Hanoi (VNA) - Located just 50km toܫ the Northwest of Hanoi, Duong Lam is one of the country’s best examples of an ancient village.

In 2005, Duong Lam became the first village that had been recognised as a national artistic architectural relic. Visitors to the village can find many preserved ancient relics, rich with culture and history. The most notable aspect of the village is ancient houses, which were built with wooden frames and fortified with laterites – a special material used in construction in the Red River Delta region. Built in the 17th century, there are currently only a few hundred of old houses left, with the oldest dating back 400 years. Being recognised as a national heritage area has given the village a strong boost in tourism, attracting both foreign and domestic visitors. The number of travellers to Duong Lam spiked from 3,000-4,000 in 2008 to more than 10,000 people in 2014. In the first nine months of 2015 alone, the village welcomed 11,000 visitors. A highlight of Duong Lam’s tourism products is the “Golden crop season,” where villagers weave special products using straws. The combination of agriculture and tourism is not new, but for Duong Lam Village, it is a tremendous effort toward building a sustainable industry and helping locals find another source of income apart from their crops, all while providing tourists with a unique experience. In the past, since there were not many overnight accommodations available in the village, visitors often opted for short day trips. However, these days many local families have opened their doors to strangers for a home-stay experience. An overnight stay is exactly what people need to fully enjoy what the village has to offer. They can spend the day working with farmers, or listen to traditional musical performances by the village’s artisans. All of these make up an ideal tourism product, bringing in financial stability and helping the village preserve itself as a pearl in Vietnam’s unique culture.-VNA