Hanoi (VNA) - The Cultural and Tourism Festival of Dong Hoa Hiep Ancient Village 2024 will take place on November 14-15 (October 14–15 on the lunar calendar).
According to the People’s Committee of Cai Be district, key festival activities include a traditional rural market, a folk cake-making competition, an OCOP products and local specialties exhibition, a fruit tray decoration contest, and displays of local tourism products and services. Visitors will also enjoy floating lantern ceremonies, and folk games.
The opening ceremony will be held at 7:00 PM on November 14, and the closing ceremony will take place at 8:30 PM on November 15, both hosted at the Dong Hoa Hiep Commune People’s Committee venue.
The annual festival aims to conserve and promote the cultural heritage of Dong Hoa Hiep ancient village while boosting tourism development in Cai Be district.
Recognised as a National Heritage Site in 2017 by the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, Dong Hoa Hiep is renowned for its traditional Southern Vietnamese garden houses.
The village is home to seven ancient houses that are 150 to 220 years old, alongside 29 additional houses built 80 to 100 years ago. These homes reflect the Southern Vietnamese architectural style, featuring five-compartment layouts, wooden carvings, and sophisticated decorative details.
Within these houses, visitors take in antique items such as mother-of-pearl inlaid wood panels, intricately carved furniture, and rare ceramic artefacts.
Unlike some ancient villages where homes are clustered together, Dong Hoa Hiep's houses are interspersed among lush fruit orchards, creating a rustic yet picturesque setting that captivates visitors.
Notable homes include the residence of Tran Tuan Kiet, built in 1838 and recognised by Japanese researchers as one of Vietnam’s “Nine most beautiful ancient houses.” This house features 108 rare wood pillars and a wealth of cultural relics.
Another standout is the Phan Van Duc family home, which combines traditional Southern Vietnamese and French architectural elements, surrounded by a sprawling 19,000m² fruit orchard.
Ancient houses now serve as homestay destinations, offering tourists a chance to immerse themselves in local life through activities such as making rice cakes, fishing, visiting the Cai Be floating market, and enjoying traditional Southern Vietnamese folk music (don ca tai tu).
With the ongoing efforts to preserve cultural heritage while integrating sustainable tourism, Dong Hoa Hiep ancient village is positioned as a model for eco-tourism in the Mekong Delta. The province’s strategic investments aim to transform the village into an attractive destination for both domestic and international visitors, showcasing the unique charm of Southern Vietnamese culture./.
