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In addition to its cultural significance, the ancient village is renowned for its unique traditional architecture. Characterized by houses made of wood and walls of honeycomb stones, each stone weighing nearly 20 kilograms is excavated from underground, cut into square blocks, and then used to construct the houses. Despite their rugged appearance, these honeycomb stone walls help keep the houses cool in summer and warm in winter. Currently, there are still 956 ancient honeycomb stone houses in Duong Lam waiting for you to explore.
Where is Duong Lam Ancient Village? Guide to Getting to Duong Lam Ancient Village
The ancient village is located in the outskirts of Hanoi, only about an hour's drive from the city center to Duong Lam. If you're not familiar with this destination, follow the details below to find out how to get to Duong Lam!
1. Visiting Duong Lam Ancient Village by Private Vehicle
- Car: From Hanoi, take Highway 08 (Hoa Lac) to Quoc Oai, then turn onto National Highway 32, and drive about 10km further to reach Duong Lam Ancient Village.
- Motorcycle: From Hanoi, head towards Thang Long Avenue, turn right at the Hoa Lac intersection, then continue on Route 21 to reach the ancient village. Along the way, there will be signposts directing you, so you can travel with peace of mind!
2. Getting to the Ancient Village by Public Transport
- Intercity Bus: In Hanoi, there are several bus companies operating from Hanoi to Duong Lam. You can catch buses with routes like My Dinh - Phu Tho at bus stations such as My Dinh, Yen Nghia, Giap Bat, etc.
- Bus to Duong Lam Ancient Village: This is a mode of transport chosen by many young people for its convenience and cost-saving. To get to the ancient village, you need to catch one of the bus routes: 89 from Yen Nghia to Son Tay bus station, 73 from My Dinh to Thay Pagoda, and 71 from My Dinh to Son Tay bus station. Ticket prices range from 9,000 to 20,000 VND per ticket.
- Taxi: If you want to travel quickly and save time, you can choose to take a taxi to the ancient village. Taxi fares range from 8,500 to 12,000 VND per kilometer. However, you should still inquire about the fare and travel route with the driver before departure!
- Car Rental: If you want the freedom to plan your travel itinerary but don't have a vehicle, you can consider self-drive car rental services from Klook.
Tips for Independent Exploration of Duong Lam Ancient Village
For a convenient and hassle-free experience exploring Duong Lam Ancient Village independently, you can refer to the following tips from Klook to prepare for your journey.
Opening Hours and Entrance Fees for Duong Lam Ancient Village
To start your journey of exploring Duong Lam Ancient Village, you first need to know the village's opening hours. The ancient village is open from 8 am to 5 pm daily, including holidays. To visit many attractions within the village, it's advisable to arrange your schedule to arrive here early to have more time.
The entrance fee to the ancient village is 20,000 VND per person. For those needing parking, the motorcycle parking fee is 10,000 VND per trip. Within the ancient village, there are bicycle rental services for convenient transportation. The hourly rental rate ranges from 30,000 to 50,000 VND, while the full-day rental rate is from 80,000 to 100,000 VND.
Affordable Homestays & Hotels in Duong Lam Ancient Village
Typically, if you want to explore all of Duong Lam, your travel itinerary here usually lasts for two days. Therefore, preparing accommodation near the ancient village area is essential. Below are some accommodation options suggested by Klook:
1. Elephant House - Duong Lam Homestay
This homestay is only a 4-minute walk from the ancient village, saving you travel time. Some amenities here include: garden view, free wifi, free parking, air-conditioned rooms, and breakfast service.
- Address: 44 Cam Thinh Street, Duong Lam Commune, Son Tay.
2. Duong Lam Homestay - House Number 9
Conveniently located homestay for travelers, just a 7-minute walk from the ancient village. Some amenities for guests here include: garden, fully equipped wardrobe, ensuite bathroom with a shower,...
- Address: Alley 7b, Lane 6B, Mong Phu, Duong Lam, Son Tay.
