Did you know - in the heart of Cho Gao, Dong Thap province, there is a building that was the setting for a series of famous films such as Nguoi dep Tay Do, Cong tu Bac Lieu, Nhung duong duong phu sa, and especially the international film Nguoi tinh (The Lover) by director Jean-Jacques Annaud.
That place is Binh Phan Ancient House - an old building bearing the mark of the Southwest region.
Visiting Cho Gao, visiting the ancient house
Binh Phan ancient house in Cho Gao, Dong Thap province (old Tien Giang area)
Located in Cho Gao district, Dong Thap province (old Tien Giang area), Binh Phan ancient house appears like a forgotten slice of time. The old wooden gate, the yin-yang tiled roof, the walls stained with time - all make me stunned. Not because of the grandeur of an ancient building, but because of the feeling of being faced with a forgotten memory.
I stepped through the threshold, the sound of wind blowing through the rotten wooden frame, the light slanting through the broken window. There was no guard, no introduction board, but every detail still told a story - in its own way.
History of the hundred-year-old house
Binh Phan ancient house was built in 1929 by Quan Tri Huyen Le Ngoc Chieu, who held an important position in the administrative system during the French colonial period. Some people say that Huyen Chieu was a learned man, lived honestly, and loved culture, so the house he built was not only to live in, but to preserve a way of life.
The house is not only a place to live, but also a symbol of the cultural, architectural and lifestyle exchange of the ancient Southern intellectual class.
Over many generations, the house used to be a place to hold festivals, welcome guests, and preserve many valuable artifacts. It now has a somewhat "desolate" appearance when no one takes care of it. According to sources of information, because the descendants of Huyen Chieu have all settled abroad, the house has been handed over to the state for management. But perhaps because there is no plan to exploit the project, the preservation of Binh Phan ancient house is still being neglected, leaving many regrets in the hearts of tourists who love ancient, long-standing works when visiting.
abandoned building, leaving many visitors with regrets
Unique architecture - a place where East meets West
Binh Phan Ancient House bears the mark of traditional Southern architecture, combined with the old French style. The facade stands out with a system of carved wooden columns, yin-yang tiled roof, high and wide windows, tiled floors, and ceilings painted with sophisticated patterns.
The house is arranged in the style of three main rooms and two wings, an airy garden, straight rows of areca trees, and the old well is still there. Although it has deteriorated, every detail of Binh Phan ancient house still shows sophistication, solemnity and harmony with nature.
The building has an architectural fusion between East and West
The ceiling is painted with sophisticated patterns
I walked into the middle room, which used to be the reception room. Light slanted through the broken window, shining on the old brick floor. The smell of rotten wood, the smell of time - all seemed to tell a chapter of life that had passed, as if it had never been lost.
the space used to be an important reception area, now abandoned
Abandoned construction and the story of preservation
Today, Binh Phan ancient house is no longer inhabited and is not properly preserved. The tiled roof has collapsed, the walls are peeling, and the garden is desolate. Visitors here, although attracted by the architectural style, can only stand outside and look, or quietly step in, take a few photos, shoot a few videos as souvenirs, and then leave with a feeling of regret because there is no information board, no guide.
Without a clear restoration plan, Binh Phan ancient house - a building that used to be the pride of Cho Gao land, is now just a forgotten relic.
I left Binh Phan ancient house, wondering: "Who will preserve these beautiful things, before they disappear completely?"
Heritage is not only the past - but also a source of inspiration today
Binh Phan ancient house is not only a tourist destination, but also a source of inspiration for artists, directors, writers, researchers and tourists. I believe that preserving and promoting the value of the house not only helps preserve a part of the cultural heritage, but also a knot - connecting today's generation with the memories of the ancient West.
Sometimes, preserving heritage does not necessarily mean turning it into a crowded tourist destination, but simply keeping the original state of the building, arranging for caretakers, regular cleaning, and having an introduction board in front, is enough for a heritage to continue living.
I do not expect Binh Phan ancient house to become a famous check-in spot. I just hope it can live - the way it used to live, used to be beautiful, used to be a part of this land.
Conclusion
Binh Phan ancient house is not brilliant, not famous, but makes visitors who have the opportunity to visit remember. Because that beauty does not lie in perfection, but in the cracks of time, stories that no one has told, and emotions that are not easy to name.
If you have the opportunity to visit Cho Gao, Dong Thap province (old Tien Giang area), stop by Binh Phan ancient house for a bit. No need to bring a fancy camera, no need to prepare much, just a little silence, a little calm - to see that heritage is not just something to look at, but something worth preserving and conserving.
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CREDIT:
- Photography: Luan Nguyen
- Content: Giang Huynh
- Design: Trung Huynh
