Dai Khe - a place that preserves memories

Nestled beside the Dahan River, the old town of Daxi in Taiwan (China) still preserves the intact memory of a bustling trading port in the 19th century.

Visiting Dai Khe ancient town, I not only admired its beauty but also paused to contemplate the story of time.

An interesting "headache"

Returning to Taiwan once again, still on a Vietjet flight with a modern aircraft and a young, dynamic cabin crew, I began exploring new destinations on this island.

I had a hard time choosing where to visit, because from Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Nha Trang to Taiwan there are many itineraries such as Taipei, Taichung, Tainan, and Kaohsiung. Among them, Taipei is modern, Taichung is relaxed, Tainan is rich in history, Kaohsiung is vibrant with its seaside views, and Jiufen is enchanting with its red lanterns, like something out of a fairy tale – all are appealing. Every place is interesting and makes me want to book a Vietjet flight and pack my bags to go.

Dai Khe Old Town, with its nostalgic charm, helps relieve stress and fatigue.

Wanting to reconnect with the past and reminisce about the old days to relieve stress and fatigue after a long period of work, I chose to stop in Daxi, the old town of Taoyuan City, located southwest of Taipei.

Old town by the river

Flight VJ942 departed from Hanoi and landed at Taoyuan Airport at 6 PM. I went to Taipei to rest, then the next day I leisurely took a train and then a bus to Taixi, beginning to immerse myself in the old-world charm and tranquility of the ancient town. Taixi impressed me with its narrow streets and ancient houses, their facades intricately carved, bearing the indelible mark of a prosperous era that shaped Taixi's appearance today.

Located on the banks of the Dahan River, since the 19th century, Daxi has emerged as a bustling trading port and become an attractive tourist destination in Taiwan, bearing similarities to the ancient town of Hoi An. Baroque architecture is prevalent in Daxi, but it is not purely European Baroque; rather, it is a Taiwanese Baroque style, a blend of Western and traditional Chinese architecture.

Tourists reminisce about the vibrant life of a bustling trading port.

The most distinctive details of the houses are the European-style columns, curved arches, and raised relief patterns. The houses have narrow facades but are deep in length, convenient for business. Architects call Dai Khe a blend of Western style and local tradition, creating a unique architecture.

You may also like

Promoting the development of the night-time economy.The competitiveness of a destination is not only measured by the number of visitors, but also by its ability to retain tourists when the city lights up. For Quang Ninh, the challenge of developing the night-time economy is not simply about extending the operating hours of services, but about creating experiences that are sufficiently unique to transform nighttime into economic value. Over two years of implementing the pilot project for developing the night-time economy in the province for the period 2023-2025 has shown positive signs, with many new products, entertainment spaces, and cultural venues continuously being launched.

South Korea wants to bring Vietnamese tourists to rural areas.In an effort to attract international tourists away from the crowded streets of Seoul, South Korea wants to develop a new tourism route, directing Vietnamese visitors to rural areas.

With Typhoon Maysak approaching, tourists should postpone trekking and swimming.On the morning of July 3rd, the tropical depression intensified into the first storm of the year. Authorities advised tourists to avoid the beach, trekking, and camping near streams.

Strolling along the moss-covered streets, amidst the hustle and bustle of tourists and stalls, I admired the exquisite European artwork, blending into the slow, nostalgic pace of life in some ancient capital, yet finding something unique unlike anywhere else.

The Sound of Time

Walking down Heping Street, I felt a cool breeze from the Dahan River. Turning onto Puji Street, a street running along the riverbank, I saw expansive gardens with lush green lawns and refreshing trees, offering a moment of respite before continuing my exploration. I leisurely paused here, gently closing my eyes, listening to and feeling the vibrant sounds of the bustling port, carried over by time.

Puji Street runs along the Dahan River, where the bustling sounds of the old trading port still echo.

The Dahan River wharf was once a gateway for ships from the sea to travel inland. Thanks to this, Daxi became an important transit point connecting the inland areas of the island to the sea, facilitating exports, and serving as a receiving point for goods from other countries, transporting them to other parts of Taiwan. Goods traded through Daxi included timber, rice, tea, coal, and mountain produce. Among these, camphor was a commodity that brought wealth to the people of Daxi.

At its peak, the Daikhe trading port was bustling with ships coming and going. Merchants from many places, not only from Taiwan and China, but also from England, Germany, the Netherlands, and Spain, came here to trade and establish headquarters, contributing to the formation of the distinctive Daikhe district.

The Dai Khe Bridge, spanning the Dai Han River, is a witness to Dai Khe's transformation from a bustling trading port to a historical and tourist town.

Through ups and downs, the Dai Han River has changed course, and its water depth is no longer sufficient for waterway transportation. Along with this, the development of railway and road systems has closed the role of Dai Khe as a trading port, but it remains a witness to the memories of its golden age.

The soul of cuisine

While the ancient streets preserve the memory of bustling trade, the cuisine offers a glimpse into the daily life of the residents of Dai Khe. Dai Khe's cuisine clearly reflects the history of commerce and life in this area.

Food stalls always attract tourists when they come to Dai Khe.

United States - Vietnam: Don't miss

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs received a copy of the Letter of Credence for the U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam.On the afternoon of July 2nd, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs headquarters, Mr. Le Cong Dung, Director of the State Protocol and Foreign Interpretation Department, received a copy of the Letter of Credence from Ms. Jennifer Wicks, Ambassador of the United States of America to Vietnam.

Ambassador Nguyen Quoc Dung visits and works in Minnesota, USA.From June 28-30, the Vietnamese Ambassador to the United States, Nguyen Quoc Dung, paid a visit and worked in Minnesota.

Vietnam encourages US businesses to expand investment in high technology.On the morning of June 26th, at the Government Headquarters, Deputy Prime Minister Ho Quoc Dung received Mr. Jeff Place, Supply Chain Director of Coherent Group (USA). During the meeting, the Deputy Prime Minister affirmed that Vietnam encourages US businesses to expand investment, especially in high-tech, innovation, and semiconductor industries.

Dai Khe is famous for its dried tofu with a distinctive aroma. The fragrance emanates from the stalls, permeates the street, blends into the air, and gently entices me. Here, the tofu stalls are crowded with people queuing up, waiting for their turn to enjoy the treat. Due to the nature of their work transporting goods, tofu is a suitable food for the locals. Dai Khe tofu is firmly pressed, has a glossy brown color, and a chewy texture; the more you chew, the richer and sweeter the flavor becomes.

Besides tofu, Dai Khe also offers many other delicious dishes, all handcrafted using family recipes passed down through generations. The locals maintain these dishes partly to preserve the essence of their ancestors' traditions, and partly to allow visitors to reconnect with Dai Khe's rich history and culture. However, being a welcoming place for people from all over, dishes like soft, chewy rice cakes, peanut-based cakes with a rustic flavor, and noodle soups are seasoned to suit everyone's taste.

Dai Khe is a place where visitors can immerse themselves in the simple, beautiful, and tranquil flow of time.

As evening fell and the sun gradually set, casting an amber hue over the weathered roofs, further enhancing the tranquil beauty of Dai Khe. The last rays of sunlight falling on each step made me half want to leave, half want to stay.

Dai Khe is like a quiet note in a piece of music, allowing me to immerse myself in its simplicity, beauty, and peaceful flow with time, preserving the memory of this impressive destination on my journey aboard Vietjet flights.

Source: https://znews.vn/dai-khe-noi-luu-giu-ky-uc-post1665482.html