Buzz
Located 20 km west of Hanoi, Cự Đà Ancient Village in Cự Khê commune, Thanh Oai district, is a captivating destination for weekend travelers.
Embark on a Journey to Cự Đà Ancient Village for a Distinct Weekend Experience in Hanoi
Cự Đà Ancient Village is a Hanoi tourist spot catering to those who love exploring architecture, delving into Vietnamese history, discovering traditional crafts, or simply immersing themselves in the serene scenery and feeling as if time stands still.
Beyond the charming three and five-compartment houses, the ancient village boasts two-story structures with a French touch, constructed over a century ago. The village preserves ancient trees, communal houses, pagodas, village gates, and old houses, providing visitors with a sense of time reversal.
Situated along the banks of the Nhuệ River, the overall layout of the village is a testament to the ancient saying 'first near the city, second near the river.' Its strategic location facilitated easy trade, bringing prosperity and wealth to the village. The peak of its development was in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
The village's layout is intricately planned in the shape of a fish skeleton. From the main village road, dozens of small alleys branch out, leading to various hamlets. The Nhuệ River dock, once a bustling trading hub, is now adorned with two columns topped by a stone frog with a lantern, guiding boats to the shore.
Within the village, most houses adopt Western architecture, or a fusion of Eastern and Western styles.
In addition to the houses, the ancient Cự Đà village boasts numerous communal houses, pagodas, and shrines, all classified as national heritage sites.
The village is also renowned for its traditional craft of making vermicelli, attracting attention due to the daily production of 9-10 tons of vermicelli. This lively activity shapes the bustling life of the local residents.
On sunny days, the village's pathways seem to be dyed in a shimmering yellow hue from the vermicelli drying in the sun. Modified vehicles eagerly compete to transport the vermicelli for sale, maintaining the lively atmosphere of Cự Đà's vermicelli village.
As a long-established brand, Cự Đà village is also famous for its delectable soy sauce. The art of soy sauce making is intertwined with the village's history.
To achieve delicious soy sauce, numerous meticulous steps are required. The batches of glutinous rice are meticulously spread out and air-dried on each large bamboo tray, placed on racks in preparation for the soy sauce-making process. The clusters of soybeans also play a crucial role, utilizing clean tap water, with a golden hue and a shimmering surface emitting a pleasant aroma. Hence the saying, 'Soy Sauce from Cu Da, soybeans from Thuy Khe.'
As reported by Hai Quan Newspaper
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Reference: Travel Guide Mytour
MytourOctober 14, 2016
