[Photo] Ancient Uoc Le village

From afar, the gate of Uoc Le village (Tan Uoc commune, Thanh Oai district, Hanoi) is majestic and imposing like a silent witness to history.

The moss-covered ancient bricks and curved tiled roofs are the hallmarks of Northern Vietnamese village architecture. The village gate not only marks the geographical boundary, but is also like a window into time, leading to the peaceful, quiet space of the village that is over 500 years old.

Passing through the old village gate, ancient houses appear with elaborately carved pillars and beams, still retaining their ancient beauty. Small winding alleys, brick walls stained with time..

No noise, no rush, Uoc Le is quiet with a slow pace of life, where time seems to stand still in the small alleys.

Ancient architecture remains on many houses in Uoc Le.

Uoc Le is also known as a village with a long-standing ham making profession, famous in Hanoi. Many families still maintain the traditional profession. The rosy hams and fragrant hams are hand-made from pork, carefully wrapped in banana leaves. The characteristic aroma spreads, becoming a culinary mark in this land.

Along with the beauty of ancient architecture, on the occasion of Tet or village festivals, Uoc Le is bustling with palanquin processions, ceremonies... People wear traditional costumes, join in ancient dances, and have full trays of food as a way to remind them of their ancestors' traditions.

The ancient banyan trees in Uoc Le have stood tall for many years, their roots tightly embracing the ground, their leaves spreading shade to protect the village. Not only are they witnesses of time, they also blend into the cultural flow, nurturing traditional values so that the past and present can breathe together.