Bich La – A 500-Year-Old Ancient Village in Central Vietnam

The ancient village of Bich La was established in 1527 (16th century), under the reign of King Le Chieu Tong. According to the village's divine genealogy and historical records preserved by the village, it was reclaimed by Vice General Le Mau Doan (or Le Mau Tai) – a high-ranking official under the Le Dynasty. He along with 14 families of subordinate generals migrated south from Hoan Chau (Nge An, present-day Ha Tinh), choosing the Ha Duong area south of the Thach Han River to settle. Originally, the village was named Hoa An Commune. During the Tay Son era, it was renamed Hoa La, and under the Nguyen Dynasty (during the reign of King Thieu Tri), it was officially named Bich La, divided into four cantons: Dong, Tay, Nam, Hau (now belonging to the hamlets of Bich La Dong, Bich La Trung, Bich La Nam, and Nai Cuu, Trieu Dong Commune, Trieu Phong District, Quang Tri Province).

The village enjoys a favorable feng shui location: the Thach Han River to the north, winding canals like dragons, and surrounding mountains – believed by villagers to be a “dragon vein” bringing prosperity. Bich La existed about 30 years before Lord Nguyen Hoang entered Dang Trong (1558), demonstrating its important role in the southern expansion process.

Bich La is known as “a cradle of mandarins and scholars”. This place has produced many outstanding talents, from doctors and assistant doctors under the Nguyen Dynasty such as Le Canh Dieu, Le Canh Phien, Le Thuy, to modern prominent figures such as the late General Secretary Le Duan – an outstanding son of Quang Tri province. The famous painter Le Ba Dang is also a pride of the village, with works of international stature. It is this tradition of studiousness and indomitable spirit that created the reputation of this land.

Bich La village's architecture deeply reflects the characteristics of North Central Vietnamese villages with ancient houses, tiled roofs, and mossy walls. The most prominent highlight is the communal house and shrine complex:

• Bich La Communal House: A place for gathering, worshiping, and holding festivals. In front of the communal house is a sacred lake where legend has it that the Golden Turtle deity (divine turtle) manifested.
• Shrine Area: Includes over 10 small shrines dedicated to mountain and river deities, the Village Guardian Deity, the God of Agriculture, the God of Thunder, and especially the shrine dedicated to the Reclaiming Founding Deity Le Mau Doan (Doan Loc Hau) along with the village's first two doctorate holders (Le Canh Dieu and Le Canh Phien).

The entrance gate of the shrine is engraved with a famous couplet: “Địa chung linh khí truyền thiên cổ / Thế xuất anh tài diễn ức niên” (Sacred atmosphere of the land endures for millennia / Generations of heroic talents emerge for ages).

These relics are not only historical witnesses but also places storing royal decrees and divine genealogies from the Nguyen Dynasty. The architecture carries traditional Vietnamese style, harmoniously combining folk beliefs and Confucianism.

Bich La culture is rich in Central Vietnamese village tradition: studious, filial, patriotic, and preserving customs. The village is famous for its scholarly tradition through dynasties and modern times.

Bich La Dinh Market Festival is the most unique feature, organized only once a year on the night of the 2nd to the morning of the 3rd day of the Lunar New Year.

• Ritual part: Elders offer incense and perform sacrifices to express gratitude to heaven, earth, and ancestors, calling upon the Golden Turtle deity to pray for favorable weather and bountiful harvests.
• Festive & market part: The midnight market is bustling with local produce. People buy and sell without bargaining, carrying the meaning of wishing for good luck at the beginning of the year. Visitors join folk games, request calligraphy, listen to poetry, and enjoy local cuisine.

The festival is not only an occasion for reunion but also a “living heritage” showcasing the cultural identity of Vietnamese villages. In addition, the customs of grave clearing and ancestral worship of clans (especially the Le clan) are also strictly maintained, showing gratitude to roots.

Traveling to Bich La not only helps you relax but also provides deep knowledge of Central Vietnam's history, especially if you are interested in Vietnamese village culture. Take time to stroll along narrow village paths, where the rustling sound of leaves blends with the fragrance of ripe rice. Ancient houses with intricately carved wooden gates and mossy walls will bring you back to childhood memories, where everything is simple yet deeply Vietnamese. 

Participating in the Dinh Market festival or folk activities such as asking for calligraphy at the beginning of the year, listening to ba trao singing, or enjoying responsive singing chants will give you a sense of closeness, as if becoming a part of the Bich La community. If you are lucky enough to arrive during Tet, you will witness the ritual calling of the Golden Turtle deity – a unique spiritual experience to pray for favorable weather and abundant crops.

Bich La is not only an ancient village but also a place for you to return to your roots, feeling the breath of Vietnamese history and culture. Under the shade of village bamboo, beside the quiet river, you will find your heart light as a flying kite, regaining peace amid the rush of life. This is also an opportunity for you to feel even prouder of and grateful for the enduring values of the nation.

To reach Bich La ancient village, you can depart from the nearest points as follows:

• Location: Trieu Dong Commune, Trieu Phong District, Quang Tri Province. About 10-15 km from Quang Tri Ancient Citadel, near Ai Tu Town.

How to get there:

• From Hue: About 70-80 km, follow National Route 1A heading north, turn into Ai Tu.
• From Da Nang: About 120 km along QL1A.
• From Dong Ha (Quang Tri): About 20-25 km.
• Means of transport: Motorbike, personal car, taxi, or motorbike taxi from Ai Tu. The road into the village is convenient, passing over bridges and through rice fields.

In the first days of the new year, the Bich La festival resounds with festival drums, and people return to offer incense, pray for fortune and love, making the countryside relive its sacred atmosphere of hundreds of years past. Ancient communal roofs, village wells, rural markets... still retain the exact shape of an old, proud Vietnam.

The village of Bich La is not only a land associated with the long history of Quang Tri, but also a living testament to the enduring vitality of Vietnamese village culture. Amid the rapid urban development, this place still retains its rustic charm, community lifestyle, and enduring spirit of solidarity across generations. A visit to Bich La is not just for sightseeing or learning about historical relics, but also to feel the peace, closeness, and value of traditions preserved by local people every day. If you love cultural exploration journeys, Bich La is definitely a stop worth experiencing on your trip to Central Vietnam.