Visit the ancient village of Phuoc Tich VietNamNet Bridge - 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. 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. 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. Phuoc Tich Village spreads along the poetic O Lau River at the border of Thua Thien-Hue and Quang Tri provinces. It has all the features of a typical Vietnamese traditional village. There are river wharfs, temple yards, old pagodas and paths winding among endless tea trees in the village. Temple and domestic structures are dappled with moss. 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. 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. The ancient village of Phuoc Tich was recognized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism as national relic in 2009. This is the second village of Vietnam with the recognition. Below is a series of pictures of Phuoc Tich village:  An ancient house in Phuoc Tich village. The ancient fig tree of more than 700-800 years old in the middle of the village. Cay Thi Temple.  The partition and Yoni at the Quang Te Temple - a remnant of the ancient  Cham people left in the village of Phuoc Tich.  In recent years, pottery has been restored in Phuoc Tich.  Phuoc Tich pottery products are being finalized.  The communal house and family temples are still preserved.  The O Lau River surrounds the ancient village.  An old house in the village of Phuoc Tich.    An old house in the village of Phuoc Tich.  A horizontal lacquered board of King Duy Tan (1909-1916) in  the house of Mr. Ho Dinh Lan.  Inside the main house of Mrs. Truong Thi Thu.  Sculptural motifs on the wall.  Sculptural motifs on the embankment and beams.  A guide leads tourists to visit old houses in the village. All houses in the village of Phuoc Tich were built by artisans from  the neighboring carpentry village of My Xuyen. The village’s wharf. Walking around the village, one will see old the elder and kids. Mrs. Luong Thi Hen introduces a special type of door in the  ancient architecture that only her house has. Hen in her old house. Mrs. Thu cleans her house everyday. A closed house.  Mr. Ho Van Te in the house of nearly 150 years old. Compiled by T. Van. Photo: Dantri