Duong Lam Ancient Village
A village of laterite houses, communal halls and pagodas near Son Tay — the first ancient village in Vietnam recognised as a national relic.
- Hanoi
- Included in 1 tour
- Tours from $102
- Updated October 2026
About Duong Lam Ancient Village
Duong Lam ancient village lies near the old town of Son Tay, about 45–50 km west of Hanoi. It is famous for its houses and walls of da ong — honey-coloured laterite blocks cut from the local soil — and for keeping the layout of a northern Vietnamese village: a communal house, a pagoda, an old gate, ponds, wells and narrow lanes between family homes. In the mid-2000s Duong Lam became the first ancient village in Vietnam to be recognised as a national historic relic.
The area is made up of several hamlets, with Mong Phu, Dong Sang, Cam Thinh, Doai Giap and Cam Lam forming the old core. Hundreds of traditional houses survive, some of them around 300 years old, with carved wooden frames, tiled roofs and courtyards where families still dry rice and make soy sauce.
The land of two kings
Duong Lam is known in Vietnam as the “land of two kings”: it is the home village of Phung Hung, who led a revolt in the 8th century, and Ngo Quyen, who defeated the Southern Han fleet on the Bach Dang River in 938 and opened the way to independence. Both are honoured at temples in the village area.
What to see in Duong Lam
Start at the old gate of Mong Phu and walk to Mong Phu communal house, built in 1684, one of the finest of its kind in the north. Continue through laterite lanes to open family houses, then to Mia Pagoda, famous for its 287 statues. Along the way, look out for keo che lam and keo doi, the village’s peanut and ginger sweets.
On our full-day Ba Vi jeep tour, we visit Duong Lam in the afternoon after the mountains, walking the laterite lanes, Mong Phu communal house and 300-year-old family homes, then strolling into the rice fields.
Is Duong Lam worth the trip from Hanoi?
Yes, if you enjoy heritage and rural Vietnam. Duong Lam is the country’s first recognised ancient village, 45 to 50 km west of Hanoi, with honey-coloured laterite houses, some around 300 years old, and the classic layout of a northern village – old gate, communal house, pagoda, ponds and lanes. Allow 2 to 3 hours, and because of the distance it works best combined with Ba Vi National Park as a full day.
Worth it?
Why visit Duong Lam Ancient Village?
- Laterite houses and lanesWalls and homes built from honey-coloured laterite blocks.
- Mong Phu communal houseA carved wooden communal house built in 1684, at the heart of the village.
- Mia PagodaA peaceful pagoda known for its 287 statues.
- The old village gateA small brick-and-tile gate that has welcomed visitors for centuries.
- Land of two kingsBirthplace of Phung Hung and Ngo Quyen, two heroes of Vietnamese history.
- Village sweetsKeo che lam and keo doi, made by hand in family kitchens.
Make the most of it
8 best things to do in Duong Lam Ancient Village
Walk through the Mong Phu gate
The old gate of Mong Phu hamlet, with its tiled roof and banyan tree, is the classic starting point. Best in the soft morning light.
Visit Mong Phu communal house
Built in 1684 under the Le dynasty, the hall has huge ironwood columns and fine carvings of dragons and clouds. Free with the village ticket; dress modestly.
Step inside an old family house
Several 300-year-old houses open to visitors, sometimes for a small fee or a purchase. The owners may show you altars, family records and courtyards.
See the statues of Mia Pagoda
Mia Pagoda (Sung Nghiem Tu) holds 287 statues of wood, bronze and clay. A quiet, shady place for half an hour.
Taste keo che lam
Sticky rice, ginger, peanut and molasses bars sold at home kitchens and small shops. A box makes a light souvenir.
Visit the Phung Hung and Ngo Quyen temples
Temples to the two kings are in the village area. Ask a local for directions — they are short rides from Mong Phu.
Walk into the rice fields
Lanes on the edge of the village lead into paddy fields, green in spring and golden in May–June.
Join our Ba Vi and Duong Lam jeep tour
A full day by vintage army jeep: Ba Vi National Park in the morning, lunch of local specialities and Duong Lam in the afternoon.
Timing
Best time to visit Duong Lam Ancient Village
Quiet lanes, villagers at work and soft light on the laterite walls.
