Many people have visited Da Nang, but not everyone knows that there is an ancient village in Da Nang – Phong Nam Ancient Village. With its peaceful, rustic, and pristine ambiance, it promises to offer travelers a familiar and intimate experience. Join Danang Private Car’s to explore the details of this ancient village in the heart of Da Nang in the article below!
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Where is Phong Nam Ancient Village?
Phong Nam is an ancient village formed from the merging of four hamlets: Nam Thanh, Dong Hoa, Tay An, and Bau Cau, located in Hoa Chau commune, Hoa Vang district, Da Nang city.
This village is situated approximately 10 km to the southwest of the city center of Da Nang. It is right along National Highway 1A, making Phong Nam Ancient Village an easily accessible stop to include in your Da Nang travel itinerary.
Learn about Phong Nam Ancient Village.
In the past, Phong Nam was a part of Phong Le Village – a large village dating back over 100 years since the Champa era. The Red River, formerly just a stream, was shallow enough for adults to wade through during the dry season.
It wasn’t until later that people began referring to the land south of the river as Phong Le Nam, gradually changing to Phong Nam Village in Hoa Chau commune.
Phong Nam Village has changed names several times over the years, with some previous names including Phong Le and Da Ly. Phong Le is the homeland of General Ich Khiem, a renowned military leader during the Nguyen dynasty. Over the course of more than a century of history, Phong Nam Village has retained its rustic, simple beauty and the long-standing cultural and historical values.
Here, visitors can explore and admire the village’s beautiful scenery, including its communal houses, village temples, ancestral family churches, and old temples, all of which provide fascinating experiences and insights.
If you’re looking for a fast, safe, cost-effective, and punctual airport transfer service from Da Nang to Hoi An, you can book our Danang Airport to Hoi An private car service.
The best time to visit Phong Nam Ancient Village.
As a cultural and tourist destination located in the heart of Da Nang, it’s advisable to keep an eye on the city’s weather conditions before planning a visit to Phong Nam Village.
According to the experience of Da Nang travel, the ideal time to visit is during the dry season, from March to September every year. During this time, there is abundant sunshine, clear blue skies, and excellent conditions for sightseeing. However, it’s worth noting that summer evenings in the coastal provinces of Central Vietnam often feature thunderstorms, so be sure to check the weather forecast before embarking on your journey to have a complete and safe trip.
The best times to explore Phong Nam Ancient Village are between 7-10 in the morning and 3-6 in the afternoon. During these hours, the weather is most pleasant and cool, and the lighting is perfect for photography and creating beautiful memories.
How to get to Phong Nam Ancient Village.
To reach Da Nang and visit Phong Nam Village, you can choose from various transportation options, depending on your preferences and conditions. The most commonly selected means of transportation are by plane, car, train, or motorbike. Here are the specific ways to get there:
- By car: If you want to have a flexible schedule and save costs when traveling with a group, you can drive to Da Nang by car. Traveling by car also takes a relatively short amount of time, and you’ll have the freedom to move around and explore different tourist destinations within the city.
- By motorbike: If you are a young and adventurous traveler with time and stamina, and you enjoy the freedom of exploring the surroundings, traveling by motorbike is a fun option. Before embarking on your motorcycle journey, make sure to thoroughly check and maintain your bike. You should also have good physical health, strong driving skills, and prepare your motorcycle repair tools, spare tires, and suitable clothing for a long trip.
Additionally, if you prefer a quick, safe, and convenient means of transportation, you can book a private car with a driver in Da Nang through DanangPrivateCar.com. They have a professional team of experienced drivers who will make your trip as easy as possible.
What to Explore in Phong Nam Ancient Village?
Phong Nam Ancient Village promises to offer you many fascinating experiences that are unique compared to the modern, bustling destinations in Da Nang. Take some time to visit this ancient village to enrich your journey in Da Nang.
Immerse Yourself in the Tranquil Rural Setting and Explore Ancient Architecture
Strolling through the ancient village, visitors can sense the fresh, serene atmosphere, which is entirely different from the modern and busy urban life in Da Nang. You will feel as if you have stepped into a completely different place away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
With lush green trees blending into the ancient surroundings, moss-covered structures like communal houses, temples, ancestral family churches, and village temples give off a nostalgic orange hue. Visitors will feel at home as if returning to their own homeland.
