Duong Lam Ancient Village
Duong Lam Ancient Village
4
7:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Monday
7:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Tuesday
7:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Wednesday
7:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Thursday
7:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Friday
7:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Saturday
7:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Sunday
7:00 AM - 10:00 PM
About
Duong Lam is a commune of Son Tay town, Hanoi, Vietnam. Duong Lam becomes the first ancient village in Vietnam. Two of Vietnam’s kings, Phung Hung (761-802) and Ngo Quyen (896-944) were born in Duong Lam, giving the village its prestige. Both men led resistance wars against northern invasion and after winning national independence, were crowned kings. After their deaths, the local people built tem
Duration: 2-3 hours
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
381 reviews
Excellent
184
Very good
123
Average
61
Poor
7
Terrible
6
michael h
429 contributions
Feb 2020 • Family
Just coming back from Duong Lam ancient village trip with my family and this was amazing trip indeed and it’s unforgettable time for our family like being home away from home. We’ve been to the village for a few time but this time I decided to write my comments and review the village for everyone knowing about it’s chaming with many ancient 4 hundreds of old houses still left and have been preserved very well. From the beginning of the trip we started to see a beautiful old village gate with a big banian tree and a charming village pond around coconut trees all of this make you return your childhood time . We rent an electric car to explore the village as we went with our kids and this very convenient and comfortable indeed. We visited an oldest house in the village built about 400 hundreds years old . We also did visit Mia Pagoda and the communal house too. Very impressive. We really enjoyed our trip here and will be back again soon!!!😊😊😊😊😊👍👍👍👍👍👍
Written February 20, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Anna P
Nha Trang, Vietnam13 contributions
Jan 2024 • Couples
The weather was very cold but atmosphere was very cool. We love walking on narrow but clean brick-paved roads in Duong Lam ancient village. And ride a bike is very interesting, too. But I am not a good biker. hahaha.
Written March 12, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
terlunche
Singapore, Singapore124 contributions
Dec 2019
A total let down. I went on a guided tour but it was the sites that was rather disappointing. Nothing really much to learn or truly see. There are a couple of ancient houses and communal sites. Other than that, there wasn't anything new. Agree with some reviewers that the Ancient House and Temple at the Old Quarter are sufficient to know more about traditional Vietnamese houses. There was a Vietnam War veteran living in one of the ancient house and that it was good to find out about his life as a soldier in the war. Other than that, the tour and the travelling time to the village isn't worth it. Better to spend the time and day elsewhere.
Written December 17, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
prouttk
Winnipeg, Canada6 contributions
Jul 2016 • Couples
My boyfriend and I booked this tour several weeks before arriving in Hanoi. We had assumed, based on the descriptions provided, that the village would be 1) ancient 2) interesting 3) quiet. The only ancient site you truly visit is a sort of doorway. While this specific doorway and the village itself is recognized by UNESCO, it is not as the pictures make it seem. Although the architecture was interesting, I do not consider this a full day tour. We were picked up early in the morning and surprised to discover we were the only two people on the tour that day. We were accompanied by the guide (who, regardless of the quality of the tour, was decently friendly and somewhat knowledgable, if not young and a little inexperienced), our driver, and one other woman who we never found out why she was there (she did not speak the whole time, but walked with us through the village). As said before, the village is not much to see for an entire day. There were several pagoda we walked past (unfortunately, we were not dressed to cover our shoulders and knees so we did not enter) however we did see other more impressive ones throughout our travels.Also, I believe the phrase is something similar to "you see one, you've seen them all." Perhaps that is arrogant but the point is that there are other pagodas to visit and these ones do not serve as a selling feature for the tour. After walking for several hours in the 45 degree heat (with no shade and minimal rest stops), we were welcomed into a family's home for lunch. The lunch itself was quite good, the family was friendly, and there were adequate restroom facilities (another feature that was not available to us while walking).
Overall, I would not recommend this tour as it is not what pictures or the description depicts. For the money spent on this tour, there are many things I wish we had done instead.
Overall, I would not recommend this tour as it is not what pictures or the description depicts. For the money spent on this tour, there are many things I wish we had done instead.
Written August 31, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
sassenach-girl
Brisbane, Australia160 contributions
May 2015 • Couples
My partner and I thoroughly enjoyed our day trip to Duong Lam. Having already spent a few days in Hanoi, and another 2 on Ha Long Bay, we wanted to see 'country' northern Vietnam and it did not disappoint.
We chose the cycling option, so after our 1.5 hour private car ride, we explored the village by foot with our private guide, and then hopped on some rented bikes (included). It was 1000 degrees in the sun, however it didn't detract from the day.
