Located 44 km away from Hanoi, Duong Lam village is the ideal destination if you want to escape the busy city life and enjoy the tranquillity of the countryside. This place is known for its well-preserved old houses, brick streets, and traditional aspects of the northern Vietnamese rural culture.
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1. Where is the ancient village of Duong Lam?
Duong Lam ancient village is in Son Tay District, Hanoi, just 44 km from the city centre. Duong Lam is known as "the land of the two kings" because it was the hometown of Ngo Quyen and Phung Hung, who were early kings of Vietnam in the past. Today, Duong Lam village still has the typical features of a Vietnamese northern village, including village gates, banyan trees, a water pier, a communal courtyard, and 956 traditional old houses. In 2006, Duong Lam became the first ancient village in Vietnam to be recognized as a National Historical and Cultural Relic.
This is the most ancient village gate remaining till now (Source of photo: Pham Ngoc Diep)
2. The right time to visit the ancient village of Duong Lam
You can go to the ancient village of Duong Lam at any time of the year. However, festival season and ripe rice season are the best times for a trip.
Festival season
The festival season in Duong Lam village happens every year during the first lunar month. The most important festival, known as the traditional Mong Phu village festival, takes place from the 4th to the 10th of January in the Lunar calendar. During this festival, the villagers hold a ceremony at the oldest village communal house to honour Thanh Hoang, the protective deity of the village. The ceremony involves processions with palanquins and offerings of pigs and chickens. After the ceremony, the villagers enjoy participating in various folk games like human chess, regular chess, chicken fights, and blindfolded duck catching. These activities create a joyful and lively festive atmosphere.
Six days later, the Dong Sang village festival is held. People gathered to pray for peace and a bountiful harvest. The festival had lots of fun activities like lion dances and a water procession. The water procession began at the village communal house and went all the way to the Red River with dragons, horses, and flags. It lasted almost a whole day. If you visit Duong Lam during this festival, you can experience the vibrant festival atmosphere and try unique dishes that are only available during this time.
Rice harvest season
During May and June every year, when the rice fields are fully ripe, lots of tourists visit this place. The streets of Duong Lam are filled with ripe rice and dried straw, creating a calm, pleasant smell and peaceful village scenery that is rarely seen elsewhere.
The scent of straws can remind you about the most peaceful moments
3. Transfer to Duong Lam ancient village
Duong Lam is located on the outskirts of Hanoi so getting here is quite easy. You can get to Duong Lam by one of the following ways.
By bus
There are 3 bus routes that travel from Hanoi to Duong Lam ancient village: Bus 71, 73, 89. You can take these at the My Dinh bus station and Yen Nghia bus station.
By private vehicle
From Hanoi, it is quite easy to go by motorcycle or car to Duong Lam. There are 2 routes:
- Go in the direction of Thang Long Highway, turn right at Hoa Lac intersection, follow road 21 through Son Loc to the intersection with road 32, you will see a sign to enter Duong Lam
- Follow road 32 to Son Tay town, at the intersection with road 21 there will be a turn to the village on the left side
4. Accommodations
Because of Duong Lam’s location close to Hanoi, visitors often come for a day trip and return on the same day. However, if you want to stay in Duong Lam to experience the peaceful countryside, the hotels in Son Tay will be the right choice for you.
5. Things to see in Duong Lam ancient village
Mong Phu village Gate
This is the only ancient gate remaining in Duong Lam today. It was built during the Le Dynasty (15-18th century). Unlike the gates in other villages, it has a unique design resembling a house with two sloping roofs and pillars supporting the roof. Along with the banyan tree, water pier, and lotus pond, the gate of Mong Phu forms a classic picture of a typical ancient village in northern Vietnam.
Mong Phu village gate
Mong Phu village communal house
The Mong Phu communal house was built around 380 years ago in the middle of the village, covering an area of about 1,800 square metres. Its architectural style is a combination of Vietnamese and Muong influences, resembling a raised house with wooden floors above the ground. The communal house is made up of two side sections and a central main section. The central part, known as the Dai Bai house, is supported by 48 wooden columns, each adorned with intricate carvings of dragons and phoenixes.
Inside the communal house, there are numerous valuable items belonging to the village. The most significant ones include a painting depicting an aged dragon imparting wisdom to children and a painting of King Thanh Thai, representing bravery and intelligence.
Mia Pagoda
Temple dedicated to Mandarin Giang Van Minh
This temple was constructed when King Tu Duc was in power to honour and remember the accomplishments of Mandarin Giang Van Minh. Nowadays, the temple has turned into a popular tourist spot for people who want to learn about history and culture. It also serves as a location to educate and preserve patriotic values for younger generations.
The ancient tower in Mia Pagoda
Ancient houses
Duong Lam ancient village has 956 old houses, many of which were constructed in different years like 1649, 1703, and 1850. These ancient houses are built using traditional materials such as laterite, oval wood, bamboo, terracotta bricks, and tiles.
Villagers still live in their traditional house for centuries
Duong Lam ancient well
In earlier times, the village’s well served as the source of water for people's everyday needs. The old wells in this area can be found in the elevated and cool places close to the communal house, pagoda, or the central area of the village.
Phung Hung Temple
Phung Hung Temple has been established in many places, but the temple in Duong Lam village is the largest temple with unique architecture.
Phung Hung temple
Ngo Quyen Mausoleum and Temple
About 500 metres from Phung Hung Temple is the mausoleum of Ngo Quyen. Ngo Quyen's temple and mausoleum complex was built on Cam Hill, in front of which is a large rice field and flowing river. At the bottom, about 100 metres from the temple, is the mausoleum of King Ngo Quyen built in the shape of 4 roofs on a high pedestal, surrounded by stone walls.
6. What to eat in Duong Lam?
Mia Chicken
In the olden days, Mia Chicken used to be a royal dish and was only served to kings or at important village celebrations. Mia chicken has tiny legs and yellow feathers. When you cook it, the chicken becomes delicious and flavourful. If you visit Duong Lam, you must taste this unique delicacy.
Banh Te
Duong Lam’s Banh Te is a kind of rice cake, which is different from cakes in other regions. Here the cake is wrapped with Dong leaves, a little long and filled with meat and mushroom. People boiled it before serving and selling. Banh Te is good to enjoy both hot and cold.
Peanut candy and sesame candy
This is a traditional candy often enjoyed as snacks or desserts in Vietnam. They are made with very rustic ingredients such as peanuts, sugar, sesame and rice flour. Sticky together by syrup, these candies have an interesting and reminiscent flavour.
We hope that by reading this article, you will have a joyful and easy journey to Duong Lam ancient village. If you want to find out the cost of the tours in Duong Lam, please check out: Full Day Duong Lam and Son Dong villages Private Tour
To see more about rustic charm around Hanoi:
>> Best Things to Do in Hanoi Old Quarter
>> Explore A Traditional Bamboo Fish Trap Craft Village
>> Thăng Long Tứ Trấn - Four Sacred Temples Protecting Hanoi
01 Comment
Norway
We enjoyed a day trip there when Hanoi was having some drizzly weather.
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