Golden light and fewer tour groups.
Village festivals with processions and ceremonies (usually February).
October to April is mild and dry. May to June brings golden rice; July to August is hot and stormy.
Plan your visit
Walking route: two hours in Duong Lam
Mong Phu village gate
Start at the old gate under the banyan tree.
Mong Phu communal house
The carved 17th-century hall in the centre of the village.
Laterite lanes
Walk the narrow alleys between old walls.
An old family house
Step inside a home that has been in the same family for generations.
Keo che lam kitchen
Watch sweets being made and taste them.
Mia Pagoda
Finish among the 287 statues.
Map & directions
How to get to Duong Lam Ancient Village
- By carAbout 1–1.5 hours from central Hanoi via Thang Long Boulevard. A private car day trip usually costs about 1,000,000–1,800,000 VND.
- By busCity buses run to Son Tay; from there take a short taxi or Grab ride to the village.
- Getting aroundWalk or rent a bicycle in the village; the lanes are too narrow for cars.
- With usOur full-day Ba Vi jeep tour includes Duong Lam, lunch and Old Quarter pickup.
Eat like a local
Where to eat near Duong Lam Ancient Village
- Keo che lam and keo doiVillage sweets of sticky rice, ginger, peanuts and molasses.
- Ga MiaMia chicken, a local breed with firm meat, boiled or steamed.
- Tuong Duong LamHome-made fermented soy sauce, used to braise fish and pork.
- Banh teRice-flour cakes wrapped in leaves, a simple local snack.
- Ca kho tuongFish braised with the village soy sauce — try it at a family restaurant.
For your camera
Best photo spots at Duong Lam Ancient Village
- Mong Phu gate and banyan treeThe classic Duong Lam photo, best early.
- Laterite wallsTextured honey-brown walls and moss in narrow lanes.
- Communal house courtyardWide tiled roofs and old wood.
- Rice fields at the village edgeGreen or golden fields with the village behind.
Local advice
Tips for visiting Duong Lam Ancient Village
Do
- Buy the village ticket at the entrance booth
- Ask before entering or photographing private homes
- Dress modestly for the communal house and pagoda
- Buy sweets direct from the families who make them
- Walk or cycle rather than drive inside the village
Don’t
- Walk into courtyards without being invited
- Climb on old walls or gates
- Expect a museum — people live and work here
- Visit at midday in summer without shade and water
- Leave rubbish in the lanes or ponds
Visit with a local
Tours that visit Duong Lam Ancient Village
Hanoi · Jeep
Ba Vi National Park & Duong Lam Village Jeep Tour (Full Day)
132+ booked
From $120
$102
per adult
Good to know
Duong Lam Ancient Village: questions & answers
Where is Duong Lam ancient village?
Near Son Tay, about 45–50 km west of central Hanoi, around 1–1.5 hours by road.
How much is the Duong Lam ancient village ticket?
About 20,000 VND for adults and less for children. Some private houses ask a small extra fee.
What is Duong Lam famous for?
Its laterite houses, Mong Phu communal house (1684), Mia Pagoda and as the home village of Phung Hung and Ngo Quyen.
How old is Duong Lam village?
The settlement is more than a thousand years old; many surviving houses date back about 300 years.
Is Duong Lam ancient village worth visiting?
Yes, for a slow, authentic look at a northern village. It pairs well with Ba Vi National Park for a full day.
How long do you need in Duong Lam?
Two to three hours is enough to walk the main sights and taste local sweets.
What is keo che lam?
A local sweet made from sticky rice flour, ginger, peanuts and molasses — Duong Lam’s best-known souvenir.
What is there to see in Duong Lam?
Start at the old gate of Mong Phu and its 1684 communal house, walk the laterite lanes to open 300-year-old family homes where people still make soy sauce, and visit Mia Pagoda, famous for its 287 statues. Look out for the village sweets keo che lam and keo doi along the way.
Can I visit Duong Lam and Ba Vi in one day?
Yes – they are in the same direction west of Hanoi and combine naturally into a full day. Our full-day jeep tour drives to Ba Vi National Park in the morning, then visits Duong Lam in the afternoon, walking the laterite lanes and the Mong Phu communal house before the rice fields.
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