More than 500 years of existence, through the wars and the destruction of nature, Phuoc Tich village still preserves the pristine beauty of a traditional Vietnamese village.
Located on the bank of O Lau river, Phuoc Tich village, Phong Dien commune attracts many people come here in their Vietnam tour. Phuoc Tich is far about 30 kilometers from center of Hue city to the North; the village has famous for pottery. Now, tourists from whole nation come to Phuoc Tich in order to contemplate Ruong houses with 500 years old. People not only know the trail of Champa ancient pottery – kiln is preserved by local people but also enjoy the beautiful nature.
Phuoc Tich Ancient Village, in the former capital Hue, is an epitome of Vietnam’s peaceful countryside, and famous for the ancient architecture and design of its many old houses and temples. Built in 1470 under the reign of King Le Thanh Tong, the village was recognized as a national relic by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism in 2009. This is the second village of Vietnam with the recognition.
Come into the village in Central Vietnam With World Heritage tour, tourists can see behind the church in which have pits with pieces of glazed terra-cotta. It is known that when building the base of “community house”, people found the artifacts by chance. The number of glazed terra-cotta could be found even in the 1.5 meters.
The first stop for tourists may be Cay Thi Temple, which is about 700 years old. The temple retains harmonizing aspects of Vietnamese and Cham architecture, with linga and yoni relics.
Of the village’s 117 houses, 37 are between 100 and 200 years old. They are so well preserved as to astonish cultural anthropologists, architects and historians. Phuoc Tich houses are mainly made of jackfruit wood and are adorned with exquisite and lively carvings, most of which remain undamaged despite having gone through so many wars throughout the years.
The interiors usually include parallel sentences, a horizontal lacquered board, wooden scrolls, a plank bed and a wardrobe altar.
The mossy, tile roofs of the houses sag slightly. Brick walkways, wind screens and old water wells complete the picture. Lines of Chinese tea trees are often charming substitutes for walls.
Looming somewhere in the ancient village with more than 500 years old, local people still sees the trail of the Champa. From stone stele with relief is worshiped under the roof of tree on the river to Quang Te temple, there have the breath of ancient the Champa. Viet culture blended with Cham culture and existed together in the charming scenery, which makes each relic become pure and close beauty. Roads, streets with grassy green entrance house also keep tourist’s feet.
The green garden surround the ancient “Ruong” houses create the unique Phuoc Tich. The number of “Ruong” houses preserved in the village is approximately 30 houses. It is known as the village of rich people or mandarins in Hue ancient capital. On March 17th 2009, the village is ranked as the national relic.
An alluvial channel winding along the O Lau River, called Ha Cat, is thought to be the place where human souls settle after death. The other side of the river is deemed to be the place for living local people.
The village is also associated with Hue’s royal music (Nha Nhac), which has been recognized as part of the world’s intangible cultural heritage by UNESCO.
If the ancient village of Duong Lam (Son Tay district, Hanoi) is a symbol of architecture of the northern plains, the ancient village of Phuoc Tich (Phong Dien district, Thua Thien Hue) is the symbol of architecture of the central region. Phuoc Tich village will be one of the best destinations in your Vietnam Discovery Tour.
