Old village gates, traditional houses with moss-covered tile roofs intermingled with French-style villas, and golden strands of vermicelli create a unique vision for Cu Da village.

On the banks of the Nhue River in Hanoi’s Binh Minh commune, 400-year-old Cu Da village was once a flourishing trading hub thanks to riverway.

The traces of time are imprinted on Cu Da’s old tile roofs, wooden doors, brick courtyards and traditional three- or five-compartment houses. In Cu Da, Vietnamese architecture is mixed with French-influenced buildings, creating a graceful blend of east and west.

The craft of making vermicelli adds colors to the old village with long strands of noodles spread out in the sun against a backdrop of weathered walls and mossy red tile roofs. Cu Da is also known for its glutinous rice sauce, a traditional craft that the village is trying to preserve and restore.

As urbanization advances, Cu Da is taking on a new look. New homes stand next to timeworn buildings as the hum of machinery blends with the peaceful rhythms of daily routines, showing off the charm of a riverside village where past and present beautifully meet.