Cu Da village is a museum which preserves the ancient architectural features of a craft village on the outskirts of Hanoi.
According to Vu Van Than, an 87-year-old elder of the village, genealogies and historical documents show that Cu Da village in Cu Khe commune, Thanh Oai district was founded four centuries ago by royal relatives of a Trinh Lord. Then owners of large textile factories, shops, and transportation in Hanoi in the 1920s through the -1940s period brought civilization to the village.
The villagers have always been proud of their home. They used the village’s name as their surname when they lived and worked in Hanoi. “Some of the bourgeois in Hanoi at that time whose names began with the word “Cu” gave the name to Cu Da villagers,” Than said.
The villagers have always been proud of their home. They used the village’s name as their surname when they lived and worked in Hanoi. “Some of the bourgeois in Hanoi at that time whose names began with the word “Cu” gave the name to Cu Da villagers,” Than said.
 The village is a unique crafty destination in Hanoi. Photo: Khanh Long / VNP   A house built in the French architectural style in Cu Da village. Photo: Cong Dat / VNP  Old walls inside Cu Da village. Photo: Khanh Long / VNP   Through many changes in history, Cu Da ancient village still retains its original features. Photo: Khanh Long / VNP  There are several ancient gates in Cu Da village. Photo: Khanh Long / VNP  Imprint of a busy wharf on Nhue river in the past, inside Cu Da village. Photo: Khanh Long / VNP  Delicate patterns show the skillful hands of artisans in the past. Photo: Khanh Long / VNP  One of the ancient gates in the village. Photo: Photo: Cong Dat / VNP  Mossy walls in Cu Da village. Photo: Cong Dat / VNP  Northern delta houses built from wood and red-tile. Photo: Khanh Long / VNP   The village still remains 51 ancient houses dated back 200 years ago. Photo: Khanh Long / VNP  The village is also famous for its traditional craft of making vermicelli. Photo: Khanh Long / VNP |
Along the road from the village’s gate, visitors can see a system of houses with roads and alleys in the shape of fish bones. Some alleys still have gates and slanted bricks on the roadway. Elder villagers said that in the past all the gates in the alleys were locked at 9pm and guards took turns on duty for security purposes.
Teacher Trinh Co, one of descendants of the Cu Da village’s founder said that Cu Da was considered a land of geniuses. Many villagers studied well and became successful. This studious tradition of Cu Da villagers still is valued in every family of the ancient village.
Besides the unique architecture, Cu Da village is also well-known nationwide for making soy sauce and vermicelli
By Khanh Long, Cong Dat & Phong Thu Translated by Nguyen Tuoi
