If you ever thought that traveling to the Mekong Delta only had rivers and floating markets, there is a destination that will change your mind. That is Binh Thuy ancient house - a nearly 150-year-old architectural work, still retaining almost its original beauty.
Let's explore this special work with MLifeOn in the article below.
History and legends - from the contract to the prosperous family
Binh Thuy ancient house is located at 142/144 Bui Huu Nghia street, Binh Thuy ward, about 9km from the center of Can Tho. The house was originally owned by the Duong family, built in the late 19th century and is now nearly 150 years old.
Binh Thuy ancient house is nearly 150 years old
According to local people, during the construction process, Mr. Duong Chan Ky - the owner of the house, had a special agreement with Mr. Ba Nghia, who is known as "Mr. Lo Ban" of the West. The special thing about this agreement lies in Mr. Ky's strange request: "The house must be beautiful, but after it is completed, I must become rich." In response to this strange request, Mr. Ba Nghia did not waver and replied: "If the homeowner is rich, my fate must be miserable." Finally, in order for the agreement to be fulfilled, Mr. Ky pledged to provide rice and silver to Mr. Ba for the rest of his life.
Although the truth of the story is unclear, after the Binh Thuy ancient house was completed, the Duong family's rapid prosperity was evident to everyone.
After the house was completed, the Duong family quickly became rich.
East-West architecture in harmony
In addition to the thrilling anecdotes, Binh Thuy ancient house also attracts visitors by its outstanding architectural style of East-West fusion.
The house was built on a high foundation to avoid flooding - a common feature in the house construction of the ancient Western people. The interior architecture of the building is a combination of East and West.
Entering Binh Thuy ancient house, you will immediately recognize the innovation in design: The house is divided into five rooms instead of three rooms as the traditional rule of Western houses. That open space not only creates an airy feeling but also shows the progressive architectural thinking of the homeowner at that time.
Binh Thuy ancient house has 5 rooms, creating an airy space. This is also a breakthrough compared to contemporary works.
The floor is paved with dark tiles imported from France, giving a cool and ancient feeling. The wooden arched doors are elaborately carved, connecting the rooms, creating a soft connection between the spaces while still maintaining their own unique features.
The floor is tiled - a characteristic of Western architecture.
The living room is where the East-West cultural exchange of the building is most evident. Here, you will see a set of French Louis XV style furniture, along with a classic chandelier hanging from the ceiling - all exuding the luxury and nobility of a golden age.
French Louis XV style table and chairs set
Going deeper into other rooms, you will see items bearing the mark of East Asian culture. That is the set of ancient wine cups from the Ming and Qing dynasties, the set of green marble tables and chairs brought back from Yunnan, China, or the 1.2 meter high green glazed jade vase, … each item here is arranged symmetrically and harmoniously, showing the delicate aesthetic taste and respect for traditional values of the homeowner.
1.2m high green glazed jade vase
Many valuable relics are kept at Binh Thuy ancient house.
Despite absorbing Western culture, the worship area of Binh Thuy ancient house still retains its pure Vietnamese features. Through this, we can see the sophistication of the owner: "Accepting the new, but not losing the soul of the nation".
Perhaps because of its unique architecture, Binh Thuy ancient house is not only a tourist attraction, but also a place chosen by many film crews as the setting for many famous films such as: “The Lover” (1992), “The Alluvial Roads” (1995), “The Beauty of Tay Do” (1996), “Debt of Life” (2004)…
Visiting Binh Thuy ancient house, you can see that every corner of the house, every door frame has a cinematic look - both ancient and lively. The house has become a source of inspiration for many artists, filmmakers, researchers, and even tourists who want to find a place of old memories.
When you come here, you have to walk slowly and look carefully at every small detail, because every brick and every pillar tells a story.
Conclusion
Binh Thuy ancient house is not only an ancient architectural work, but also a part of the soul of Can Tho city - where the past can still be found and felt vividly, where culture is preserved through each generation.
If you have the opportunity to come to the West, visit Binh Thuy ancient house. It does not take too much time, just an afternoon walking around to see that: "Heritage is not just something to see, but to feel."
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CREDIT:
- Photography: Luan Nguyen
- Content: Giang Huynh
- Design: Phuong Nguyen
