The ancient village of Duong Lam has been a tourist honeypot for many yeas, but faces being left out by future visitors as locals’ needs differ from the needs of outsiders.

Duong Lam ancient village, Son Tay, Ha Noi has a history of about 1,200 years with many houses dating back up to 400 years.

Duong Lam lies in the northern province of Ha Tay (now Son Tay, Hanoi) was one of the first ancient villages in Vietnam, and was recognized as a national relic in 2005.

The village, about 60 kilometers west of Hanoi, boasts a 1,200 year-old history with many houses dating back 400 years.

Residents do not want to keep ancient houses

To talk about Duong Lam, people often think about picturesque laterite brick houses, but to the people who live in them, the houses are damp and low. 

Staying in three to four century old houses presents certain risks to residents, including the possibility that houses may collapse. As such, many have decided to build new houses.

Nguyen Ngoc Le, owner of an ancient house dating back 300 years, was facing a decision between keeping his old house and building a new one.

He said he is poor and would have to keep the old house, however, his sons did not want him continue to stay in a house that was slowly deteriorating.

He also said he welcomed the many experts who surveyed his house but in over eight years nothing has been done to restore it. The house simply got older and older.

His son decided to repair the house in May, meaning another old house in the village disappeared.

Restoring the ancient village but turning visitors away

Old houses are disappearing little by little, being replaced by modern buildings. (Photo: SGGP)

In the past, locals were cordial and warm to visitors, but now many simply refuse to welcome them.

A laterite brick house owned by Mr. Vinh, a teacher, was restored with State funding at a cost of VND200 million (US$11,000), however, he does not like welcoming visitors.

Vu Thi Am, owner of another red brick house, said it took her more than half a year to restore the roof.

In addition, each family that owns an old house which always welcome visitors must stop working to welcome the tourists, yet they receive just VND70,000 per month from the Tourism Board.

Meanwhile, the board collects VND15,000 from each visitor.

With such small revenue, many families do not see the real benefit of entertaining visitors.

The standard of life for locals is improving, so they too want to improve their homes. If officials do not give suitable resolutions to preserve the ancient village, it will exist only in memory, pictures and documentaries.

In recent years, many places in the village, such as Mia Pagoda, Phung Hung Temple, Ngo Quyen Temple and Mong Phu communal house, have been restored. However, it is important to preserve not only public cultural relics, but also the rest of the village and environment.