Vietnam’s Villages: A Deep Dive into their Hidden Charms

Vietnam is a land of breathtaking landscapes and rich cultural heritage, but it's true soul often lies off the beaten path. Beyond the touristy cities are villages that whisper stories of centuries-old traditions, skilled craftsmanship, and a rhythm of life still untouched by modern haste. If you're looking to explore Vietnam through a more authentic lens, here are seven remarkable villages - and a guide to discovering the best Vietnam villages the country has to offer.

1. Quang Phu Cau Incense Village – The Soulful Scent of Vietnam

In the heart of Hanoi’s outskirts lies Quang Phu Cau, where crimson incense sticks bloom in courtyards like floral mandalas. This village has been crafting incense for generations, supplying temples, homes, and markets across Vietnam. Incense plays a sacred role in Vietnamese culture - from family altars to lunar rituals and Tet celebrations, it is burned to honor ancestors, seek blessings, and ward off bad luck.

Incense is an important part of Vietnamese traditions. Besides daily prayers, incense is essential during festivals, funerals, housewarmings, and even business openings. Different regions prefer different scents, with sandalwood and cinnamon among the most sought-after.

What to do:

As you stroll through the village’s alleys and communal courtyards, you’ll witness the hustle of daily life - villagers drying incense in every open space, from temple yards to rooftops.

The famous Vietnamese incense village has also become a beloved check-in spot for young travelers and photographers alike. The sight of thousands of incense sticks arranged like blooming red-and-gold flowers creates a stunning visual spectacle against the rustic backdrop of northern Vietnam.

When you should visit Quang Phu Cau:

It’s most vibrant during the lead-up to Tet (Lunar New Year), which is usually around January. For the best photos, visit the village during sunny times, since not only is it when the incense is on display, but also provides the best lighting for your photos.

How to get there:
Quang Phu Cau is about 37 km southwest of central Hanoi. There are several ways to reach the village:

• By motorbike or rental car: A popular and flexible option, especially if you want to stop along the way for photos or a local meal. The journey takes about an hour depending on traffic.
• By public bus: Take Bus 91 from Yen Nghia Bus Station in Ha Dong District, Hanoi. The route drops you near the village, followed by a short walk.
• By guided tour: For convenience and added context, consider booking a half-day guided tour such as this one on GetYourGuide, which includes roundtrip transport and photography opportunities with local artisans.

2. Cat Cat Village – Where the Black H’Mong Keep Time in Their Own Way

Located just 2 kilometers from Sapa town, Cat Cat Village is nestled in a valley surrounded by terraced rice fields and forested mountains. Here, the Black H’Mong people maintain their unique lifestyle: traditional indigo dyeing, hemp weaving, and silver forging.

What to do: step-by-step guide for a perfect Cat Cat village tour

1. Start early from Sapa town (only ~2 km away) – either walk or take a short taxi ride to the village gate.
2. Buy entrance tickets: 150,000 VND (adult), 80,000 VND (child).
3. Rent ethnic costumes at the entrance (about 50,000 - 100,000 VND) to fully enjoy the cultural vibe and take great photos.
4. Walk the stone path down into the valley, admire the terraced fields, traditional houses, and H’mong architecture.
5. Explore local crafts: Shop for handwoven textiles, jewelry, and souvenirs made by local artisans (which is specifically H’mong style).
6. Visit cultural sites like traditional H’mong houses, the village performance stage, and local weaving workshops.
7. Check in at top photo spots: Cát Cát waterfall, the Si Bridge, giant water wheels, and wooden swings.
8. Try signature local food: Thắng cố (horse meat stew), thịt trâu gác bếp (smoked buffalo), corn wine, and more.. . You can only find these foods in this North-West region, so don’t miss it!

How to get there: From Hanoi you can either hop on a bus or a train to get to Sapa in 5-7 hours, followed by a short taxi or walk down to the village.

Cat Cat Village offers more than just beautiful Vietnam scenery - it invites you into the everyday rhythm of H’mong life, where traditional crafts, music, and food are not performances but living traditions. As you wander through stone paths, try on handwoven costumes, and watch artisans at work, you’re not just observing culture - you’re becoming a part of it, even if just for a moment.

