A time of chaos
Dam Street is located in Quang Ich village, Xuan Thien commune, Tho Xuan district, Thanh Hoa province. This was once the busiest commercial neighborhood in Thanh Hoa in the early 20th century.
Quang Ich village is located on the banks of the Chu River, with deep river terrain and relaxing beaches, and is a trading point between mountainous districts and the plains. Therefore, people from all over such as Nam Dinh, Ha Nam, Phu Tho, Ha Tinh... and also the French, Thai, and Chinese have migrated to this land to live and trade.
Mr. Pham Van Cuong (95 years old, in Quang Ich village) said that in the past, Xuan Thien commune was famous for two locations: Dam ferry terminal and Dam market (therein people called Dam street). Hundreds of years ago, this place was once very bustling with many items such as textile and dyeing workshops, blacksmithing, gold trading, traditional medicine... At that time, there were many wives of French civil servants (called "ghost- dam" or "madame") who opened stores to trade, built solid houses, and created streets. As the population increased, this place officially established Quang Ich village (also known as Dam street). The word "Dam Street" is also the way to call the word "ma-dam".
"At that time, people came here to trade very richly. They earn so much money and gold that they put it in the avocado ong (orsely stewed) and put it under the bed," Mr. Cuong recalled.
According to the elders, Dam Street was formed in 1838 (early 20th century), developed bustlingly in 1905, and maintained for about 50 years. Dam Market meets 6 times a month. Local people live in the village, going to the market and ferry terminal every day to work for hire for traders. Workers who work as porters also make a very good living.
Over time and the changes of history, Dam street no longer retains its central position as before. Business households are gradually moving to new lands. Local people have taken over the villas to renovate, live and trade until today.
Still in memory
Ms. Cao Thi Duc (85 years old, residing in Quang Ich village) said that she is currently living with her sister-in-law in an ancient house of hundreds of square meters, built more than 100 years ago. Mr. Duc also did not know exactly when this house was built, only remembering that when he returned as a daughter-in-law, he had this house.
"Previously, Dam market was the second largest market in the province, a place to gather goods, a messy warehouse, and a bustling restaurant. Every market session, the noise of people is bustling from early morning until late at night. Over time, war and changes in life, Dam street is no longer the same as before. Now, that bustling image is only in my memory and nostalgia," Mr. Duc recalled.
According to Mr. Duc, for a living, all 9 of his children have to work far away, no one of them stays in their hometown to live. As for Mr. Cuong, although 95 years old, he still lives alone in a dilapidated house, because all 4 of his children have "prayed for the truth" for many years. Despite her old age, Mr. Cuong still keeps cutting her hair to make a living. "In the past, sidewalk haircuts were still golden under the bed, now there are only elderly people who love and love each other and cut their hair to support them, only to earn a little money," Mr. Cuong shared.
According to the representative of Xuan Thien commune's leadership, the rich name Dam street was once famous throughout the region. Later, Dam street was no longer a trading and trading point. From a bustling place, this place has now gradually become a pure agricultural village. The current neighborhood is mainly made up of the elderly and children, while young people and people of working age all work far away.
"Before the 1970s, Dam Street had about 100 ancient houses, but now only 17 houses are still preserved to nearly their original state. On January 7, 2020, Dam Street was recognized by Thanh Hoa province as a provincial-level tourist destination. Currently, the local government is strengthening propaganda work to help people preserve ancient houses, in order to preserve and promote the architectural values of the past Dam street", said a representative of Xuan Thien commune's leadership.
