The sight of a horse-drawn carriage with the sound of clattering hooves may seem like a relic of the past, but in Nha Trang, there is a rustic charm where you can experience tranquility while leisurely strolling through the countryside.
Embark on a journey to explore the outskirts of Nha Trang by horse-drawn carriage.
Approximately 7 kilometers from Nha Trang lies the ancient village of Phu Vinh, nestled alongside the Cai River, where only one horse-drawn carriage remains, reminiscent of the cultural and historical heritage of this land.
Phu Vinh Ancient Village is situated in Vinh Thanh commune, about 7 km west of downtown Nha Trang. It is an essential stop for all travelers opting to explore the outskirts of Nha Trang.
Here, hidden beneath the canopy of ancient trees, are houses that are over 200 years old, and the lives of the locals exude a profound sense of peace and tranquility.
The last owner of the horse-drawn carriage in the ancient village is Mr. Nguyen La. I believe this 60-year-old man is also a 'historical figure' of the village, having over 45 years of experience as a horse carriage driver and currently the only 'master driver' still making a living by ferrying visitors on the old horse-drawn carriage.
Mr. La said: 'My family's livelihood mainly depends on the wages from driving the horse-drawn carriage. Depending on the demand of travel companies, there are usually only about 2-3 trips per day, so the standard of living is only below average, but we are very happy to interact with many people, introducing visitors from near and far to the ancient heritage of our village.'
Mr. Nguyen Dinh Muoi, an independent tour guide, shares: 'Foreign tourists love to explore Phu Vinh Ancient Village by horse-drawn carriage. The relaxing feeling of sitting on the small carriage, counting the time passing by the sound of horse hooves clattering on the village road, makes many people excited to come back.'
The cost for each horse-drawn carriage tour of the ancient village lasts about half an hour, ranging from 120,000 to 150,000 Vietnamese dong. Distant guests are willing to spend a small amount of money to get a new perspective and a fresh feeling. Indeed, if a travel company invests a small amount of money for Mr. La to take care of both the horse and carriage, leisurely strolling through the outskirts of Nha Trang on the rustic carriage will be promoted as a true countryside tourism product. That's also how the ancient village becomes more attractive in the eyes of tourists.
According to Lao Dong Newspaper
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Reference: Travel Guide from Mytour
MytourOctober 15, 2015