Loc Yen develops tourism.

This place has become a popular tourist destination and is now attracting even more attention due to the growing trend of rural tourism...

“I am the seventh generation to own this ancient house. It was built during my great-grandfather's time. Many generations of my family have preserved, protected, and cherished it as a priceless ‘memento’,” said 75-year-old Nguyen Dinh Hoan, speaking about the nearly 200-year-old house he owns in Tien Canh commune, Tien Phuoc district ( Quang Nam province). According to Mr. Hoan, the house is made of jackfruit wood and took 12 years of labor to complete, meticulously crafted down to the smallest detail. The foundation is built from soil from termite mounds, making it very sturdy and durable. When his father (Nguyen Huynh Anh) was alive, the Ngo Dinh Diem government sent people to inquire about buying the house, even offering to exchange it for a villa in Saigon, but his father refused. Thanks to this, Loc Yen still preserves this valuable ancient house with its unique architecture.

A view of the ancient village of Loc Yen from above.

MANH CUONG

“This village used to have hundreds of ancient houses. But during the war, bombs destroyed them all, and now only about 8 houses remain intact as they were when they were first built. Currently, the ancient houses in Loc Yen village are becoming a favorite tourist attraction,” Mr. Hoan shared.

According to Mr. Hoan, elders recounted that the ancient village of Loc Yen was formed during the land reclamation and village establishment efforts of the 15th-16th centuries. The village covers a total area of 279 hectares, with nearly 200 households. During the Tay Son dynasty (1771-1802), Mr. Nguyen Cong Tuyet (from Tam Ky) brought his family and some villagers to reclaim land and establish a village, naming it Loc An hamlet, later known as Loc Yen. To this day, after seven generations, Loc Yen village has many clans living together harmoniously.

Ancient well at the edge of the village

Ancient village undergoes transformation

In recent years, many families in Loc Yen have focused on beautifying their gardens to create a green, clean, and attractive environment, combining this with community-based tourism development and working together with the government to promote tourism. To meet the accommodation needs of tourists, many families have built homestay models in their own homes and gardens. Each year, this model helps local people earn hundreds of millions of dong.

The ancient houses in Loc Yen village are nearly 200 years old.

MANH CUONG

Mr. Nguyen Dinh Suu (from Loc Yen village) said that since the Tien Phuoc district's project to develop garden economy , farm economy, and ecotourism was implemented, his family has invested in beautifying their garden. “After visiting the ancient house, tourists often stop by the garden to take photos, buy agricultural products and fruits to take home as gifts. I think developing community tourism both promotes the strengths of the garden economy, increases income, and creates jobs for unemployed people in the locality. Tourists come to Loc Yen ancient village first to breathe the fresh air, and then to experience the unique values that only this ancient village possesses,” Mr. Suu said.

Mr. Nguyen Phuoc Duong, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Tien Canh commune, said that Loc Yen ancient village is truly "transforming". In recent years, the number of domestic and international tourists visiting Loc Yen ancient village in particular and Tien Phuoc district in general has increased significantly, estimated at nearly hundreds of thousands per year. Especially, in response to the National Tourism Year 2022 program, Tien Phuoc district has early plans to develop tourism in the area, preparing to organize the Loc Yen Village Festival, the mangosteen festival, and tourism products to serve tourists at ancient houses...

Mossy stone alley

According to Mr. Duong, previously the villagers only knew how to garden, but since the community tourism development project was implemented, they have become more adaptable to "doing tourism." The people are more dynamic, proactively interacting with tourists, and trading agricultural products brings in high income. “Coming to Loc Yen village, tourists have the opportunity to learn about local cultural values, participate in festivals, visit and explore ancient houses, stone alleyways, and enjoy local culinary specialties of Tien Phuoc... The local government's view is to develop tourism in conjunction with preserving historical relics and promoting the heritage values that the ancient village of Loc Yen possesses,” Mr. Duong said.

Preserving priceless mementos.

Loc Yen Ancient Village (Tien Canh Commune, Tien Phuoc District) is located more than 40 km southwest of Tam Ky city, the provincial capital. In September 2019, Loc Yen Ancient Village was recognized as a national historical site and is one of the four most beautiful ancient villages in Vietnam. Locals affectionately call Loc Yen Ancient Village "the land of fairies" because it boasts ancient houses, moss-covered stone lanes, and a serene beauty reminiscent of a fairyland. The highlight of the village is the harmonious combination of moss-covered stone lanes hidden beneath towering green betel nut trees, fruit orchards, rice fields, and ancient houses with exquisite architecture. Tea plants embrace the winding, deep stone paths leading to the ancient houses, creating a peaceful and rustic atmosphere. This combination gives Loc Yen Ancient Village its unique and distinctive character. Furthermore, the clever and refined arrangement of the clusters of ancient houses makes the village resemble a traditional ink painting.

The most valuable aspect of this village is the preservation of eight ancient houses, aged between 150 and 200 years. These ancient houses still retain their original three-bay, two-wing stone walls and yin-yang tiled roofs in the traditional Vietnamese house style. All of them have preserved their cultural and historical value despite enduring numerous bombing raids during wartime. The owners still cherish the heritage left by their ancestors, such as the mysterious rotating table and the unique altar cabinet with intricate mother-of-pearl carvings… contributing to the tranquil, pristine atmosphere of Loc Yen, evoking strong emotions in visitors from all over.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/loc-yen-lam-du-lich-1851498036.htm