Tho Ha ancient village on Cau River
(VOVWORLD) -Tho Ha (Van Ha commune, Viet Yen district, Bac Giang province) is an ancient village on the north bank of the Cau River which, through the vicissitudes of history, has managed to maintain a distinct identity.
 Tho Ha, 45 kilometers from downtown Hanoi, is one of the few villages in Vietnam that can only be reached by ferry. Photo: Van Chuong/VTCnews
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 Its village gate is one of the most magnificent in the Cau River basin. Photo: CTV Dieu Uy/VOV.VN
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 Tho Ha used to be a bustling port serving the village’s excellent potters. A major ceramic production center since the 12th century, Tho Ha transformed into a rice cake-producing village in the 1990s. Photo: vietyen.bacgiang.gov.vn
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 Traces of the old pottery village still abound. Walls contain pieces of ceramics, vases, and earthenware urns. Photo: Van Chuong/VTCnews
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 In the small alleys, villagers dry their rice paper on slanted or vertical racks. Photo: Hong Phuc/qdnd.vn
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 Tho Ha mainly produces two types of rice paper: grilled rice paper and spring roll rice paper. Tho Ha rice paper is famous for its delicious taste thanks to carefully selected ingredients and skillful seasoning. Tho Ha people have a special recipe, so their rice paper has a unique delicious taste, completely different from regular ones. Photo: Hong Phuc/qdnd.vn
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 Tho Ha rice paper are distinguished by the slightly oily taste of peanut, sesame, coconut and sweet potato, a crispy texture, and the fragrance of high-quality rice. Photo: Hong Phuc/qdnd.vn
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 The Tho Ha Communal House was built in 1692, during the reign of King Le Hy Tong. Historians have called it “a flower of Vietnamese sculpture and engraving art”. Photo: Van Chuong/VTCnews
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 The gate of Tho Ha Communal House, a kind of gilded wooden curtain above the main altar of the Tho Ha communal house, is a masterpiece. Made between 1685 and 1692, it measures 4.9m high and 4.3m wide. Photo: Van Giang/VOV.VN
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 These dragons are considered the pinnacle of woodblock printing. Photo: Van Giang/VOV.VN
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 The complexity of the details and the perfect symmetry of the decorative patterns are a testament to the exceptional craftsmanship of local artisans. Photo: Van Giang/VOV.VN
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 In December 2020, this “wooden curtain” was recognized by the Prime Minister as a national treasure. Photo: Van Giang/VOV.VN
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 Tho Ha communal house hosts two annual festivals, one on the 15th day of the 1st lunar month, and the other on the 20th day of the 8th lunar month. Photo: Van Giang/VOV.VN
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