Duong Lam Ancient Village, located about 50 km northwest of central Hanoi, offers a tranquil retreat into the Vietnamese countryside. Here, visitors can experience the charm of a traditional northern village with banyan trees, communal wells, pagodas, temples, winding brick paths, and narrow alleys lined with laterite walls and ancient wooden houses. Amidst rapid modernization, Duong Lam has retained its cultural essence, offering a nostalgic glimpse into Vietnam’s rural past.
Situated in the Red River Delta, Duong Lam has been a hub for agriculture and craftsmanship in Northern Vietnam for over 1,200 years, initially comprising nine hamlets within Duong Lam Commune. In 2005, it became the first ancient village in Vietnam designated as a National Cultural and Historical Relic, initiating significant preservation efforts. In 2014, UNESCO awarded Duong Lam an award of merit for its conservation of five brick houses, supporting heritage preservation while also drawing more visitors and boosting local incomes.
Architecturally, Duong Lam is one of Vietnam’s most significant ancient villages, following only Hoi An Ancient Town and Hanoi Old Quarter. Known as a “living community,” generations of families continue to inhabit its centuries-old homes, preserving a living heritage in the heart of the Red River Delta.
While Duong Lam Ancient Village can be visited year-round, the festive season and harvest season are especially ideal times for a trip.
Visiting Duong Lam in the first lunar month offers a lively experience filled with festival celebrations. The village comes alive with vibrant festivities at the communal house, where you’ll find palanquins, ceremonial offerings, folk games, and delicious dishes unique to the festival. The joyful atmosphere, echoed by the rhythmic sound of drums, will leave you with a memorable impression of this traditional celebration.
In May and June, as the rice fields reach full ripeness, Duong Lam takes on a serene, golden glow. Roads are lined with harvested rice and drying straw, creating a peaceful, rustic scene unique to the countryside. This time of year draws many visitors seeking the beauty and tranquility of a traditional Vietnamese harvest.
Duong Lam once had multiple village gates, but only the historic Mong Phu Village Gate remains today. Built in 1553 under the reign of King Le Thanh Tong, this gate is a significant architectural symbol, marking the boundary of the village. Unlike traditional gates, Mong Phu’s structure is distinctive, resembling a small house with two sloping roofs supported by pillars. Its unique "upper house, lower gate" design adds character to its appearance.
Surrounded by age-old banyan trees, a water wharf, a lotus pond, and rice fields, Mong Phu Village Gate captures the idyllic beauty of a Red River Delta village.
In Red River Delta villages, the communal house traditionally serves as both an administrative hub and a place of worship for the village’s guardian spirit, whose protection, blessed by royal decree, was believed to ensure prosperity. The communal house also hosts public gatherings, ceremonies, and festivals.
Mong Phu Communal House, also built in 1553, honors Tan Vien Mountain Saint, one of Vietnam’s legendary Four Immortals. During the reign of King Tu Duc in 1859, it was expanded to include an outer house and two colonial-era side houses. Located on the village's highest point, spanning 1,800 square meters, the site is considered by locals to resemble a dragon.
The structure reflects a blend of Vietnamese-Muong architecture, resembling a stilted house with a raised wooden floor. Its large courtyard is paved with bricks from Bat Trang, a renowned pottery village in the Red River Delta, and is surrounded by a laterite fence—a popular local building material.
Duong Lam is renowned as the “Land of Two Kings,” as it is the birthplace of Phung Hung (761–802) and Ngo Quyen (896–944), both legendary figures in Vietnam’s history who led resistance efforts against northern invaders and became kings after achieving independence.
The temple complex includes a main gate, side buildings, a front chamber, and a back chamber. The main chamber commemorates Ngo Quyen’s triumph at the Bach Dang River, while the back chamber, adorned with intricate dragon, floral, and leaf designs, houses a statue of Ngo Quyen as its centerpiece. The mausoleum was built in the 27th year of King Tu Duc’s reign (1874) and has undergone multiple restorations, including the most recent during Tu Duc’s rule (1848–1883).
Mia Pagoda is a must-visit when exploring Duong Lam, dating back to at least the 15th century and recognized as one of Vietnam’s ten oldest temples. Originally known as Sung Nghiem Tu, the pagoda fell into disrepair in the 17th century until it was restored in 1632 by Lady Queen Mia, the wife of the northern leader Trinh Trang, from whom the pagoda takes its name.
The pagoda is famous for its remarkable collection of 287 Buddhist statues, including six bronze statues, 107 wooden ones, and 174 made of earthenware. Its architectural design follows the traditional Vietnamese concept of "Internal attack with outside support" (Nội Công Ngoại Quốc), a common style for temples and pagodas in Vietnam.
With over 1,200 years of history, Duong Lam Village is home to 956 traditional houses, some as old as 400 years. These homes are primarily constructed from traditional materials like oval wood, bamboo, terracotta bricks, and tiles. A unique feature is the use of laterite, which can be seen in the walls, gates, wells, and even temple walls throughout the village.
The typical house structure includes five or seven compartments with two wings. Inside, intricately carved doors and columns display motifs of flowers, leaves, and clouds. Each door compartment has four leaves with upper and lower joints, ensuring durability and ventilation, and the thresholds, crafted from solid wood and raised 40–50 cm above ground, protect against humidity and enhance airflow.
In front of each house, a spacious courtyard is commonly used for storing large clay jars of homemade rice wine or soybean sauce. Some of the most notable houses to visit include:
Beyond Duong Lam Ancient Village, Vietnam is filled with captivating destinations. Wander through Hanoi's lively streets, Saigon's bustling markets, and Can Tho's iconic floating markets along the Mekong Delta. Discover Co Loa's charming ancient citadel, steeped in history and legend, or venture to the mountainous beauty of Ha Giang, where winding roads lead to breathtaking views.
For peaceful escapes, head to Da Lat's cool highlands with pine forests and waterfalls, or the misty rice terraces of Sa Pa that capture the essence of northern Vietnam.
Unwind on the pristine shores of Ninh Binh, where limestone cliffs rise from emerald rivers, or explore the natural beauty of Cat Ba Island and the majestic waterfalls and lakes of Cao Bang.
Each of these places offers its unique charm, painting a vibrant picture of Vietnam's diverse landscapes and rich culture.
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