Lunch at the 400 year old house was also delicious. A highlight of our trip.
We chose the cycling option, so after our 1.5 hour private car ride, we explored the village by foot with our private guide, and then hopped on some rented bikes (included). It was 1000 degrees in the sun, however it didn't detract from the day.
Lunch at the 400 year old house was also delicious. A highlight of our trip.
Written June 11, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Snabbu
Quirindi, Australia62 contributions
May 2013 • Friends
One hour by car from Hanoi this is a great pace to visit. We went with our guide David Nguyen of Hanoi Eco Tours contact details: email davidnguyen.tourguide@gmail.com phone +84974313104
I can't tell you how much it cost because we had Several tours and airport transfers with David as a combined thing. I think if you visit the ethnic museum before going to the village you will get more out if it because you will have a better understanding of the village life. I highly recommend you do a day in Hanoi with David before you go to the village. He has many special skills including cutting into mile long lines to see the mausoleum and finding seats in packed coffee shops and getting you accross the road without being run over. His knowledge of history and culture is vast.
The village is picturesque unspoilt and well worth a visit. David was able to take us into local houses and translate for us as we chatted with locals over tea. The house where we had lunch was around three hundred years old and original. The owner is a Journalist his wife an art teacher. They have a family tradition of processing soy beans. The food we had here was the best vietnamese food we had in Vietnam. Better than hotels and restaurants rated in the top five on this site. Better by a country mile. We did a bit of biking around the village, chatted and drank tea, looked arround the pagoda. I think you need at least three hours there. You will also get a lot more out if your visit if you go with a local guide and translator if your Vietnamese is limited. I highly recommend a trip to this village and David as a tour guide.
I can't tell you how much it cost because we had Several tours and airport transfers with David as a combined thing. I think if you visit the ethnic museum before going to the village you will get more out if it because you will have a better understanding of the village life. I highly recommend you do a day in Hanoi with David before you go to the village. He has many special skills including cutting into mile long lines to see the mausoleum and finding seats in packed coffee shops and getting you accross the road without being run over. His knowledge of history and culture is vast.
The village is picturesque unspoilt and well worth a visit. David was able to take us into local houses and translate for us as we chatted with locals over tea. The house where we had lunch was around three hundred years old and original. The owner is a Journalist his wife an art teacher. They have a family tradition of processing soy beans. The food we had here was the best vietnamese food we had in Vietnam. Better than hotels and restaurants rated in the top five on this site. Better by a country mile. We did a bit of biking around the village, chatted and drank tea, looked arround the pagoda. I think you need at least three hours there. You will also get a lot more out if your visit if you go with a local guide and translator if your Vietnamese is limited. I highly recommend a trip to this village and David as a tour guide.
Written May 20, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TruePravda
London, UK32 contributions
Feb 2015 • Friends
If you are in Hanoi for a few days I highly recommend visiting this place, a return cab including waiting at the place for four hours cost around $60. You can rent a bike for the day for $1. We took a tour with an NGO where you paid what you want, much better than the expensive tours at the agencies. It takes about an hour to get to and is beautiful when you do, cycling among the rice paddies with the view of the village and the spire of the old church in the distance. Although it is a "tourist" village it's not overrun with tourists and thus feels relatively authentic.
Completely different to downtown Hanoi and well worth the trip to see another side of Vietnam.
Completely different to downtown Hanoi and well worth the trip to see another side of Vietnam.
Written February 1, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kerry L
Melbourne, Australia52 contributions
Dec 2019
Duong Lam Ancient Village is a World Heritage Site - it takes over an hour from Hanoi to get to the village. We just wandered through the village. Luckily we had a guide who was able to translate information provided by local people when we entered historic buildings. I was a bit disappointed with this site, given the time to get there. Wouldn't give it the high rating it is on trip advisor.
Written December 21, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
murielcsmith
United Kingdom22 contributions
Sep 2019
Having read about this ancient village, we decided to take a taxi there and see what it was all about. It was boiling hot, not a person in sight and all the small market stalls were closed, We walked around for a while trying to find something of interest. We met a few people on bikes but not much else. We were gasping for a cold drink but nothing was open. We walked further down the main road and found builders working on a brand new modern house which seemed strange to us, considering it was an ancient historic village! We walked back towards the square and noticed a cafe was now open and that was the answer to our prayers. Again, it was ultra modern but by then we didn't care - we just wanted a cold drink and a bathroom! We then decided to leave having felt the visit was disappointing. We later heard from someone in our hotel that the village closes for about 2 hours in the middle of the day so maybe that should be made more obvious to potential visitors. Maybe an organised trip would be of more interest.
