An Essential Guide to Duong Lam Ancient Village, Hanoi

Recognized as the national historic and cultural vestiges since 2006, Duong Lam ancient village will take you to trace back the origin of Vietnam’s culture and Vietnamese legends. Visit this destination in Hanoi and get overwhelmed with the special architectures through its surviving brick ancient houses and traditional relics. Experience their local lifestyle as well as have a deep insight into the Vietnamese countryside.

Where is Duong Lam Ancient Village?

This attraction is located at the Western Hanoi with the distance of about 50km and around 2-hour driving. Therefore, Duong Lam ancient village day tour is often added to tourists’ itineraries.

What Makes Duong Lam Ancient Village Unique?

Ancient Houses in Duong Lam Village

The village is significantly famous for ancient house system preserving 800 old houses which are so difficult to find in a modern life. Many houses here were built from 1780 with the main material of laterite dug from underground. The structure of each house concludes the main gate, the garden, the yard, the main house, outbuilding, kitchen, and livestock barn. Like every local house, the main house is the most important part where all the family from three to five generations live together and dedicate to their ancestor. Around the ancient houses are the paths and green gardens with fruit trees while around the villages are banyan trees, paddle fields, temples, roads as the bone of fish, and wells. All of the harmonies of structures make a peaceful village, showing a Vietnamese rural lifestyle in the past.

Historical Relics in Duong Lam Ancient Village

Ngo Quyen Temple & Phung Hung Temple

Duong Lam village is known as the land of the two great kings Ngo Quyen and Phung Hung. Therefore, local people built two separate temples with a traditional architecture for people to visit and show their loyalty and gratitude to our two kings. It is suitable to visit the two at the same time for a reason of their near position.

Va Temple

The temple – one of the historic and cultural vestiges was built in the middle of the iron forest, opening to your eyes a fine art architecture. This place worships one of four immortals in Vietnam, attached to the interesting legend “Son Tinh – Thuy Tinh”.

Mia Pagoda

Take a glance at the unique pagoda called Mia Pagoda or Sung Nghiem Tu. The temple indicates Vietnamese traditional architecture such as dragons flanking a moon, chrysanthemum flower, and lotus. It is also well-known for 287 Buddha statues which have its own unique expression, design, and color. Behind the main gate is a hundred-year-old giant banyan tree – a symbol of Vietnam village together with lush foliage. Like other pagodas in Vietnam, you can enjoy a peaceful tranquil atmosphere here.

Duong Lam Local Specialties

Banh Te – Rice Cake

Banh te is made of white rice with a perfect combination of minced pork, chopped mushrooms, salt, pepper, onion. It is greater to dip it into soy sauce or chili when you enjoy.

Che Lam

Che lam cake is a dish showing makers’ heart, love, time, and attention. Bite one piece of Che lam, you can feel the softness of the sticky rice, the sweetness of the honey, the spice of the ginger, and the richness of the peanuts. According to tradition, Vietnamese always enjoy che lam together with tea after a meal.

Keo Doi – Doi Candy

It is a favorite candy for every child. The crisp layer of the candy surrounds the sweet sugar stuff with peanuts, bringing a great flavor.

Sugarcane Chicken

Considered “the dish for the king” in the past, Duong Lam sugarcane chicken is definitely a must-try with a sweet flavor and crispy skin.

Duong Lam Ancient Village Travel Guide

How to Get to Duong Lam Ancient Village from Hanoi:

• It takes you one hour and a half to transfer to the village by car/ taxi.
• You spend more than two hours moving to the village by bus/ motorbike.

Quick Tips:

• Most people in the village cannot speak English, so you should have a local guide
• The best time to visit here from Monday to Friday because there is a crowd of visitors on the weekends.