Dong Van Ancient Town is not only a place to preserve unique cultural and historical values ββbut also an ideal destination for those who love to explore the majestic beauty of nature. With ancient houses, unique cultural activities, and rich cuisine, this place always brings a wonderful experience to every visitor. In this article, let’s join ZingHome to learn about Dong Van, from its historical scale to fascinating experiences not to be missed.
1. Overview of Dong Van Ancient Town
1.1 Where is Dong Van ancient town?
Dong Van ancient town is located in Dong Van town, Dong Van district, Ha Giang province, about 160km from the city center. It is called the old town because this place used to belong to Dong Quan canton, Nguyen Binh district, Tuong Van district, Tuyen Quang province with a history hundreds of years old. Visitors will be truly attracted by the architecture and culture of the neighborhood, which still retains its ancient features like a painting that preserves time.
With a unique location at an altitude of 1,000 to 1,600 meters above sea level, this old town has an ancient and peaceful beauty. The people here are mainly Mong, Tay, and Chinese ethnic groups, creating a diverse and rich cultural picture. Wooden and stone houses with typical yin and yang tiled roofs, combined with narrow roads, will give visitors the feeling of being lost in another space, where time seems to stop.
1.2 History of Formation
Dong Van Ancient Town is not simply a neighborhood with ancient houses, but also a place that witnessed many ups and downs of Vietnamese history. Starting from the early 20th century, this old town has become inhabited by residents of the Mong, Tay, and Chinese ethnic groups. In the early years of its formation, the old town was only a small trading place between indigenous peoples, but later became one of the important commercial centers of the Northern mountainous region.
With the impact of the French colonial government at the end of the 19th century, the old town was methodically planned and many unique architectural works were built. Among them, Dong Van Market was built in 1920 with stone, still retaining its characteristics to this day. The two-story houses with yin and yang tiles and earthen walls built hundreds of years ago, still exist firmly against the harsh nature.
1.3 Unique features in architecture
The architecture of Dong Van ancient town offers an interesting view of the interference between cultures. The houses built mainly of wood and stone not only demonstrate the construction techniques of the people here but also reflect the cultural interference between Vietnam and China.
What’s special about this place is that the houses are designed in a two-story format with typical yin-yang tile roofs. On the ground floor, families often use it for business, while the upper floor is the living space. Architectural details such as wooden doors, wide porches, and decorative red lanterns create a space that is both traditional and cozy.
What makes the old town special is the image of ancient houses surrounded by beautiful natural landscapes. Along with majestic rocky mountains and fresh air, Dong Van ancient town is like a vivid picture converging many cultural and historical values.
2. Fascinating experiences
Dong Van ancient town opens a new world with many interesting experiences for visitors. In the quiet space of the old town, visitors can easily feel the slow and peaceful pace of life. The sounds from daily life, greetings, and laughter of indigenous people create a vivid and very familiar picture. You will be surprised to see old bicycles, roadside tea shops, and even artisans plying their traditional crafts.
2.1 Walk around the Ancient town
Visiting Dong Van’s old town, you will feel like you are lost in an ancient world, completely separate from the noise of the city. Narrow, winding roads lead you through ancient houses that are hundreds of years old, where each crack and each window frame carries the story of time.
With its pristine and peaceful beauty, Dong Van ancient town especially attracts those who love photography. Daylight blends with the colors of old houses creating wonderful moments for lifelong photos. You can stroll through the narrow alleys, exploring every little corner, from cute little shops to shops selling handicrafts.
Some houses in the old town are also decorated with lanterns in front of the door. When walking here, you can also chat with extremely friendly people to understand more about their lives. If you want to go inside to visit, you need to ask the owner’s permission first! Surrounding the old town are rolling mountains and lush green flora. In the morning, when the first rays of sunlight penetrate the mountains, shining down on each roof, creating a peaceful and poetic scene for Dong Van’s Ancient town.
2.2 Enjoy local specialties
When coming to Dong Van’s ancient town, visitors will not only admire the wonderful beauty of the architecture but also have the opportunity to enjoy the unique dishes of the Northern mountains. The dishes here are all made from natural ingredients, imbued with the flavors of the mountains and forests.
One of the outstanding specialties that you cannot miss is thang co – a traditional dish of the H’mong people. With the main ingredients being horse internal organs and typical spices, this dish always has a special appeal to visitors. You can also experience five-color sticky rice, a typical traditional dish of ethnic minorities, with sticky rice grains naturally dyed from leaves and fruits.
In addition, corn wine is also an indispensable gift on the culinary discovery journey here. With the delicious flavor of sticky rice, along with the traditional fermentation process, corn wine is not only a drink but also a part of the culture of the people here.
