Recreating familiar images of the countryside.
The ancient village of Đường Lâm (Sơn Tây, Hanoi) has long been a familiar destination for domestic and international tourists, thanks to its distinctive features of an ancient Vietnamese village in the Northern Delta. Creating unique tourism products to enhance the village's appeal is a priority for locals, and the newly introduced ox cart tour has received a positive response from many visitors.
The person behind the idea of incorporating ox carts into tourism is Mr. Ha Ke Dung, a resident of Mong Phu hamlet, Duong Lam ancient village. Born and raised amidst laterite stone walls, Mr. Dung has a deep love for every house and alleyway of his homeland. With many years of experience in the tourism industry, he is always concerned about how to authentically showcase the beauty of Duong Lam to visitors. In the Vietnamese psyche, the ox is always a central figure in stories about farming. Therefore, Mr. Dung decided to incorporate this image into tourism to bring back the simplest aspects of life to the village, helping the locals understand that tourism is sometimes simply a continuation of the traditional daily work of their ancestors.
Dung's journey to realize his tourism idea faced many difficulties. Finding a buffalo with a gentle, approachable nature and the ability to interact with strangers, especially in an era where buffaloes are primarily raised for meat, was a major challenge.
After selecting a buffalo he liked and affectionately naming it "Bean," Mr. Dung faced the challenge of finding suitable space. Due to the limited space in the ancient village, keeping the buffalo in a stable was inconvenient, so he had to build a pen on the outskirts of the village to ensure hygiene. Next came the task of finding someone to care for the buffalo and operate the cart smoothly, ensuring the safety of visitors. After much effort, Mr. Dung was finally able to witness Bean leisurely pulling the cart, carrying visitors through the nooks and crannies of Mong Phu village.
The appeal of Hạt Đậu lies in its rare intelligence and friendliness. Mr. Dũng says this buffalo possesses beautiful, long, curved horns and, most importantly, is very obedient to its owner. Upon hearing a command, Hạt Đậu can use its horns to lift the yoke onto its shoulder, ready for a new journey.
The buffalo's docility dispelled the initial apprehension of visitors, especially children. For Mr. Dung, the greatest reward after all his efforts is the smiles of tourists when they get close to the farmer's "main source of livelihood." Mr. Dung feels happy to contribute to bringing the vibrant image of the countryside to life in modern times.
Feel the rhythm of time on the laterite rock formations.
Sitting in a wooden ox cart, tourists no longer feel the rush they experience when riding electric cars or motorbikes. The slow pace of the ox, combined with the steady sound of the wheels, creates a wonderfully relaxing feeling.
From this vantage point, visitors can leisurely admire the rough laterite stone walls and dark brown tiled roofs of the century-old houses lining the main axis of the village. The peaceful atmosphere of Duong Lam is more evident than ever, where every street corner and every row of trees carries within it a glorious historical story of the land of two kings.
Ms. Chu Thuy Linh (residing in Cua Nam ward, Hanoi ) recently had a fun experience with her son riding in a cart pulled by the buffalo named Hat Dau. Ms. Linh shared that she was very impressed with the novelty of this service. Especially in today's modern society, riding in a buffalo cart is a way to experience and feel the atmosphere of the countryside. Instead of just reading about it in books, Ms. Linh's son saw a buffalo up close for the first time and touched the large animal, something he doesn't always have the opportunity to do. According to Ms. Linh, the people in Duong Lam are very hospitable, creating a feeling of security and closeness, like returning home.
The ox cart ride takes visitors through famous landmarks of the village such as Mong Phu communal house, then to the lush green rice fields surrounding the village. Ms. Linh expressed particular delight when the cart stopped at the Lo Bieu restaurant area, a unique ancient architectural structure often featured in photographs. Ms. Linh commented that this was a valuable real-life experience, helping her understand more about the value of simple things in rural life.
Despite only being in operation for a short time, the ox cart service has gained popularity among tourists visiting Duong Lam. Videos of tourists sharing their ox cart rides on social media have also received many positive responses. Everyone is curious about the beautiful ancient village and its unique experiences.
Not only domestic tourists, but many foreign tourists are also enthusiastic about the ox cart ride. Mr. Ha Ke Dung noticed that both urban and international tourists want to immerse themselves in a peaceful atmosphere, chat with local people, and learn about traditional ways of life. In the future, Mr. Dung hopes to develop a complete experiential tour. There, tourists can not only ride ox carts but also join locals in picking fruit, participate in farming activities, and share simple meals under traditional houses.
The success of this service shows that today's tourists not only need luxurious amenities but also yearn for authentic, genuine values. Developing more experiential services like ox cart rides is a sustainable way to preserve the value of Duong Lam ancient village.
Source: https://baotintuc.vn/du-lich/di-xe-trau-kham-pha-lang-co-duong-lam-20260403152040618.htm
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