Unlocking Thanh Liet’s potential on the Hanoi’s tourism map
Steeped in heritage but long overlooked, Thanh Liet Ward is entering a new era of discovery, ready to rise as Hanoi’s next unmissable cultural destination.
THE HANOI TIMES — In the courtyard of the ancient communal house, young boys don delicate makeup, headscarves, and brightly colored dresses, transforming into graceful performers.
They beat small drums suspended before their chests, moving in perfect harmony with the lively rhythm. This centuries-old art, known as “Con di danh bong” or “girls playing drums,” is masterfully performed by the youth of Trieu Khuc Village, Thanh Liet Ward.
The "Con di danh bong" dance is dating back for hundreds of years in Trieu Khuc Village, Thanh Liet Ward. Photo: Le Nam/ The Hanoi Times
Beyond this celebrated dance, the ward is home to historic treasures such as Long Quang Pagoda, Quang An Pagoda, and numerous other relics. Yet, despite its rich cultural tapestry, Thanh Liet remains a hidden gem, quietly waiting to unfold its full potential as a destination that embodies Hanoi’s living heritage.
A recent tourism linkage conference marked a key milestone, opening up new possibilities for the ward in Hanoi’s southern gateway to emerge as a vibrant and appealing stop on the capital’s tourism map.
A tapestry of rich heritage
On the morning of December 9, over 200 delegates embarked on a field survey across Thanh Liet. This visit preceded the conference themed “Improving Service Quality and Linking Tourist Destinations of Thanh Liet Ward with Hanoi Travel Businesses in 2025”, jointly organized by the Hanoi Department of Tourism and Thanh Liet Ward.
Originally a simple folk entertainment, the “girls playing drums” dance has evolved into a significant ceremonial performance, traditionally showcased during folk celebrations in northern Vietnam. Photo: Le Nam/ The Hanoi Times
According to Tran Trung Hieu, Deputy Director of the Hanoi Department of Tourism, Thanh Liet holds a dense concentration of heritage sites representative of the Thang Long cultural space.
"From ancient communal houses to folk art forms and vibrant festivals, the ward possesses unique resources capable of forming new cultural and experiential tourism products aligned with the city’s strategic goals," said Hieu.
He said that the Trieu Khuc Village Festival and the iconic hand drum dance could grow into signature experiences. The involvement of travel businesses, he added, is essential for designing effective tour routes and bringing these offerings to the market as early as this year or next.
From a local perspective, Vice Chairman Nguyen Anh Tuan painted a vivid portrait of Thanh Liet Ward- a community of 92,000 residents nestled within 6.44 squared kilometers. Positioned between the inner city and the suburbs, Thanh Liet holds key transport routes and numerous relics linked to three major historical figures: Chu Van An, Pham Tu and Buddhist monk Thich Thanh Hanh (1840- 1936).
The conference served as a platform to link Thanh Liet Ward’s tourist attractions with Hanoi travel businesses, setting the direction for tourism development in the years ahead. Photo: Le Nam/ The Hanoi Times
He highlighted three main tourism directions for the localitty, including cultural-spiritual tourism; educational tourism centered on traditional learning; and craft village tourism featuring local specialties such as Trieu Khuc silk weaving, fringe making, rice flan, and crispy pork lard. These distinctive experiences can help Thanh Liet shine as an authentic cultural corner of Hanoi.
Building a distinct tourism brand
Despite its many strengths, Thanh Liet still faces challenges- from uneven infrastructure and limited parking to a shortage of immersive experiences and trained tourism staff. The ward, however, is taking bold steps to transform these assets into attractions.
Plans include beautifying heritage sites, upgrading lighting, installing informative panels, and creating engaging experiences such as a gallery of Trang nguyen costumes- the prestigious title once awarded to first-class valedictorians in Vietnam’s feudal-era national exams- and a hands-on Han-Nom calligraphy space where visitors can try their hand at this centuries-old art.
Travel professionals experience the captivating beauty of Long Quang Pagoda in Thanh Liet Ward, Hanoi. Photo: Le Nam/ The Hanoi Times
A major highlight is the Chu Van An Guesthouse and Memorial Project, with a budget of VND42.7 billion (US$1.62 million) for the 2024- 2026 period. In tandem, Thanh Liet continues to advocate for the expansion of Chu Van An Memorial Park- a 100-hectare complex designed to include a museum, memorial area, and community green space. Both projects promise to elevate the visitor experience and strengthen Thanh Liet’s cultural identity.
The ward hopes travel businesses will support tourism product design, route connection, especially with iconic destinations like the Temple of Literature and the promotion and training required to shape Thanh Liet’s emerging brand.
A wealth of opportunities
Travelers don’t need to go as far as Bhutan, Nepal, or Tibet to experience Tantric Buddhism- Long Quang Pagoda in Thanh Liet Ward, Hanoi, invites visitors to explore its unique Vajrayana architecture and soak in a serene, spiritual atmosphere. Photo: Huy Pham/ The Hanoi Times
During the conference, researchers and tourism enterprises offered candid and constructive recommendations. Many agreed that with synchronized improvements in interpretation, services, and transportation, Thanh Liet could launch a series of distinctive products rich in the essence of Thang Long- Hanoi.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Duong Van Sau, former Head of the Tourism Faculty at Hanoi University of Culture, praised the cooperation model between the city and localities.
He stressed the need for well-trained interpreters able to convey the deep historical and cultural value of each relic, while urging investment in reviving the To Lich River, which could support enchanting river tours infused with Hanoi’s heritage.
Dr. Vu Van Tuyen, CEO of Travelogy Vietnam, described Thanh Liet’s heritage network as a “gold mine.”
With its advantageous location at Hanoi’s southern gateway, he believes the ward can become a launching point for tours connecting the capital with Ninh Binh province.
He suggested innovative experiences such as Han- Nom calligraphy classes and a thematic program titled “Studying to Become a Doctor,” inspired by the area’s academic legacy. He also saw great potential in transforming the beloved hand drum dance into a signature performance for international visitors.
Long Quang Pagoda houses a stunning collection of statues, including Avalokiteshvara- the bodhisattva, or “Buddha-to-be,” of boundless compassion and mercy- one of the most revered and beloved figures in Buddhist tradition. Photo: Huy Pham/ The Hanoi Times
Similarly, Phoenix Voyages Chief Representative Dang Thi Tho proposed combining heritage visits with craft village activities and vegetarian cuisine, offering a rounded experience for foreign travelers.
Chestnut Travel CEO Nguyen Thanh Luan recommended strengthening digital communication, integrating Thanh Liet into city tours that highlight Vietnamese studiousness, and using the Chu Van An Communal House as an ideal space for traditional calligraphy experiences.
He also noted that Quang An Pagoda’s peaceful atmosphere could attract meditation enthusiasts, both local and expatriate that provided the site receives stronger promotion across international digital platforms.
Concluding the conference, Deputy Director Hieu praised Thanh Liet’s proactive efforts and reaffirmed its strong potential in cultural, religious, festival, craft village and folk art tourism.
"With the dedicated collaboration of authorities, businesses and the local community, I believe that Thanh Liet is set to emerge as a vibrant cultural and experiential hub- a compelling new destination for travelers eager to explore the rich heritage of Hanoi," said Hieu.
