The peaceful scenery of Phong Nam ancient village. Photo: VINH LOC
Remnants of an ancient village
The group of young tourists from the United States were surprised and intrigued when they were introduced to the old house of Mr. Le Duc Phuc's family (Hoa Xuan ward).
With its traditional three-bay, two-wing house architecture, yin-yang tiled roof, and intricately carved wooden frame, the house stands as a witness to the prosperous era of its owner.
"This is the first time I've seen a traditional Vietnamese house; it's quite cool and beautiful, very different from the houses in America. It's a very unique and interesting architectural style," one tourist commented.
Mr. Le Duc Phuc is the fourth-generation descendant living in the house, which is over 150 years old. Although it has undergone several renovations and repairs, the house still retains its original appearance.
Mr. Phuc said that whenever a group of visitors comes to tour the house, the whole family respectfully and enthusiastically welcomes them, considering it not only an honor but also an opportunity to proudly showcase the traditional values of the house.
The ancient village of Phong Nam (formerly Phong Le village) was formed over 500 years ago, associated with the nation's territorial expansion. In 1896, during the reign of King Thanh Thai, Phong Le village was divided into Phong Le Bac (Phong Bac) and Phong Le Nam (Phong Nam).
Having endured many historical upheavals, the remaining traces today, besides the ancient houses, are the Than Nong communal house and the ancestral temple of Phong Le village. These two structures were classified as city-level historical and cultural relics in 2007 and 2025, respectively.
According to Mr. Ngo Van Cam (88 years old, Phong Nam village), in the past, the village had many ancient architectural structures such as communal houses, temples, churches... even in the 1990s, there were still dozens of old houses. However, with the process of urbanization, the old houses were gradually demolished and rebuilt, while the remaining ones deteriorated or collapsed.
Currently, the village has about 5-7 old houses left, most of them damaged, except for the house of Mr. Le Duc Phuc's family. "Some families have had to replace their traditional tile roofs with corrugated iron to protect against rain and sun, which has affected and diminished the original value of the houses. In the long run, the old houses in the village will disappear. We hope the government will soon provide financial support to preserve these old houses," Mr. Cam said.
Conservation linked with tourism development.
According to the genealogies of the clans in the village, the first Vietnamese people to settle and develop the new land of Phong Le were mainly from Thanh Hoa, Nghe An, and Ha Tinh provinces. Initially, there were only 13 clans, gradually increasing to 17, and today there are 20 clans.
Mr. Phung Long Hai, a member of the Council of Clans of Phong Le Village's Ancestral Temple, recounted that although some clans arrived earlier and others later, they were all treated equally and supported each other in the new land. Notably, they are all worshipped together in one ancestral temple, with offerings made twice a year, spring and autumn.
Over time, this place has not only become a place of worship and gratitude to the ancestors who contributed to the founding of the village and the land, but also a place to preserve historical memories, unite the community, and spread the principle of remembering one's roots to succeeding generations.
"It's difficult to restore the ancient village now, but the people still hope that the government will pay attention to investing in and developing it into an attractive tourist destination, so that future generations can be proud of the village's rich history and culture," Mr. Hai shared.
A corner of Phong Nam ancient village. Photo: VINH LOC
In March 2025, the Hoa Chau Eco- Agricultural Community Tourism Cooperative was established, with the participation of 15 local farming households. Visiting the village, tourists can not only experience traditional culture, try their hand at farming, pick vegetables, visit fields, catch crabs and snails, fly kites, and enjoy local cuisine, but also explore the peaceful rural landscape, gaining a deeper understanding of the region's history and culture through its ancient architectural structures.
In particular, tourism activities not only create livelihoods and income for the people but also contribute to raising community awareness, helping to preserve and promote the value of ancient villages more sustainably.
In fact, for several years now, the overall preservation of Phong Nam ancient village has been considered by relevant departments and agencies of the city; however, due to a number of reasons, the project has not yet been implemented.
According to the Da Nang City Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, preserving and promoting the value of Phong Nam ancient village, especially its ancient architecture, not only helps revive the appearance of a village with a rich history and culture, but also aims to transform it into a unique cultural space.
Currently, the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism is finalizing the dossier to submit to the city for a report on the investment plan for two historical sites: Than Nong communal house and Phong Le ancestral temple. The project is expected to be implemented by the end of 2026.
Amidst the rapid changes of modern urbanization, the ancient village of Phong Nam quietly stands as a witness to history. The revival of the village's space is not only about preserving the old houses and ancient structures, but also an effort to conserve a part of the region's cultural soul.
With proper attention and development, Phong Nam has the potential to become an attractive destination on Da Nang's cultural tourism map in the future.
Source: https://baodanang.vn/cho-hoi-sinh-lang-co-phong-nam-3331723.html
Comment (0)