- “Cơm sen” (Lotus rice): Fragrant and refreshing rice, cooked with lotus rice and fresh lotus seeds, usually enjoyed in the summer.
Duong Lam "Thịt quay đòn" – a famous specialty
Accommodation in Duong Lam Ancient Village: Homestays and Local Experiences
To fully experience the peaceful atmosphere and explore deeper into Duong Lam culture, you should choose to stay at homestays in the village. Homestays in Duong Lam are often designed in the traditional ancient house style, offering a cozy space close to nature. Some homestays loved by tourists:
- Duka Homestay: Lovely homestay with green, quiet space, bringing a wonderful relaxing feeling.
- Elephant House – Duong Lam Homestay: Homestay with unique architectural style, combining classic and modern features, with many good amenities and services.
- Duong Lam homestay – House Number 9: Homestay located in an ancient house, with a strong traditional feel, giving you the experience of local life.
In addition, when staying at a homestay, you also have the opportunity to participate in local experience activities such as: cycling to explore the village, learning how to make sticky rice sauce, participating in cooking classes for Duong Lam specialties, cultural exchanges with local people…
Tips and Notes When Exploring Duong Lam Ancient Village
To make your trip to explore Duong Lam Ancient Village more complete, you should note a few things:
- Ideal time to visit: Autumn (September – November) and Spring (February – April) are the best times to visit Duong Lam. The weather at this time is cool and pleasant, suitable for sightseeing and exploration activities.
- Entrance fee: The entrance fee to Duong Lam Ancient Village is 20,000 VND/adult and 10,000 VND/child.
- Means of transportation: You can rent a bicycle or electric car to move around the village. Bicycle rental price is about 50,000 VND/bike, electric car is about 50,000 VND/person.
- Dress code: You should choose comfortable, polite clothes, suitable for the cultural and historical space of the ancient village. If you want to take beautiful photos, you can rent “ao dai” or traditional costumes in the village.
- Luggage: You should bring a hat, sunscreen, drinking water, and some necessary personal items.
- Cultural notes: When visiting historical sites, communal houses, pagodas, and churches, you should maintain a respectful attitude, do not make noise, and do not litter indiscriminately.
Conclusion
Duong Lam Ancient Village is not only an attractive tourist destination but also a place that preserves precious cultural and historical values of the nation. Exploring Duong Lam will bring you memorable experiences, help you better understand Vietnamese rural culture, find peace in your soul, and cherish traditional values more. If you are looking for a destination near Hanoi to “escape” the noise of the city and immerse yourself in a cultural space rich in national identity, Duong Lam Ancient Village is definitely a perfect choice. Come and feel the unique, simple beauty of this ancient village!