From old laterite houses, banyan trees, wharves, communal house yards to bricks, tiled roofs, village roads, all bring visitors to a peaceful space of Duong Lam ancient village.
Not only evoking a feeling of returning to the past, this place also has creative spaces formed from the indigenous values themselves. Heritage is not only for sightseeing but also becomes a material for visitors to touch, experience and create for themselves.
That is a new approach, when tourists can personally touch the heritage, interact with the heritage and discover cultural values through their own experiences.
The ancient, peaceful space and creative activities are creating another way to explore Duong Lam, especially for tourists who want to find a different experience from a normal sightseeing trip.
Leaving the city and returning to the ancient village, Mr. Hoang Van Trieu (30 years old, Ninh Binh) could not miss the opportunity to visit Duong Lam.
I came to visit with relatives, many times I mentioned Duong Lam ancient village but never stopped by. This time I must come to see, admire, and see how different it is on the internet and in real life," Mr. Trieu said with a smile.
After more than 1 hour of driving from the city center, Mr. Trieu was able to set foot in the certain destination he had to go.
I am completely surprised because in Hanoi there is still an ancient village like this. Perhaps before I only watched it in movies, now I can see it outside, beyond imagination. My family took me to a modern but also very local place called Doai Creative," Mr. Trieu shared.
From familiar materials such as Do paper, Giang paper, old tiles or bamboo, Mr. Trieu saw his childhood in it.
Tiled roofs, earthen walls, all materials are close. I both look at them and save for myself souvenir photos. I also experience more activities at Doai Creative. What I like is that materials that seem very familiar are put into a new space, making me want to learn more carefully," Mr. Trieu shared.
For many people, this is a difference that makes the Duong Lam trip not just a simple sightseeing session.
Instead of just hearing about heritage, visitors can do it themselves, try it themselves and feel it with many senses. A hand-carved piece of paper, a self-finished handicraft, or motifs inspired by indigenous culture can all become memories to take home after the trip.
The space at Doai Creative also creates an interesting transition between the old and the new. Walls with traces of time, old tiled roofs, natural materials are placed next to modern arrangements, creating a space that is both breathy of the countryside and suitable for young people's experiences.
Mr. Trieu said that what impressed him was not only the ancient beauty of Duong Lam but also the way familiar values are recounted in a new language.
Before, when I thought about ancient villages, I mainly went sightseeing, saw ancient houses, and took photos. But coming here, I feel like I interacted more. There are things that look very ordinary but when placed in a creative space, I find them interesting," he said.
Also thanks to these experiences, the trip of many tourists is no longer limited to "check-in" a place. Each small corner, each material, each activity opens up a story about life, handicrafts and indigenous culture.
