Khuoi Ky – The Unique Centuries-Old Stone Village of the Tay People in Cao Bang
(TITC) – Nestled along the poetic Khuoi Ky stream in Cao Bang Province, the Khuoi Ky Stone Village, with a history of nearly 400 years, has become one of northern Vietnam’s most captivating destinations. Home to the Tay ethnic community, this tranquil village enchants visitors with its remarkable stone architecture, rich cultural heritage, and warm highland hospitality, offering an experience that is both fascinating and deeply human.
The beauty of Khuoi Ky Stone Village (Photo: Cao Bang News)
The most distinctive feature of Khuoi Ky lies in its stone stilt houses. While Tay people in other regions traditionally build wooden stilt houses, here, stone serves as the primary material. The foundations, columns, walls, and even the kitchens are constructed entirely from carefully stacked stones, solidly fitted together without the use of mortar. According to village elders, this architectural style dates back more than four centuries, originating during the Mac Dynasty’s retreat to Cao Bang, when defensive stone villages were built for protection. Over generations, local residents preserved and refined this tradition, creating a unique cultural hallmark found nowhere else in Vietnam.
The stone stilt houses of Khuoi Ky reflect both rustic beauty and enduring craftsmanship. The use of stone keeps the homes cool in summer, warm in winter, and resilient against the mountain region’s wind and rain. Beyond their architectural value, these houses hold deep spiritual significance for the Tay people. The ancestral altar, placed at the center of the home, symbolizes reverence for ancestors and deities, embodying the community’s rich spiritual life and respect for family traditions.
Visiting Khuoi Ky, travelers not only admire the timeless architecture but also immerse themselves in the vibrant cultural life of the Tay ethnic group. The villagers continue to preserve traditional customs and art forms such as Then singing, Tính lute music, and the Lồng Tồng (Field Work) Festival, held every spring to pray for good harvests. Their simple yet graceful indigo costumes and flavorful traditional dishes, including seven-flavor roasted duck, black sticky rice with canarium nuts, bamboo shoot soup, fermented leaf wine, and bánh khảo (sweet rice flour cakes), contribute to the village’s irresistible charm.
The natural scenery surrounding Khuoi Ky further enhances its appeal. Just a short drive away lies Ban Gioc Waterfall, one of Southeast Asia’s most magnificent cascades, and the spectacular Nguom Ngao Cave, famous for its stunning stalactites. This favorable location makes Khuoi Ky an ideal stopover on any journey through the poetic landscapes of Cao Bang.
In recent years, as tourism flourishes, Khuoi Ky has transformed into a community-based cultural tourism village. Many local households have opened homestays, providing both sustainable income and authentic cultural experiences for visitors. Guests can stay overnight in ancient stone houses, savor homemade Tay cuisine, learn traditional weaving and basketry, or join villagers on a visit to the local market. Despite the growing number of tourists, the community remains deeply committed to preserving the environment, maintaining the village’s traditional lifestyle, and protecting its serene landscape.
Today, Khuoi Ky Stone Village has rightfully earned its place as one of Cao Bang’s most iconic destinations, a living testament to the Tay people’s creativity, resilience, and harmony with nature. With its centuries-old stone houses, time-honored customs, and the gentle rhythm of daily life by the stream, Khuoi Ky offers travelers not only a journey through space but also a journey through time, back to the soulful simplicity of Vietnam’s highlands.
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