Notably, the village is home to the Dong Hoa water wharf of the clam farming community. Here, you can witness the traditional clam farming, which has been passed down for generations. Nearby is a small temple beside a thousand-year-old banyan tree, next to the Tây An riverbank in the Đùng village.
Discover the Daily Life of Phong Nam Village Residents
Despite the development of tourism, the way of life in Phong Nam Village has remained relatively unchanged. Life in this peaceful countryside flows gently and gracefully. Stepping into this village, you will immediately feel the fresh and tranquil atmosphere.
If you want to escape the hustle and bustle of the city and find inner peace, Phong Nam Village is the ideal place for you.
Many exciting experiences are waiting for you at the ancient village.
In the village, you can sit down with a cup of hot tea and listen to the elderly villagers share stories about General Ông Ích Khiêm, the visits of poet Cao Bá Quát, and the couplet presented by Phan Bội Châu. These stories will leave a lasting impression on visitors.
Capture Mesmerizing Photos in the Idyllic Village Atmosphere
To preserve beautiful memories from your visit to this ancient village in the heart of Da Nang, don’t forget to take some quality “selfie” photos with numerous rustic backgrounds.
The tranquil village paths, banyan trees, water wharf, communal grounds, and the centuries-old houses will all become perfect spots for taking ideal photos.
Participate in Traditional Festivals
During the two annual harvests, Phong Nam Village regularly holds unique traditional festivals. The most prominent one is the Muc Dong Festival, which features a variety of captivating community games.
If you can arrange your schedule, consider visiting the village during the fourth lunar month of each year. This is when the Muc Dong Festival is held to convey the farmers’ wishes for a bountiful and harmonious crop season.
What to Eat When Visiting Phong Nam Ancient Village?
During your journey to visit the ancient village in the heart of Da Nang, you will have the opportunity to savor many famous local dishes. Below is a list of the “must-try” dishes recommended by Danang Private Car’s.
Da Nang’s Quang Noodle (My Quang)
Quang Noodle is a dish that has made the reputation of the Quang region, including Da Nang. This is a popular dish enjoyed by locals for all three meals of the day.
A bowl of Quang Noodle primarily consists of rice noodles made from rice flour, a delicious and aromatic broth made from simmering bones, and various toppings like shrimp, meat, eggs, chicken, duck, or snakehead fish, making it incredibly diverse. Quang Noodle is served with condiments like chili sauce, peanuts, rice crackers, and fresh herbs to enhance the flavor.
Pork Rolls in Rice Paper
Pork rolls in rice paper from Da Nang are a typical dish representing the cuisine of Da Nang, combining various ingredients and flavors. Despite being simple, it is highly attractive to tourists.
This dish includes common and easily found ingredients such as rice cakes, rice paper, pork, fresh herbs, and spicy fish sauce. However, these simple ingredients come together to create an appealing taste.
Vietnamese Sizzling Pancakes and Grilled Skewers
One famous specialty of Da Nang that DanangPrivateCar.com’s suggests for your trip to Phong Nam Ancient Village is Vietnamese sizzling pancakes (Banh xeo) and grilled skewers (Nem lui). Bánh xèo is made from rice flour and stuffed with pork, shrimp, beef, mung bean sprouts, and scallions. When the pancake is cooked, it has a crispy and golden shell, blending with the fragrant filling.
Diners enjoy it with fresh herbs, cucumber, and rice paper, along with sweet and sour dipping sauce, offering a delightful culinary experience. Bánh xèo and Nem lụi are two dishes often paired together and are a must-try in Da Nang.
Nam O Raw Fish Salad
Nam O Raw Fish Salad is named after the birthplace of this dish, which is Nam O Village, located in Haa Hiep Ward, Lien Chieu District, Da Nang. When visiting Da Nang, don’t miss the opportunity to enjoy this unique delicacy.
Nam O Raw Fish Salad consists of both wet and dried fish salad. It is made using fresh mackerel caught by the fishermen of Nam O Village. This ensures the salad maintains its sweet, fatty, and fresh flavor.
What makes Nam O Raw Fish Salad appealing is the fresh, thinly sliced fish combined with special ingredients and seasonings such as garlic, ginger, chili, lime, tomatoes, salt, peanuts, sesame seeds, broth, and various herbs including green mango, green bananas, mint, and basil.
