Long Khanh Communal House in Hong Ngu district. (Photo: toquoc.vn)Dong Thap (VNA) - Ancient communal houses in the southern provinceof Dong Thap would be included in new tours, according to localauthorities.
There are nearly 1,000 communal houses in the province, four of which have beennamed National Relic Sites: Long Khanh communal house in Hong Ngu district, TanPhu communal house in Chau Thanh district, Phu Huu communal house in Chau Thanhdistrict and Dinh Yen communal house in Lap Vo district.
Nguyen Ngoc Thuong, Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, said most of the communal houses in the southern region imitatedthe architecture of those in the north, which were built in the 16th century.
Communal houses host various community activities and are places for culturalexchanges between ethnic groups. They also serve as culture and education centres for locals, hesaid.
Thuong said the authorities had been looking at developing communal houses inmodern times.
A trial tour will bring tourists to four typical communal houses including VinhPhuoc (Sa Dec city), Dinh Yen (Lap Vo district), Vinh Thoi (Lai Vung district)and the communal house at Thong Binh Intersection (Tan Hong district) besidesexisting destinations in the province.
Thuong said the province also planned to restore some of the houses to restoretraditional customs, ceremonies, antiques and folk arts.
The province has many famous landmarks such as the Nguyen Sinh Sac (father ofPresident Ho) Relic Site, Tram Chim (Bird Sanctuary) tourist area, Xeo Quytrelic area, Gao Giong eco-tourism area, Dong Sen Thap Muoi (Lotus Field)tourist area and Sa Dec flower village.
Tourists can also visit Chua To (Ancestor Pagoda) in Cao Lanh district, Phu My Isletin Thanh Binh district, Dinh Yen mat weaving village in Lao Vo district, Ba Daiboat-building village in Lai Vung District and Long Khanh scarf weaving villagein Hong Ngu district.-VNA
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