2.3 Explore Dong Van market
Dong Van Market is one of the outstanding cultural beauties that no one can miss when coming to the old town. The market opens every Sunday morning. This is a place for cultural exchange between ethnic groups as well as between locals and tourists. The market scene is very bustling, with the sounds of sales mingling with the cheerful atmosphere of everyone.
You will have the opportunity to admire a variety of items from fresh foods such as vegetables and fruits to unique handicraft products. In particular, the customs and practices of each ethnic group will be clearly shown through sales and communication methods. Local dishes are also sold here, giving you the opportunity to enjoy cuisine in the lively atmosphere of the market.
2.4 Enjoy coffee in an old space
One of the indispensable experiences when coming to Dong Van Ancient Town is enjoying coffee in an ancient space. Old Town Coffee Shop, with its traditional design, gives visitors the feeling of returning to ancient times. Located among ancient houses, the cafe is not only a place for refreshments but also an ideal stop to rest and admire the lively surroundings.
Here, you can enjoy delicious cups of coffee, skillfully prepared from pure coffee beans. The shop’s space is decorated with ancient items, from wooden tables and chairs to art paintings, creating a peaceful and nostalgic atmosphere. Sparkling red lanterns bring a sense of intimacy, making you feel like you’re living in a classic movie.
In addition to enjoying coffee, you also have the opportunity to participate in many unique cultural activities taking place in the shop such as live music performances and cultural exchanges between tourists and locals.
3. Dong Van travel guide
Exploring Dong Van ancient town not only brings you interesting experiences but also gives you knowledge about the culture and history here. However, to have a complete trip, you need to pay attention to some important things during your journey.
Transportation
To get to Dong Van’s ancient town, visitors have many options for transportation. You can choose a motorbike, car, or bus based on your preferences and personal situation. Each means has its own advantages.
- Motorbike: Ideal choice for those who like to freely explore. However, you need to be careful on mountain passes.
- Passenger car: Simple and safe operation, this makes you more comfortable to focus on seeing the beautiful scenery.
- Car: Provides more freedom and convenience in moving between attractions.
Accommodation
When you arrive in Dong Van ancient town, you will not have difficulty finding a place to rest. This area has many accommodation options from homestays, and motels to hotels, suitable for each traveler’s needs and budget.
Some famous homestays with unique cultural experiences include Hagiang Holic and Dong Van Cliffside House. Prices range from 100,000 to 250,000 VND per night. If you prioritize more comfort, you can choose hotels like Hoa Cuong and Hoang Ngoc with prices ranging from 400,000 to 1,000,000 VND per night.
The ideal time to visit
The ideal time to visit Dong Van ancient town is during the ripe rice season (September), the buckwheat flower season (October-November), or the Khau Vai love market festival. These times not only have beautiful natural scenery but also many unique cultural activities.
Some tips to keep in mind
When coming to Dong Van ancient town, you should note some important points to make the trip more convenient and complete.
- Prepare comfortable shoes: Dong Van has many small, stone streets, so you need to prepare sneakers or comfortable shoes to easily move and visit.
- Bring warm clothes in winter: Because Old Town is located in the plateau area, the weather in winter can be very cold. Bring warm clothes to keep your body warm, especially at night.
- Pay attention to the time of visiting the market: Dong Van market usually takes place on weekends. If you want to participate and explore the special atmosphere of the market, come on these days to enjoy the shopping space and cultural exchange with local people.
- Bring a camera Dong Van Ancient Town possesses many beautiful scenes, from ancient houses to majestic natural scenery. Don’t forget to bring a camera to capture memorable moments.
- Be careful when visiting historical sites: Old Town has many important historical relics. When visiting, please respect the regulations and space of the monument, and avoid damaging ancient structures.
- Pay attention to environmental protection: When visiting, please maintain general hygiene and do not litter, especially in historical areas and natural areas.
- Make a reservation before arriving: Dong Van Ancient Town is a quite popular tourist destination, so if you go during the peak season, book in advance to avoid being booked out.
- Explore early in the morning or late in the afternoon: If you want to enjoy a peaceful and less crowded atmosphere, visit Dong Van Ancient Street in the early morning or late afternoon. This is a great time to take photos and enjoy the fresh air.
Dong Van Ancient Town is truly a great destination for those who love to explore and experience culture. With ancient beauty, hundreds of years old houses, and the interference of cultures, this place promises to bring you unforgettable memories. From walking around the small streets to enjoying local specialties, all create a perfect picture of the life and culture of the people here. For more information and travel tips in Ha Giang Loop, please visit the ZingHome website.
