Thua Thien-Hue takes steps to preserve Phuoc Tich ancient village

Thua Thien-Hue (VNA) – The central province of Thua Thien-Hue has invested over 2 billion VND (85,700 USD) on a master plan to preserve and promote the historic and architectural values of the Phuoc Tich ancient village in tandem with sustainable tourism development.

The master plan will identify relics of the ancient village that need protection and preservation, provide guidance on the reconstruction of the architectural space and landscape surrounding the relics, and develop tourism services for the benefit of the local community.

Earlier this year, the province spent more than 3.6 billion VND (nearly 155,180 USD) to restore five “nha ruong” (old garden houses built with wooden beams and pillars) in Phuoc Tich. The move forms part of the province’s project to safeguard and promote the values of Hue’s iconic garden houses.

Once the restoration was completed, the management board of Phuoc Tich discussed with historic house owners on how to tidy them up and improve their landscape design before they are opened to the public, said Doan Quyet Thang, the management board’s Deputy Director.

The wooden houses are also expected to serve community-based tourism and be used for homestay services, he added.

Phuoc Tich, 50km from Hue city, is one of only two ancient villages in Vietnam recognised as national cultural-historical relics by the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, together with Duong Lam in Hanoi.

Located at Phong Hoa commune in Phong Dien district, the village was formed under the reign of King Le Thanh Tong (1460-1497) where it was initially called Dong Quyet, only to be subsequently renamed Phuoc Tich during the Nguyen Dynasty (1802-1945).

It has maintained its traditional craft of pottery throughout the centuries.

Families in the village have earned a living from making ceramics for the past 500 years. Phuoc Tich ceramics used to be very famous, once used by the Nguyen kings. 

Phuoc Tinh also boasts 26 century-old houses carved with sophisticated patterns, which have invaluable architectural and cultural values. 

These ancient wooden houses were built with three compartments and two lean-tos, surrounded by a garden with rows of green tea bushes serving as a fence for the brick-covered courtyard. Many of them are now in very poor condition, requiring urgent restoration.

There are seven garden houses in Phuoc Tich currently engaged in tourism, four of which provide homestay services. Visitors to the village can also enjoy sightseeing tours around the garden houses and experience traditional cake making, ceramic making, lantern floating, and a boat ride along the O Lau River.

By 2020, the province aims to restore a total of 25 “nha ruong” in the village . Last year, the village welcomed nearly 2,700 visitors. –VNA