3. Mô he
Although quite far from the ancient village, a 21-minute drive, this is still a unique guesthouse for you. The guesthouse is built in the style of Tay ethnic houses, with a very poetic decoration style. Some amenities at this guesthouse include: garden, bar counter, veranda, lake view, wifi, free parking, and breakfast provided.
- Address: Provincial Road 416, Kim Son, Son Tay.
4. Tomodachi Retreat - Jackfruit Village
This is an ideal resort for you and your family, only a 28-minute drive from the ancient village. The space here is designed to be spacious, close to the beautiful surrounding nature. You can enjoy many convenient services here such as: restaurant, outdoor swimming pool, bar, terrace, free bicycles, airport shuttle, and breakfast service.
- Address: Truong Lang Hamlet, Co Dong Commune, Son Tay.
What to Do in Duong Lam Ancient Village? Travel Activities in Duong Lam Ancient Village Hanoi
With hundreds of years of history, Duong Lam Ancient Village boasts many unique attractions, creating an ideal space for you to explore and experience. Pocket these prominent destinations you shouldn't miss when traveling to Duong Lam Ancient Village!
1. Duong Lam Village Gate
Duong Lam Village Gate, also known as Mong Phu Village Gate, marks the starting point for exploring the ancient village. The village gate was built in 1833, with architectural style from the late Le dynasty. The layers of honeycomb stones are meticulously cut and constructed to create an arch gate with antique beauty. Accompanying the village gate is a 300-year-old banyan tree. Sitting under the banyan tree, you can enjoy the cool breeze and feel the peaceful atmosphere as if you were back in ancient times.
2. Duong Lam Ancient House
Within Duong Lam Ancient Village, ancient houses are cultural treasures worthy of appreciation. Among them, the Bà Điền ancient house, over 200 years old, is an unmissable destination if you want to learn about the traditional culture of the ancient Northern region. The moss layers on the walls, the broken tiles, and the faded colors all create a beauty that blends the old with the new.
In addition, the decoration style of Bà Điền ancient house is deeply ancient. Every detail, from the entrance, windows, walls, to the ceiling, is meticulously decorated, bringing a sense of tranquility and peace. Stepping in here, you will feel like you are back in ancient times, when life was simple, connected with culture and tradition.
3. Mia Pagoda in Duong Lam Ancient Village
In the journey to explore Duong Lam Ancient Village, Mia Pagoda (Sung Nghiem Tu) is a spiritual attraction not to be missed. With hundreds of ancient statues preserved from ancient times, this pagoda attracts many monks and tourists to visit.
Mia Pagoda was built a long time ago, and was renovated in 1632 by a concubine of Trinh Lord - Ngo Thi Ngoc. Later, people gave her the title “Lady Mia” and sculpted her statue for worship in the pagoda. Until now, the pagoda still remains intact as when Lady Mia created it. Many tourists come here to pray for luck and admire the impressive architecture of the pagoda.
4. Mông Phụ Communal House
Within the ancient village of Duong Lam lies a architectural marvel named Mông Phụ Communal House, a particularly special destination due to its antiquity. This communal house impresses as one of the oldest communal houses in the Son Tay region, with a history spanning 380 years.
Stepping into Mông Phụ Communal House, visitors will immediately sense the solemnity of time through the moss-covered walls and simple, humble roof. The communal house bears the mark of Vietnamese Muong architecture, with wooden floors raised above the ground. The structure of the communal house is divided into several areas, including: Nghi Mon, the communal courtyard, the Left Mac and Right Mac buildings, along with the central Great Hall. The ancient horizontal lacquered boards, dating back hundreds of years, add to the historical and dignified atmosphere of the communal house.
