Old lanes
Brick walls.
Quangpraha — CC0 · Bem photography: — CC BY 2.0 · Bùi Thụy Đào Nguyên — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Bùi Thụy Đào Nguyên — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Ngokhong (thảo luận) — CC BY 3.0
Đường Lâm is a cluster of ancient villages in the Sơn Tây area of Hanoi, on the right bank of the Red River near the junction of National Routes 32 and 21A, about 42 km west of central Hanoi in a straight line, or about 50 km by road. The Tích River runs through it from Suối Hai Lake. Of its nine hamlets, five are authentic ancient villages: Cam Thịnh, Cam Lâm, Đoài Giáp, Đông Sàng and Mông Phụ; the other four are more recent. In 2006 Đường Lâm became the first ancient village in Vietnam to be recognised as a national historical and cultural relic. The area has only officially carried the name Đường Lâm since 1964. Narrow lanes wind between old walls of brick and stone, lined with traditional tile-roofed houses, and old gates with curved roofs stand at the village entrances. Huge trees shade the village squares, and green rice fields surround it all. Visitors wander the lanes on foot or by bicycle, taking in the traditional houses and old gates. The village is lived in, so respect residents' privacy and ask before taking photos. It makes an easy day trip from Hanoi.
Brick walls.
Curved roofs.
All around.
Sơn Tây, Hanoi, Vietnam
Yes, as a day trip.
Yes, so respect residents' privacy.