Written October 28, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DuyenHoang
Palawan Island, Philippines32 contributions
Feb 2016 • Family
Suitable place for history lovers, nature lovers and art and architecture lovers. It's festival time there so it's quite an interesting experience to have a closer look at it and explore a traditional agricultural village. Some beautiful places there worth a visit like: Mia Pagoda, Vien Son Pagoda, almost 400 year old ancient houses. The highlights were farming and cooking class at the local house. I booked a full day tour with Duong Lam Ecotourism, guided by Ms. Julie Hoang. She is so knowledgeable and as a local, she knows everything about this village.
Love the food there. Our lunch with local family there was outstanding!
Love the food there. Our lunch with local family there was outstanding!
Written February 14, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
How to get there from Hanoi old quarter if I am doing a DIY trip?
Written January 18, 2019
It is about 90 minutes from Hanoi, there is a bus that will go to Duong Lam. Make your way to My Dinh bus stationed take the bus with destination Trung Ha, should be 70A. You should tell the driver/conductor that you want the village and to advise you when you are there to get off.
Written January 18, 2019
Ciao, io e mia moglie andremo in Vietnam questa estate, pensavamo di visitare il villaggio ma abbiamo solo mezza giornata per farlo, secondo te è una cosa fattibile, sapresti anche dirmi, partendo da hanoi come ci si arriva e quanto ci si impiega.
Grazie mille
Written April 12, 2017
francochi1984
Treviso, Italy
Ciao. Scusa se ti rispondo solo oggi, ma sono stato fuori casa. Il villaggio di Duong Lam è molto bello ma non è proprio vicino ad Hanoi. Sono 60 km e ci vuole circa 1 ora e mezza. Se hai mezza giornata a disposizione ti consiglio di visitare la Pagoda Chua Thay. E' forse la più bella pagoda che noi abbiamo visitato in Vietnam. Molto vecchia, ai piedi di una montagna. sono solo 40 km da Hanoi e ci vogliono circa 30 minuti
Written May 2, 2017
Did you go on a tour with guide etc. or on your own? Were there a lot of other tourists while you were there?
We would prefer to go on our own but wonder if that is easy. Any input is appreciated.
Written December 22, 2016
Sorry for the late answering. I went to Duong Lam village by my own. You can get there by bus or motorbike. There is less touristic. If you would like join with a tour you can book with a travel agency, the price about 40-50$ per person for one day tour.
Written January 5, 2017
I am a bit confused by the location map on Trip Advisor. It shows a location approximately 2km from the Ho Chi Minh Museum. I have located Duong Lam village on google maps, about 50km from the Hanoi Old Quarter.
Can I have some clarification as to the actual location of the village.
Thanks,
Peter
Written November 2, 2015
Agreed regarding it being ~50km. We drove out to Duong Lam from Hanoi and it probably took a solid half hour plus. But well worth the trip!
Written November 3, 2015
Hi, if between Duong Lam Ancient Village and Hoa Lu Tram Coc, which one will be more fascinating? If we were to go in Mid November, any green paddy or harvesting paddy during that time?
Written August 15, 2015
My recommendation stands for Tam Coc where you can see more things from paddy field, temples to limestone mountain system,old villages. Boat trip along the stream with paddy field around is the highlight. Moreover, service in Tam Coc is way better.
Written August 15, 2015
Hi,
I'm wondering if anyone can recommend which travel guide they used to take a trip to Duong Lam? It sounds like a lovely day and I'd be grateful for any advice as to the best way to get there from Hanoi.
Thanks,
Stef.
Written July 27, 2015
Hi Stefan,
After a month long trip of Vietnam using professional guides and drivers, we ended out trip in Hanoi and decided it wing it on our own. Another traveler referred us to Hanoi Free Kids and sooo glad we did. What a wonderful experience. They are a group of college students practicing their English (or respected language) and love showing you their city. They are not only very knowledgeable but delightful and free. Our guide was a delightful young lady named Minh (Nguyen Tuyet Minh ). We used her for two wonderful days. She suggested the day trip to the village. We had lunch their with a family and she got us invited to tea at a home. Could not have been happier with our choice. Would definitely contact them and try to get Minh.
Enjoy your trip.
Written July 29, 2015
Can you tell me how to get to Duong Lam village? By bus or other transport?
Written March 25, 2015
Yes, you can go to Duong Lam Village by bus with route Bus 201 (Kim Mã - Viện 105 - Sơn Tây) at Kim Mã Bus station, it take you about an hour and about 15.000vnđ/ticket.
When you arrived, you should rent a bike to go around better than walking.
Written March 25, 2015
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