Villagers in Cat Cat Village weave fabric by hand

3. Phuoc Hai Fishing Village - the 100-year-old embodiment of Southern fishing culture

Phuoc Hai Fishing Village is one of the oldest in Ba Ria – Vung Tau, deeply rooted in the history of Southern Vietnam’s coastal village life. Over the centuries, it has preserved the soul of the sea - where traditional fishing methods are still passed down through generations, and vibrant fishermen's festivals reflect the enduring spirit of a community shaped by the tides.

Phuoc Hai fishing village embankment

Compared to the touristy Vung Tau City, Phuoc Hai is a peaceful coastal village famous for its sunrise seafood markets, ancestral fishing boats, and spiritual rituals. Fishing here isn’t just a livelihood - it’s a way of life governed by the sea and the moon.

Fun fact about Vietnamese fishermen traditions:

• Before launching a boat, fishermen often pray to Nam Hai (the Whale God) for protection. The Whale Festival is an annual event steeped in lore, featuring boat races and offerings.
• Don’t flip your fish! It is believed that flipping your fish when eating is an omen for a stormy sail. Instead, try to take the bones out and eat the meat without flipping it.

What to do: Mostly enjoying the local life in a Vietnamese coastal village

1. Watch sunrise and sunset by the sea (wake up around 4-5 a.m. to see how fishermen prepare for their voyage).
2. Buy fresh or sun-dried seafood specialties (highly recommend half-dried squids - Mực Một Nắng).
3. Take yourself some photos in the midst of colorful boats and village life.
4. Seafood tastes best in villages like these - so it’s a must to try out fresh seafood in Phuoc Hai.

How to get there:

• The quick route: Take the 2-hour bus to Phuoc Hai from Ho Chi Minh City.
• The scenic route: Ride your motorbikes from Ho Chi Minh City via QL51. Phuoc Hai makes a great detour on the way to Vung Tau.

4. Duong Lam Ancient Village – Echoes of the Past

If you’ve ever seen a traditional Vietnamese village in movies or old photographs - with old brick alleys, banyan trees, and tiled-roof houses - Duong Lam Village in Tay Son, Hanoi is exactly that. Often called a living museum, this thousand-year-old village offers a rare glimpse into rural life that has remained beautifully untouched by time.

Located just 50km from Hanoi, Duong Lam’s red laterite brick houses, banyan trees, and village gates speak volumes of Northern Vietnamese history. Once the hometown of two kings, the village today is a living museum.

Beyond its ancient houses and communal halls, the ancient Village is also home to the revered Mia Pagoda - one of the region’s spiritual landmarks. The pagoda houses an impressive collection of 287 statues, including 174 terracotta, 107 wooden, and 6 bronze figures, many covered in gold leaf. While Mong Phu Village is often seen as a museum of traditional Vietnamese village life, Mia Pagoda stands as a living museum of historic Buddhist sculpture.

Mia Pagoda

What to expect: 
Visit the Mong Phu communal house, ancient wells, and pagodas. The slow pace of life - kids cycling along alleys, elders playing chess under tree canopies - brings tranquility and nostalgia.

How to get there: 
Easily reachable via bus or bike from Hanoi in a 44 km trip.

5. Bat Trang Ceramic Village - Pottery, Stories, and Hands-On Fun

Situated on the banks of the Red River, Bat Trang has been firing up clay into art for over 700 years. This Vietnamese village is known for its intricate ceramics that range from functional wares to exquisite art pieces.

What to do: 

1. Try pottery making yourself: Head to Bat Trang pottery market (Chợ Gốm), where there are many local workshops that let you make your own piece.

• Cost: ~40,000–60,000 VND per piece

Bat Trang pottery market

 2. Shop unique ceramics: Wander through alleys filled with family-run pottery shops. Buy handmade teapots, bowls, plates, artistic vases, decorative tiles, jewelry, miniatures, and ceramic paintings.

3. Visit the Vạn Vân ancient house: A private museum featuring over 400 ancient ceramic artifacts, dating from the 15th–19th centuries. A quiet, cultural gem for history lovers.

The Van Van ancient house

4. Visit the Bát Tràng Museum: Its unique design looks like a giant potter’s wheel - great for taking photos. Inside, you’ll see beautiful ceramic pieces from the past to today, and learn more about Vietnam’s long and rich pottery tradition.

