Dong Thap (VNA) – Dong Hoa Hiep ancient village in Cai Be commune, the Mekong Delta province of Dong Thap, is an attractive destination drawing a large number of domestic and international visitors to its century-old houses and unique architecture.
Dong Hoa Hiep, located in Cai Be commune of Dong Thap province (previously Dong Hoa Hiep commune of Cai Be district, Tien Giang province), is home to seven houses dating back 150–220 years, and 29 others built between 80–100 years ago. It is one of the three ancient villages in Vietnam selected by the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) for investment to develop rural tourism. It was one of the top attractions in former Tien Giang province.
The architectural and artistic relic of Dong Hoa Hiep was recognised as one of national significance by the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism in 2017. Two ancient houses, those of Le Quang Xoat and Vo Van Vo, in the village have been classified as provincial-level historical – cultural relic sites.
Nguyen Thanh Tuan, Vice Chairman of the Cai Be commune People's Committee, shared that in the coming time, to guide the development of Dong Hoa Hiep ancient village and promote sustainable tourism, the administration will collaborate with the owners of the ancient houses and businesses to tap into the potential of this national heritage site.
Additionally, local authorities plan to survey all the ancient houses in Dong Hoa Hiep and establish a tourism management board for the village to implement planning and investment projects. With these efforts, this village is expected to become an ideal model for developing waterway ecotourism linked to ancient houses in the Mekong Delta, said Tuan.
Following Plan No. 521/KH-UBND, issued on November 12, 2025 by the Dong Thap provincial People’s Committee, the sixth culture and tourism festival of Dong Hoa Hiep ancient village is taking place from December 3 to 7. It aims to preserve and promote the architectural and cultural values of this village while engaging the local community in sustainable tourism development, according to Tuan.
This year’s festival, themed "Memories of the Ancient Village", features a variety of activities. Highlights include a heritage journey showcasing Dong Thap’s historical relic sites and traditional culture, local OCOP (One Commune Once Product) items, and agricultural specialities, alongside demonstrations of famous local crafts such as weaving, silk-making, and rice paper production.
The festival also includes a famtrip programme that enables participants to explore the province’s top tourist spots to design new tourism routes linking to Dong Hoa Hiep. Besides, a seminar is planned to discuss the development of new tourism products, including those connecting this ancient village with other destinations in and outside Dong Thap.
A major attraction this year is the reenactment of the Cai Be floating market – a cultural signature in the Mekong Delta, offering visitors a unique waterway dining experience with local dishes and specialities. A folk-dance programme, a storytelling competition, and a Vietnamese goods fair are also expected to add to the festival’s appeal./.
