Duong Lam is an old village near the town of Son Tay, about 45–50 km west of central Hanoi. It is known for its houses, walls and lanes built from reddish-brown laterite stone, some of the houses several centuries old, and for its communal house (dinh) and village gate.
People still live and work in the old houses, and some open their homes to visitors for tea or local snacks. The atmosphere is quiet and rural — a contrast to the city. A small entrance fee is charged at the village.
What to see and do: Duong Lam Ancient Village
Walk the laterite lanes
Wander the narrow lanes and peek into courtyards — ask before entering private houses.
Mong Phu communal house
The village’s traditional communal house, at the centre of village life.
Local snacks
Try local sweets such as che lam and keo dong.
How to get to Duong Lam Ancient Village
- On a tour: small-group village tours run from Hanoi.
- By car: roughly 1–1.5 hours each way.
Insider tips
- Respect residents’ privacy — this is a living village.
- Combine with Son Tay citadel or the Mia pagoda nearby.
Best tours & tickets for Duong Lam Ancient Village
These GetYourGuide experiences include Duong Lam Ancient Village or pair well with it:
Village tour from €12 Hanoi: Incense Village, Hat or Duong Lam Village Small Group
A small-group village trip with the option of Duong Lam, the ancient laterite village west of Hanoi, or the incense and conical-hat villages.
- Small group
- Duong Lam ancient village option
- Incense and hat villages
Craft village tour from €14 Hanoi: Incense Village, Hat, and Lacquer Artisanal Tour
A trip to craft villages outside Hanoi: the photogenic incense village, conical hat makers and a lacquer workshop. Very popular and inexpensive.
- Incense-making village
- Conical hat makers
- Lacquer art
Day trip from €48 From Hanoi: Full-Day Perfume Pagoda Group Tour with Lunch
A full-day group trip to the Perfume Pagoda: a rowing boat up the Yen stream, then on foot or by cable car to the cave pagoda of Huong Tich.
- Rowing boat along the Yen stream
- Pagodas and Huong Tich cave
- Lunch included