The Bát Tràng Museum

5. Explore the communal house (Đình Làng Gốm) located by the Red River, this ancient site is the spiritual and cultural heart of the village. Sometimes they also host traditional festivals!

6. Taste Bát Tràng's local flavors: Try simple, tasty village dishes such as canh măng mực (bamboo shoot & squid soup) – the local specialty.

Bamboo shoot & squid soup

7. Take photos around the beautiful brick-path village

How to get there: It’s only about 16 km from Hanoi so it’s easily reached by car or motorbikes. If you want a more thorough experience at the ceramic village, find a Lang Gom Bat Trang tour, such as those on GetYourGuide.

6. Boat Villages – Floating Lifestyles and River Rhythms

In the North:
Cua Van fishing village, located in Hung Thang commune of Ha Long City, Quang Ninh, is a peaceful and scenic Vietnam’s village nestled within the calm waters of Ha Long Bay. The village is home to over 300 families who live in small, colorful floating houses surrounded by majestic limestone mountains. Life here is simple and deeply connected to the sea, with most locals relying on fishing for their livelihood.

What to do:

• Explore the peaceful, traditional fishing village and admire the rustic floating houses.
• Observe daily life and fishing activities of local fishermen.
• Take a boat ride or canoe tour around the village and nearby waters.
• Enjoy local seafood dishes freshly caught by villagers.
• Visit the Cultural Center to learn about local history and traditions.
• Experience traditional folk singing (chèo) and evening village atmosphere.

Folk singing - a cultural tradition

How to get there:

• By boat in Tuan Chau International Marina: Ideal for large groups; boats can accommodate 30–50 passengers.
• By canoe: Faster than boats, taking about half the time, but at a higher cost.
• By cruise ship: Offers luxury services including dining and sightseeing, with 3- to 5-star options available.

In the South:

Floating fish farms on the river

The floating village of Chau Doc, located along the Bassac River (Hau River), is home to a vibrant community of ethnic Vietnamese and ethnic Cham residents who live and work on the water. Their houses are built on floating platforms, under which cages hold thousands of fish - primarily catfish and tilapia - for commercial farming. The area plays a vital role in the local economy, contributing significantly to the region’s aquaculture industry.

Steps to experience this boat Village:

1. Travel to Chau Doc, An Giang province: From Ho Chi Minh City, take a bus (6-8 hours) or drive (about 6 hours).
2. Reach the village

By boat: Head to Châu Đốc Junction or Châu Giang Wharf to hire a boat to the floating village.

By tour: Join a guided tour that includes transportation to and from the village.

3. Observe the floating fish farms, with underwater cages teeming with catfish and tilapia.
4. Learn from locals about daily life and aquaculture practices.
5. Combine the visit with nearby attractions like Cham villages or Sam Mountain.

7. Coconut Village (Cam Thanh) – Where Palms Meet Peace

A scene of locals rowing basket boats to take tourists on a tour

Nestled near Hoi An, Cam Thanh’s water coconut groves are a green maze of nipa palms. Once a hideout during the war, the village is now a peaceful escape.

Things to do at Bay Mau coconut village

• Hop on a basket boat and drift through the coconut groves.
• Catch a wild basket boat dance show - yes, they spin the boats!
• Watch locals throw fishing nets like pros.
• Learn how to make little souvenirs from coconut leaves (they’ll even teach you).
• Rent a bike and ride through peaceful Cam Thanh village.
• Share a home-cooked meal with locals - think crispy pancakes, banana flower salad, and more.

How to get there

• By boat: Head to Bach Dang Wharf in Hoi An Old Town and cruise down the Thu Bon River.
• By road: Drive from central Hoi An via Tran Nhan Tong Street, cross Cua Dai Bridge, then go 500m.

It’s not flashy or overhyped - just a peaceful, hands-on slice of Hoi An life. Perfect if you want something a little different from the usual Old Town crowds.

Final Thoughts

Vietnam’s villages are more than just quiet escapes; they’re living canvases of heritage, craftsmanship, and collective memory. Whether you're stirring incense powder with artisans, rowing through coconut canals, or listening to a blacksmith hammer beside terraced fields, you’ll discover a side of Vietnam that guidebooks often overlook. It’s in these pockets of culture where the country’s heart beats the loudest. In case you’re visiting Saigon and want a cultural tour about Saigon’s old villages, make sure to check our Before Saigon tour out!

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