The enchanting beauty of Dong Van Old Quarter

Dong Van Old Quarter, nestled in the heart of the majestic Stone Plateau, is not only an architectural heritage site but also the cultural “heart” of the region - a place where ethnic minority communities gather, share, and preserve their cultural identities. Its beauty is not loud or extravagant, but quiet, ancient, and intriguingly captivating, leaving every visitor in awe.

Visiting the Dong Van Karst Plateau, recognized as one of Asia’s “leading cultural destinations in 2025”, travelers should not miss the Dong Van Old Quarter.

Ancient yin-yang–tiled roofs rest peacefully at the foot of overlapping cat-ear rocky mountains, creating a picturesque, poetic landscape.

Dong Van is transliterated from the Quan Hoa term “Tong Puon,” meaning “a trading valley.”

According to historical records, the Old Quarter area was once a wild valley with a sparse population. By the late 19th and early 20th centuries, when the French occupied the region and aimed to develop it into a bustling commercial hub, the Old Quarter began to take shape.

The architecture of the houses in the Old Quarter shares common features: earthen walls; intricately carved stone or wooden beams and columns; and yin-yang roof tiles - a distinctive roofing style of highland ethnic groups.

It can be said that the architectural style of the Dong Van Old Quarter is unique, characterized by the fusion of traditional indigenous architecture with influences from South China’s Hoa Nam region.

Today, the Dong Van Old Quarter is an appealing destination for travel enthusiasts. The Old Quarter Market has become a place to display and sell traditional products combined with various services.

Amid the Old Quarter’s space, there are still quiet corners where people can find a sense of calm. The sound of wind, falling leaves, and passing footsteps blend together like a gentle melody, inviting visitors to momentarily set aside life’s worries and let their souls unwind.

Specialties in the Dong Van Old Quarter carry the pure essence of the pristine mountains, reflecting the harmony of people and nature in Tuyen Quang.

Visitors should not miss the local dishes such as thang co, buckwheat cake, and men men, etc.

Travelers choose a peaceful corner in Old Quarter Coffee to explore the cultural identity of the highland ethnic groups.

The rustic beauty of H’mong ethnic girls.

Thu Hang – Luu Khiem