Cập nhật: 01-01-1970 12:00:00 | Blogs about Vietnam | Lượt xem: 794
Phuoc Tich Ancient Village is one of the very unique things to do in Vietnam where finding the ancient house village in Vietnam, a pottery village on an island and a truly escape into the archiac time of around 500 years ago. After highlighted things to do in Hue, you might spend a half day exploring this awe-inspiring village by bicycle.
It was a sunny day with pretty hot weather that we traveled to Phuoc Tich – an ancient pottery village of Hue up to 500-year-old. The village is located around 35km from Hue City taking roughly one-hour drive. It’s one of the very few villages in Vietnam sustaining its authenticity and culture.
First of all, it’s about how we reached the Phuoc Tich village. From Hue, we can travel toward north to find the place. However, this village is nearby the border between Hue Province and Quang Tri Province bordering Hue from its northern part. When we were less than 2 miles from the village, we realized that we were in Quang Tri Province’s territory. It’s was slightly panic then we asked the local along with checking the map if what we are searching for is correct. Out of surprise, we were on the right track. It’s interesting that there are a couple of pieces of each province will be intertwined to each other making the border less clear.
Turning on the right from a local market, we carry on driving passing a bridge crossing O Lau River and will find the village not so long then. It’s obvious that most of pottery villages in Vietnam are surrounded or on the bank of a river providing great source of clay and water for the handicraft. Phuoc Tich Village is more charming when it’s embraced mostly by the O Lau still river with very silky surface and some sparse local boat cruising camly by.
Alt anh: O Lau River
Crossing the bridge over O Lau River, we found the village map of Phuoc Tich Village and the surrounding regions which all sound interesting to visit. Then, we found small house at the beginning of the road, on the right side, where a graceful local guide greeted and showed us around. We hopped on a bike and explore around the village and start the exciting exploration. Traverse under luxuriant paved road, we reached one of 26 remained ancient houses and visit the hospitable hosts who are the 4th generation living in the house. They used to be lecturer of all retired now and living together in the heirloom from parents in peaceful and tranquil area. Their previous generations were the rich one in the village that could erected such comity and firm houses made mainly of jackfruit wood. This make locals always say that to be able to construct such house people have to “cumulative the grain in 3 years and cumulative the wood in 5 years”.
Alt anh: Ancient house – Phuoc Tich Village
After sipping a cup of tea and hearing the introduction about the ancient house in Phuoc Tich Village as well are interesting stories on culture and family customs, we bided a farewell and moved on to another house making pottery. The villagers make pottery vases bottles by using molds, and more complicated decorative vases, flowers, animals, etc. by hand. Interestingly, they burn fire over the pottery products to have them dried. Plus, the unique clay in the region making a very unique natural dark red-brown color. Phuoc Tich Pottery Village was very famous when make fine products and dedicated to Imperial family.
In the modern time, most of the traditional handicraft are in danger between the threshold of modernity which is forced to change to apply machine or drawn backward and facing economic remission. This makes the household carrying on this once prosperous job reduced significantly these days.
Alt anh: Cay Thi Shrine – Phuoc Tich Village
In the village, there is a sacred shrine under giant “Cay Thi” over hunderd year-old – a Diospyros decandra species. The modest size temple is sheltered under Cay Thi‘s canopy. The tree’s emtry medulla also sheltered for Vietnamese soldiers during the war time. There are told stories about the children, villager and events in the village related to this tree.
Our stay was pretty short, but we did enjoy this exotic place very much. Our trip was wrapped up in to half day including the drive from Hue City. If you have more time for your journey, it’s highly recommended to spend a full day that you will see further of the village like the islands and fishing life, learn more of pottery handicraft, spend more time in the village. Or else, don’t hesitate to spend a night with the host in a plain but lovely closet right in the house and enjoy sumptuous local cuisine. Additionally, visitors can have a meal with the host, hands-on cooking class or try making potteries in Phuoc Tich’s traditional way.
Alt anh: Phuoc Tich Village
The place and people of Phuoc Tich Village are deeply remembered by any visitors looking for an authentic countryside village of Vietnam and value hundreds year cultural antiques. Feel free to comments or contact us for any further questions if you are planning for an off-the-beaten road of Hue.
