Built in 1470 under the reign of King Le Thanh Tong, the village was recognized as a national relic by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism in 2009. Being associated with Hue’s royal music (nha nhac), the ancient village of Phuoc Tich has been recognized as part of the world’s intangible cultural heritage by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Phuoc Tich Ancient Village is famous for the ancient architecture and design of its many old houses and temples.
More than 500 years of existence, through the wars and the devastation of nature, Phuoc Tich village still preserves the ancient beauty of a traditional Vietnamese village.
The village’s first name is “Phuc Giang”, expressing the desire a land near river with happiness and wealth. Under Tay Son era, “Phuc Giang” was changed into “Hoang Giang” to commemorate the family setting up the village. In the reign of Gia Long King, the village was renamed to Phuoc Tich, hoping to accumulate happiness and virtue.
One of special stop to visit at Phuoc Tich may be Cay Thi Temple, which is about 700 years old. The temple preserves harmonizing features of Vietnamese and Cham architecture, with linga and yoni ruins.
Being well-known nationwide for the craft of making pottery, the beauty of Phuoc Tich pottery products is solid, sleek and sophisticated.
The goods have a dark red colour of baked clay, which have been used mainly by Hue families. Some pottery wares of Phuoc Tich Village were used by kings in the Nguyen Dynasty.Between 1989 and 1995, the pottery craft of Phuoc Tich seemed to come to a standstill.
The ancient “ruong” houses, where preserve and display antiquities of Phuoc Tich create the unique Phuoc Tich.
Another unique trait of Phuoc Tich is the structure of “community house”. The houses were built with a typical architectural style of three compartments and two lean-tos, an ancient gate, two rows of green tea bushes and a brick-covered courtyard, most of which remain undamaged despite having gone through so many wars throughout the years.
