On the evening of April 30, the People's Committee of Phong Dien District (Thua Thien Hue Province) organized the countryside market themed “Old Scent of the Ancient Village” 2024 at Phuoc Tich ancient village (Phong Hoa commune).
Visitors experienced making pottery when coming to the market
Visitors to the market can explore the stalls and enjoy culinary dishes, including: traditional Hue cakes, Hue sweet soup, bun thit nuong (grilled pork noodle), bun mam nem (noodle with fermented fish paste), banh canh ca loc (snakehead fish noodle soup), and va tron (mixed fig), etc. They can also visit and buy traditional products from Pho Trach bang grass (Lepironia articulata) traditional craft village such as hats, handbags, and mats.
Under the guidance of local artisans, visitors can learn how to make various royal cakes offered to emperors such as banh bong cay (flower-shaped cakes), and banh phu the (husband-and-wife cakes), as well as other delicacies. They can also get hands-on experience the renowned craft of pottery making with the village's artisans.
The market also serves as a platform for showcasing and introducing the iconic traditional handicrafts of Phong Dien District, including Phong My bamboo shoot paste, Hoa Nen cajeput essential oil, Hoa Nam dried cakes, and My Xuyen wood carving, etc.
In particular, visitors to the market can participate in attractive and interesting traditional folk games such as bit mat dap om (breaking earthen pots blindfolded), bit mat bat vit (catching ducks blindfolded), as well as pouring water into jars, etc. They can also enjoy cultural performances with the villagers of Phuoc Tich village.
To increase the attractiveness and diversity of the market experience for visitors, the visitors can also combine their visit with a sightseeing and "checking-in" tour of Phuoc Tich ancient village, including the Cay Thi temple, the pottery kiln area, the wharfs, and Champa cultural relics, etc.
To introduce a more than 500-year-old village along the bank of the peaceful O Lau River, the Organizing Committee organized a display of artworks on lotus flowers, scenic spots, and famous relics of Phong Dien District and Phuoc Tich ancient village by the author and photographer Nguyen Khoa Huy, with the aim to introduce the beauty and cultural values of the land of Phong Dien.
The “Old Scent of the Ancient Village” market was held to create an attractive destination for visitors and locals during the holiday of April 30 and May 1; thereby, promoting the image and boosting the development of Phuoc Tich ancient village’s tourism.
By Duc Quang