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Serenity, antiquity, and breathtaking beauty are the impressions of many travelers when first setting foot in the ancient villages of Hanoi.
Discover 4 enchanting ancient villages worth exploring during your Hanoi journey
Ancient village Duong Lam
Duong Lam ancient village is located more than 50km from the center of Hanoi, in Son Tay town. It is an ancient village with many old red-tiled roofs. Here, many people will be surprised to learn that some houses in the village are over 300 years old.
Duong Lam ancient village captivates tourists with its cobblestone streets, unique honeycomb stone walls, communal yard wells, and elegant temples. Moreover, this is also the land of the 2 Kings, with 2 temples dedicated to Phung Hung and Ngo Quyen. Here, you can combine exploring the ancient village with the Old Citadel of Son Tay, which is about 3km away from the ancient village.
Travelers can visit Duong Lam ancient village at any time of the year, but if you come here in the rice ripening season of September or May, you will marvel at the village lanes covered with golden rice, providing ample opportunities for photography and enjoyment.
Directions:
By bus
You can reach Duong Lam by taking the following bus routes:
From My Dinh bus station to Son Tay bus station, take bus route number 71
From Kim Ma bus station to Son Tay bus station, take route number 70
From Ha Dong bus station to Son Tay bus station, take bus route number 77
Upon reaching Son Tay bus station, you can take a motorbike taxi or taxi to enter the ancient village.
Personal transportation
From Hanoi, traveling by motorcycle or car to Duong Lam is simple and convenient. There are two routes for you to choose from:
– From Hanoi, take Thang Long Avenue to Hoa Lac intersection, then turn right onto Route 21, pass through Son Loc to the intersection with Route 32, where there are signs leading to Duong Lam ancient village.
– From Hanoi, head towards Nhon, follow Route 32 up to Son Tay town, reach the intersection with Route 21, and there will be a turn to the entrance gate of Duong Lam village on the left side of the road.
Cu Da Village
Cu Da ancient village is a destination in Hanoi for those who love exploring architecture, want to learn about Vietnamese history, traditional craft villages, or simply come here to immerse their souls in a peaceful scenery, feeling as if time has stood still.
Located 20 km west of Hanoi, Cu Da ancient village in Cu Khe commune, Thanh Oai district, attracts tourists on weekends.
Not only featuring houses with three or five spans, Cu Da ancient village also has two-story houses built in a French style over a hundred years ago. The village still retains ancient trees, communal yards, pagodas, village gates, and old houses, creating a feeling of time reversal for visitors.
In addition to the houses, Cu Da ancient village also has many communal yards, pagodas, and shrines, all of which are nationally ranked historical relics.
Directions:
Travel from the center of Hanoi to the intersection of Nguyen Trai – Khuat Duy Tien. Follow Nguyen Xien, then turn right at Kim Giang Street, along the canal. When you reach the intersection of Phan Trong Tue – Kim Giang, go straight over Huu Hoa Bridge, then turn left along the Nhue River. Pass through the villages of Huu Chung, Huu Thanh Oai, Phu Dien to reach Cu Da (about 3 km from Huu Hoa Bridge). The village has a gate and a sign that says “Cu Da Communal Temple”.
Uoc Le Village
Located in Tan Uoc commune, Thanh Oai, Hanoi, the ancient Uoc Le village is renowned for its traditional sausage-making craft since ancient times. However, the village also boasts distinctive architecture of ancient Vietnamese villages, with a 'high and deep wall' village gate, ancient houses, communal roofs, and a market area that have preserved their original appearance for hundreds of years.
When visiting Uoc Le, you also have the opportunity to learn about the traditional craft of the village. The famous sausage not only serves as a delicious dish but also embodies the village's culture, entwined with the historical stories of the locals.
Directions: From Hanoi, take Nguyen Trai Street straight towards Ha Dong direction, follow Quang Trung Street to the Ba La intersection, then turn left onto National Road 21B towards Van Dinh. Continue for about 16 km to the Vac intersection, in Dan Hoa commune, turn left and travel about 5 km through Tri Le village, then turn right to reach Uoc Le village.
Dong Ngac Village
Dong Ngac Village, also known as Ve Village or Ke Ve in Nom script, is situated along the banks of the Red River, near the foot of Thang Long Bridge. The village showcases the ancient charm of its tiled, sloping alleyways. Many visitors are pleasantly surprised to find that, despite being only about 10 km from the capital's center, the village has retained the traditional beauty of rural Vietnamese villages.
When visiting Dong Ngac, tourists will also be introduced to the ancestral temples of the Phan, Pham, Hoang, Do, Nguyen lineages, where descendants carefully preserve valuable artifacts.
Directions: From the center of Hanoi, follow the Au Co dyke road to the base of Thang Long Bridge. After crossing 20 meters, you'll encounter Ve Temple (or Dong Ngac Temple) on the left side of the road. The village has multiple gates, with the easiest access being either the gate next to the temple or the one near Dong Ngac Secondary School.
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Reference: Travel guide from Mytour
MytourNovember 28, 2016
