About 50km from the center of Hanoi, the famous ancient villages on the outskirts of Hanoi are beautiful choices for tourists who wish to enjoy the unique Vietnamese ancient village atmosphere, which is impossible to find anywhere else.
Ancient Villages Outside of Hanoi: Co Loa Commune
Co Loa is the place preserving the ancient relics of the Au Lac capital under An Duong Vuong in the 3rd century BC and of the feudal state under Ngo Quyen in the 10th century AD. It is a land associated with the legends of the Hung Kings from the time the country was founded, so it’s not surprising that the village has many unique ancient works, especially the Co Loa citadel – the oldest ancient citadel of Vietnam, built in a spiral shape. Nowadays, Co Loa is recognized as one of the national tourist attractions, open throughout the year for visitors. In the relics preservation area, there are still ancient works such as Thuong Temple, Ngoc Well, Co Loa, An Duong Vuong Temple.
Moreover, as it’s located on the outskirts of Hanoi, with clear weather throughout the year, Co Loa brings on its distinctive beauty in each season. However, the most appropriate time to come to Co Loa is in the fall when the weather is cool and the atmosphere is incredibly dreamy. Especially on the 1st, 6th, 11th, and 26th of every month, the market is held and attracts many visitors. Don’t forget to taste the famous mussel porridge here when coming to Co Loa commune.
Only 20 km from the center of Hanoi, the way to Co Loa is quite simple. Visitors can go by motorbikes, cars, taxis, and buses (46, 15, 17).
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Ancient Villages Outside of Hanoi: Duong Lam Ancient Village
About 50km from Hanoi, Duong Lam Ancient Village is located in Son Tay, on the southern bank of the Red River, near Highway 32, at the intersection with Ho Chi Minh Road. This is the first ancient village in Vietnam honored by the government as a national historic landmark in 2006. With the unique architectural features of an ancient Vietnamese village in the Red River Delta, it is safe to say that Duong Lam Ancient Village is only behind Hoi An Ancient Town and Hanoi Old Town in terms of scale and artistic value.
The old houses built of laterite and tinged with moss are special highlights at Duong Lam Village. Over 900 traditional houses here have a one-of-a-kind gate boasting a reddish roof on top. There are a pagoda, two temples, five communal houses, and other relics in the area that follow the impressive architecture dating back to the earliest feudal dynasties. Duong Lam ancient village is also the hometown of Ngo Quyen and Phung Hung – the two national heroes, so the two temples here are used to worship them. Duong Lam ancient village also has Mia Pagoda – one of the oldest pagodas in Vietnam with over 300 years of history.
There are many must-try specialties here, such as Keo Doi, Che Lam, or Vietnamese green tea. Duong Lam soy sauce is famous as a traveling gift for visitors returning from this place.
Ancient Villages Outside of Hanoi: Cu Da Ancient Village
The village is located on the Nhue River, about 20km from Hanoi. Cu Da is a village in Cu Khe Commune, Thanh Oai District, Hanoi.
Visitors to Cu Da are coming to an idyllic, peaceful ancient village with many signature 3-story houses. Around the town are old trees, village gates, palaces, and pagodas imprinted with Vietnamese feudal architecture—all treasured as national monuments. Moreover, two-story houses with French architecture are still built a hundred years ago.
Cu Da Village has long been famous for making vermicelli and soy sauce. With vermicelli spread on big plates in every house’s yard, it portrays the image of an ancient Vietnamese village and is an attractive place to visit and experience.
Cu Da Village is only 20km west of Hanoi, so visitors can easily reach it by bike or car.
Ancient Villages Outside of Hanoi: Tho Ha Ancient Village
Tho Ha village is in Van Ha Commune, Viet Yen District, Bac Giang Province. The village is considered as an oasis surrounded by the poetic Cau River, preserving the traditional cultural values.
Tho Ha Village is famous for its ancient buildings, from houses to village gates and ancient wells made of fired bricks. It also has an ancient temple and an old communal house of ancient Vietnamese architecture.
In the village, many walls are still built with small clayware and pottery pieces. The oldest houses are about 300 years old and located in small alleys, distributed like a fishbone. The roads are only about one meter wide, and the two sides have moss-tinged walls. It may take courageous travelers and keen photographers who are looking for avant-garde photoshoots to enter.
When visiting Tho Ha ancient village in spring, visitors can participate in the village festival and immerse themselves in the traditional folk culture space with many vibrant activities. Especially when coming here, tourists can get on the boat and row down the Cau River to enjoy the soothing and romantic folk songs.
Ancient Villages Outside of Hanoi: Nom Village
Nom Village is the other name of Dai Dong Village in Dai Dong Commune, Van Lam District, Hung Yen Province, 30 km to the east of Hanoi. The area embodies many cultural traits of the old “Vietnamese village community”.
Visitors can easily reach Nom Village from Hanoi by bike, car, or even by bus. Catch bus number 40 at Thong Nhat Park to Nhu Quynh, Hung Yen, and continue to take the 01 bus, and you’ll arrive in less than 2 hours.
Ancient Villages Outside of Hanoi: Uoc Le Village
Uoc Le Village is an ancient Vietnamese village in Tan Uoc Commune, Thanh Oai District, Hanoi. This ancient village has made its name for its traditional job of making gio cha; a traditional Vietnamese cold cut made from pork.
The village still has old houses dating back more than 200 years, some of which bear the French colonial architecture. Even in modern houses, people here still use the lies on the eaves—one of the typical characteristics of the architecture in the North of Vietnam.
Endless rows of green bamboos welcome visitors to the village, and it is a signature of ancient Vietnamese communities. Bamboo trees are planted along canals, along the banks of ponds, or on the streets as a natural protective fence for the village.
When coming to Uoc Le Village, it is essential to try gio cha, as this is among the most famous traditional dishes of Vietnam. Even the locals have to queue up to buy gio cha made in Uoc Le Village.
Summary on Peaceful Ancient Villages Just Outside of Hanoi
Vietnam has many interesting cultural sites for tourists, but nothing is better than going to the ancient villages to experience the real Vietnamese countrysides. It doesn’t take too much time, yet it still brings invaluable memories and cultural appreciation.