What makes the ancient villages of Tien Giang so attractive to tourists?

Dong Hoa Hiep Ancient Village is one of four ancient villages in Vietnam being preserved by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). Every year, it attracts hundreds of thousands of international visitors.

Traveling approximately 120km from Ho Chi Minh City along National Highway 1 towards the Mekong Delta, visitors will reach Dong Hoa Hiep ancient village, located in Dong Hoa Hiep commune, Cai Be district, Tien Giang province.

The Dong Hoa Hiep ancient village in Cai Be district is being preserved by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

The ancient houses boast unique and distinctive architecture, bearing the imprint of many historical periods. They are a famous tourist attraction in the picturesque Mekong Delta region, drawing numerous domestic and international visitors during holidays and festivals.

During a visit to an ancient village at the beginning of the new year, Mr. Phan Van Duc (Tien Giang) and Ms. Nguyen Thi Thanh Hoa ( Long An ) couldn't stop praising the houses built entirely of precious wood. In particular, the center of the house features four large pillars made of red Cam Xe wood, which, after many years of use, has a very deep, glossy color.

Mr. Ba Duc's old house is over 175 years old.

Besides the pillars, the house also has three altars inlaid with shimmering mother-of-pearl, arranged according to the principle of east-facing vases - west-facing fruits. On the right is a wooden box inlaid with a dragon motif, containing a royal decree of divine conferment granted by Emperor Tự Đức between 1848 and 1860. "I've lived for almost 80 years, and only now have I seen these centuries-old houses with my own eyes," Mrs. Hoa happily shared.

According to Mr. Phan Quang Vinh (the 7th generation owner of the house), this ancient house was built in 1850 (over 175 years old) and renovated in 1938. The house is built on a 2-hectare plot of land, divided into two parts: the upper house and the lower house, separated by a courtyard – called a skylight – which serves to provide light.

Tourists experience the newly restored floating market on Tan Phong islet, Cai Lay district.

Ms. Nguyen Luu Mai Thanh (48 years old, residing in Tan An City, Long An Province) said that during Tet (Lunar New Year), her family often travels to the Mekong Delta. Besides visiting the Dong Hoa Hiep ancient house, they also enjoy spring excursions to Cai Be floating market, Thoi Son islet tourist area (My Tho City), and admire the stunning scenery of the Dong Thap Muoi ecological reserve in Tan Phuoc district, Tien Giang Province...

"At these tourist destinations, my children are delighted by the peaceful atmosphere of the orchards with sweet fruits nestled alongside gentle canals, streams, and rivers. Along with that are the natural forests with many rare species of flora and fauna, and hundreds of birds and egrets soaring in the sky at the Dong Thap Muoi Ecological Reserve," Ms. Thanh shared.

Many international tour groups take souvenir photos next to the ancient houses of Dong Hoa Hiep village.

According to Mr. Vo Thanh Phong, Director of Viet Phong Cai Be Tourism Company Limited, most tourists visiting Cai Be come to explore the ancient houses, traditional craft villages, and the recently restored floating market at Tan Phong islet, Cai Lay district, Tien Giang province.

According to Mr. Le Van Y, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Cai Be District, Dong Hoa ancient house village, built before 1945, consists of about 10 houses with unique and distinctive architecture, bearing the imprint of many historical periods. To date, some of the ancient houses have been restored and preserved, becoming a famous tourist attraction drawing many domestic and international visitors.

Domestic and international tourists were delighted after visiting Mr. Ba Duc's old house.

These old houses are mostly located along rivers, canals, and ditches. They have spacious grounds, surrounded by orchards and small ditches for irrigation during the dry season and drainage during the rainy season and flood season.

The first two houses in the Dong Hoa Hiep ancient village to be restored and preserved by JICA belong to Mr. Tran Tuan Kiet (Phu Hoa hamlet) and Mr. Phan Van Duc (An Loi hamlet).

Many international tourist groups come to Tien Giang to experience rowing boats on the canals and waterways.

In 2017, Dong Hoa Hiep ancient village was honored to receive the National Monument Certificate and the Certificate recognizing the Dong Hoa Hiep Ancient Village Cultural and Tourism Festival as a provincial-level intangible cultural heritage.

Currently, there are 9 ancient houses dating back 150-220 years and 29 houses built 80-100 years ago. These ancient houses still preserve many sets of mother-of-pearl inlaid couplets, elaborately carved furniture sets, and many rare porcelain items, showcasing the refined and elegant tastes of wealthy families in Southern Vietnam in the past.

Many young people enjoy experiencing travel in the Mekong Delta during holidays and Tet (Lunar New Year).

The ancient village of Dong Hoa Hiep is attracting an increasing number of visitors, especially international tourists, who come to explore, research, and experience its history. During the Lunar New Year of 2025, the village welcomed 88 groups with 476 visitors, including 83 international groups with 444 guests.

During the 7-day Lunar New Year holiday in 2025, Tien Giang province received over 183,126 visitors, an increase of more than 25% compared to the Lunar New Year holiday in 2024. Of these, 20,052 were international visitors, also an increase of more than 25% compared to the same period.

Source: https://www.baogiaothong.vn/lang-nha-co-tien-giang-co-gi-hap-dan-du-khach-192250210143543716.htm