Buying Local Specialties as Gifts When Visiting Phong Nam Ancient Village, Da Nang
Various Dried Seafood
After every trip, many travel enthusiasts undoubtedly come back with suitcases filled with souvenirs and local products from the region they visited.
When visiting a coastal city like Da Nang, one of the most popular gifts to buy is dried seafood, including dried squid, dried cuttlefish, sun-dried skipjack tuna, and preserved shredded squid with tamarind.
The fresh squid, still wriggling, caught off the coast of Da Nang, is cleaned and sun-dried under the scorching sun of summer. Skipjack tuna is dried once to maintain its freshness and tender texture when eaten.
Another renowned specialty of Da Nang that travelers often choose as gifts is preserved shredded squid with tamarind. Additionally, sun-dried skipjack tuna is also favored by many tourists.
Local Cakes and Sweets
Some traditional cakes and sweets are produced locally and are popular among travelers as souvenirs. Examples include sesame crackers, rice crackers, grilled coconut rice cakes, and peanut candy. These sweets offer unique flavors, are reasonably priced, and can be easily found in local markets and specialty shops.
Souvenir Items Made of Feng Shui Stones
Gifts made from feng shui stones are both unique and meaningful, making them a suitable choice to present to friends or colleagues upon returning from your trip to Da Nang. You can visit stone craft villages around the Marble Mountains (Ngu Hanh Son) area, where you’ll find a variety of finely carved statues, decorations, and jewelry available in different colors.
Hand-Embroidered Products
Exquisitely hand-embroidered items like lace, woven bags, traditional clothing, handicrafts, indigenous accessories, and embroidered art pieces are charming and practical souvenir choices. You can consider purchasing these charming mementos during your visit.
Suggestions for some other attractive tourist destinations in Da Nang
Typically, visitors come to experience Phong Nam Ancient Village for just half a day. Therefore, it’s recommended to combine your itinerary with several other places to have a more enjoyable trip. Below are some places suggested by DanangPrivateCar.com:
- My Khe Beach: If you’re looking for some beach relaxation, My Khe Beach in Da Nang is a beautiful stretch of white sand and clear waters. It’s perfect for sunbathing and swimming.
- Son Tra Peninsula: Known as the Monkey Mountain, this area is famous for its lush green hills, wildlife, and the Linh Ung Pagoda. You can enjoy panoramic views of the city from the mountain.
- Marble Mountains: These five limestone hills, named after the five elements, are dotted with caves, pagodas, and tunnels. They offer a unique blend of religion, history, and nature.
- Dragon Bridge: If you happen to visit on a weekend night, the Dragon Bridge in Da Nang is a must-see. It breathes fire and water during its weekly shows, creating a stunning spectacle.
- Da Nang Cathedral: Also known as the Rooster Church, this pink church is a beautiful example of French architecture and an iconic landmark in the city.
- Museum of Cham Sculpture: If you’re interested in history and art, this museum houses the world’s largest collection of Cham sculptures, providing insights into this ancient civilization.
Tips for Visiting Phong Nam Ancient Village
- As a traditional craft village located in the central region of Vietnam, it’s advisable to explore Phong Nam Village between the hours of 10 AM and 4 PM to avoid the intense and scorching summer sun. This is also the time when sunlight is most ideal for capturing great ‘Instagram-worthy’ photos.
- Dressing tips when visiting the ancient village that ladies may consider are modernized or traditional ao dai (Vietnamese traditional dress) or classic, simple ao ba ba outfits, which are both elegant and sophisticated.
- When traveling to outdoor locations, make sure to bring sun-protective clothing and apply sunscreen to protect your skin.
- While enjoying your time at Phong Nam Ancient Village, please remember to preserve the clean environment and avoid littering.
- When entering temples, pagodas, and ancestral halls in the village, make sure to dress modestly, conservatively, and respectfully. Follow the general rules and regulations of these sacred spaces.
With its vintage and rustic ambiance, Phong Nam Ancient Village is an unmissable destination on your trip to Da Nang. Here, you’ll find a touch of historical nostalgia and moments of rare tranquility. DanangPrivateCar.com hopes that the information shared in this article will make your visit to the ancient village more convenient and enjoyable.
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