Discover the Top 10 Most Unusual Villages in Vietnam

Embark on a culinary adventure in the quaint village of Edible Insects in Tay Nguyen

Have you ever tasted dishes made from insects? In Tay Nguyen, dining on bugs is not just a trend but a solution to pest problems. Originating from the need to combat crop-damaging insects, a peculiar village in Tay Nguyen devised a method to eradicate the pests without using pesticides. They transformed these critters into delectable dishes, offering a variety of preparations such as steaming, frying, sautéing, and grilling. Each dish is a unique culinary experience.

Unveiling the village built from shattered pottery mixed with the sweetness of honey

For generations, the residents of Tho Ha village, Viet Yen district, Bac Giang province, have been renowned for their traditional pottery craftsmanship passed down through their ancestors. To economize, they ingeniously utilize broken and damaged small pottery pieces to construct walls. The intriguing twist is that these small, cracked pieces are hollow inside, serving as dwelling places for numerous swarms of bees. These industrious insects make their homes within the pottery walls, creating a unique coexistence with humans. Surprisingly, the villagers embrace this peculiar arrangement, viewing the bee colonies as friendly companions. As a result, an unwritten village rule emerged, declaring that households with resident bees are not allowed to harvest honey or attempt to relocate the bee colonies elsewhere.

Known as the 'gigantic village,' Dinh Trang hamlet in Lam Ha commune, Phu Ly, Hà Nam is renowned for its unusually tall residents. The mystery behind this phenomenon remains unsolved. On average, women in the village are about 1.7m tall, and men are 1.8m tall, a height that is the envy of everyone. Interestingly, the famous volleyball player of the Vietnamese national team, Ngô Văn Kiều, hails from Dinh Trang village.

Not far from the center of Hanoi, there's a famous village named Da Chat in Dai Xuyen, Phu Xuyen. What makes it extraordinary is that all the villagers use a unique language known only to the locals. Therefore, when entering the village, you need an interpreter to understand what they are saying. This adds an intriguing aspect, making many people curious to visit. The reason behind this unique language dates back to the village's skilled artisans who crafted millstones. They wanted to keep the secrecy of their profession, so they created a distinct language, which is still passed down to this day.

Despite the ravages of war, every place carries the painful loss of lives and possessions. Surprisingly, during the wartime, Tan Lap village in Tan Trao commune, Son Duong district, Tuyen Quang province, sent 104 young men to the battlefield and miraculously didn't lose a single soul. There were only 2 wounded soldiers and 2 war invalids. The villagers attribute this to the protective spirits, ensuring the safety of their descendants. Since then, the village is known as the village without fallen heroes. Today, Tan Lap village stands as a historical monument within the cluster of Special National Historical Sites.

With over 10% of the villagers suffering from neurological disorders, Chua hamlet in Loc Tien commune, Phu Loc district, Thua Thien Hue province has left many experts baffled, unable to find a logical explanation. This figure is significantly higher than the average population ratio in a district. Currently, the prevalence of mental health issues persists despite suggestions for the villagers to relocate. However, they resist and choose to stay rooted in the village.

Whether it's the fertile soil, favorable climate, or some peculiar reason, the winter melons in Chanh Trach village, Phu My, Binh Dinh never fail to astonish and intrigue. These winter melons can only be described as 'gigantic.' Typically weighing between 40 - 50 kg, some even reach nearly a ton. Hence, the enormous winter melons are considered a renowned specialty of the region.