5. Phùng Hưng Communal House
During our nation's resistance against foreign domination, the name of the hero Phùng Hưng became extremely famous. Not only an outstanding warrior king, he also symbolized the patriotism and courage of the Vietnamese people. To commemorate and honor this hero, many Phùng Hưng temples have been built across the country, including a prominent communal house in Duong Lam Ancient Village. The Phùng Hưng Communal House in Duong Lam Ancient Village is not only an architectural structure of historical value, but also a sacred place for remembrance and offerings to him.
6. Ngô Quyền Temple and Mausoleum
7. Ngô Quyền Temple and Mausoleum
The Ngô Quyền Temple and Mausoleum is a must-visit spot when you come to explore Duong Lam Ancient Village. Situated on Forbidden Hill, this temple complex creates a serene and peaceful atmosphere. It was constructed to commemorate and honor the great king's significant contributions to the country.
Despite its small size, this place is always meticulously cared for, shaded by lush green trees and precious flowers. Regardless of the season, you can enjoy the cool and harmonious space, along with the sacred feeling when stepping into this place.
Dining Experience in Duong Lam Ancient Village, Hanoi
- Duong Lam Ancient Village in Hanoi is renowned not only for its ancient architecture and traditional culture but also for attracting visitors with delicious and unique local dishes. Don't forget to note down the following dishes to savor when visiting the ancient village!
Roasted Pork Rolls: Pork prepared using intricate traditional methods, bringing a rich and fragrant flavor. This is a famous specialty dish in Duong Lam that you shouldn't miss.
Banh Te: Often found on the dining tables of Son Tay locals, Banh Te is a sought-after delicacy for many visitors to the ancient village.
Bamboo Shoot Sweet Soup: Made from glutinous rice flour, peanuts, arrowroot, fresh ginger, Bamboo Shoot Sweet Soup is a specialty cake of Hanoi. The sweet, fragrant, and chewy taste of the cake will leave a lasting impression.
Sugar Cane Chicken: When in Duong Lam, the land of the two kings, you should not miss the opportunity to enjoy Sugar Cane Chicken. It used to be a tribute to the king, because of its beautiful appearance like a phoenix.
In addition to the above dishes, Klook has compiled 24 delicious Hanoi dishes that will make you crave for you to have more culinary choices when traveling here!
To buy meaningful gifts for your loved ones, you can consider the following items:
- Fish Sauce: Duong Lam Ancient Village is famous for producing traditional fish sauce. With a unique unforgettable flavor, fish sauce is an ideal gift to bring home for your loved ones.
- Keo Doi Candy: Each crunchy white candy roll with fragrant peanut filling inside is a familiar dish of people in the North. This is a compact and suitable gift to bring back and share with friends and family.
- Gai Cake: Gai Cake is made from glutinous rice flour, pork, green beans, and sesame. All ingredients are wrapped in gai leaves, steamed to create a specialty cake in Duong Lam.
- Painting of Duong Lam Ancient Village: Paintings of Duong Lam Ancient Village often depict the beauty of Vietnamese countryside with traditional architecture and stunning landscapes. A painting of Duong Lam Ancient Village will be a wonderful gift to decorate your living space for you and your loved ones.
Throughout centuries, Duong Lam Ancient Village has maintained the traditional way of life of the people. Ancient stories and profound cultural values are still transmitted and preserved. Not only a famous tourist destination, the ancient village in Duong Lam is a vivid image of the connection between the past and the present, where tourists can feel the vitality of cultural heritage right in the capital city.
To discover more attractive destinations, you can also refer to 20 Hanoi tourist attractions for independent travelers. Or you can visit the Travel Blog of Klook to update more attractive tourist destinations in Vietnam and around the world: Ho Nui Coc Thai Nguyen Lake, Ba Vi National Park, Dai Lai Lake, Ho Chi Minh Museum, Famous Hanoi Temples, Ngoc Son Temple, Yen So Park, Resorts near Hanoi, Do Son Beach, Ta Xua, Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Bao Son Paradise Park, Bat Trang Ceramic Village,...
Welcome to visit Duong Lam Ancient Village!
