VietNamNet Bridge - If the ancient village of Duong Lam (Son Tay district, Hanoi) is a symbol of architecture of the northern plains, the ancient village of Phuoc Tich (Phong Dien district, Thua Thien-Hue) is the symbol of architecture of the central region.

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More than 500 years of existence, through the wars and the destruction of nature, Phuoc Tich village still preserves the pristine beauty of a traditional Vietnamese village.

Phuoc Tich Ancient Village, in the former capital Hue, is an epitome of Vietnam’s peaceful countryside, and famous for the ancient architecture and design of its many old houses and temples. Built in 1470 under the reign of King Le Thanh Tong, the village was recognized as a national relic by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism in 2009.

Phuoc Tich Village spreads along the poetic O Lau River at the border of Thua Thien-Hue and Quang Tri provinces. It has all the features of a typical Vietnamese traditional village. There are river wharfs, temple yards, old pagodas and paths winding among endless tea trees in the village. Temple and domestic structures are dappled with moss.

The first stop for tourists may be Cay Thi Temple, which is about 700 years old. The temple retains harmonizing aspects of Vietnamese and Cham architecture, with linga and yoni relics.

Of the village’s 117 houses, 37 are between 100 and 200 years old. They are so well preserved as to astonish cultural anthropologists, architects and historians. Phuoc Tich houses are mainly made of jackfruit wood and are adorned with exquisite and lively carvings, most of which remain undamaged despite having gone through so many wars throughout the years.

The interiors usually include parallel sentences, a horizontal lacquered board, wooden scrolls, a plank bed and a wardrobe altar.

The mossy, tile roofs of the houses sag slightly.  Brick walkways, wind screens and old water wells complete the picture. Lines of Chinese tea trees are often charming substitutes for walls.

An alluvial channel winding along the O Lau River, called Ha Cat, is thought to be the place where human souls settle after death. The other side of the river is deemed to be the place for living local people.

The village is also associated with Hue’s royal music (nha nhac), which has been recognized as part of the world’s intangible cultural heritage by UNESCO.

The ancient village of Phuoc Tich was recognized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism as national relic in 2009. This is the second village of Vietnam with the recognition.

Below is a series of pictures of Phuoc Tich village:

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An ancient house in Phuoc Tich village.

Cây thị hơn 700-800 năm tuổi ở giữa làng và miếu Cây Thị - của làng Phước Tích.
The ancient fig tree of more than 700-800 years old in the middle of the village.

 

Miếu cây thị nhìn từ cổng vào.
Cay Thi Temple.

 

Miếu cây thị nhìn từ cổng vào.
The partition and Yoni at the Quang Te Temple - a remnant of the ancient
Cham people left in the village of Phuoc Tich.

 

Những năm gần đây nghề gốm Phước Tích đang được khôi phục lại.
In recent years, pottery has been restored in Phuoc Tich.

 

Những sản phẩm gốm Phước Tích đang được hoàn thiện
Phuoc Tich pottery products are being finalized.

 

Đình làng, nhà thờ họ vẫn được lưu giữ
The communal house and family temples are still preserved.

 

Dòng sông Ô lâu bao bọc quanh làng cổ Phước Tích nước quanh năm trong xanh.
The O Lau River surrounds the ancient village.

 

Một ngôi nhà cổ trong làng Phước Tích
An old house in the village of Phuoc Tich.

 

Ngôi nhà cổ phong một gian rêu hai chái của cụ Hén.

 

Trước những ngôi nhà cổ
An old house in the village of Phuoc Tich.

 

Trước những ngôi nhà cổ
A horizontal lacquered board of King Duy Tan (1909-1916) in
the house of Mr. Ho Dinh Lan.

 

Phía bên trong ngôi nhà chính quy mô lớn (nhà bà Trương Thị Thú).
Inside the main house of Mrs. Truong Thi Thu.

 

Họa tiết điêu khắc trên tường.
Sculptural motifs on the wall.

 

Họa tiết điêu khắc trên kè và xà nhà.
Sculptural motifs on the embankment and beams.

 

Hướng dẫn viên dẫn khách du lịch đi tham quan nhà cổ trong làng
A guide leads tourists to visit old houses in the village.


Hướng dẫn viên dẫn khách du lịch đi tham quan nhà cổ trong làng
All houses in the village of Phuoc Tich were built by artisans from
the neighboring carpentry village of My Xuyen.

Bến nước hàng trăm năm của làng
The village’s wharf.


Bến nước hàng trăm năm của làng
Walking around the village, one will see old the elder and kids.


Bến nước hàng trăm năm của làng
Mrs. Luong Thi Hen introduces a special type of door in the
ancient architecture that only her house has.


Hàng ngày mệ Hén ngồi buồn thiu cùng chú mèo nhìn ra ngoài sân.
Hen in her old house.


Mệ Thú vẫn hay lau chùi, chăm sóc, bảo vệ căn nhà rường được gọn gàng,
Mrs. Thu cleans her house everyday.


Một ngôi nhà rường đóng cửa im lìm khi không có ai trông coi, chăm sóc.
A closed house.


Một ngôi nhà rường đóng cửa im lìm khi không có ai trông coi, chăm sóc.

 Mr. Ho Van Te in the house of nearly 150 years old.

Compiled by T. Van
Photo: Dantri