Huynh Thuy Le Ancient House, a hidden gem nestled in the heart of Sa Dec city (Dong Thap province), is not only a unique architectural work but also a place preserving remarkable historical and cultural stories. With over a century of history, this ancient house has become an attractive destination for both domestic and international tourists, especially those who want to explore the beauty of East-West architectural fusion and listen to the romantic yet tragic love story between the young master Huynh Thuy Le and the French writer Marguerite Duras. Let’s explore the mysteries and charms of this special ancient house with “Travel Around The World”.
Discovering the Unique Architecture and Historical Value of Huynh Thuy Le Ancient House
Huynh Thuy Le Ancient House is located at 255A Nguyen Hue Street, Ward 4, Sa Dec City, Dong Thap Province. The house is open to visitors from 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM daily, promising an exciting journey of discovery.
History of Formation and Development
Going back in time to the late 19th century, in 1895, Huynh Thuy Le Ancient House was built by Mr. Huynh Cam Thuan, a wealthy and famous Chinese-Vietnamese merchant in the region. Initially, the house was built in the traditional three-compartment style of the Southern region, bearing a simple and close-to-nature character. However, in 1917, the house underwent a major renovation under the direction of Mr. Huynh Cam Thuan. This renovation brought a completely new look to the house, as the architecture was harmoniously combined between Vietnamese, Chinese, and French styles.
This unique cultural fusion created a one-of-a-kind architectural work, both carrying the ancient, traditional features of the East and faintly reflecting the romantic, sophisticated beauty of the West. After Mr. Huynh Cam Thuan passed away, the house was passed down to his son, Mr. Huynh Thuy Le, who continued to preserve and maintain the original unique architecture. Therefore, the house is widely known as Huynh Thuy Le Ancient House to this day.
With its special historical and cultural values, Huynh Thuy Le Ancient House was recognized as a Provincial-level Historical Relic in 2008 and a National-level Historical Relic in 2009. Currently, the house is managed by Dong Thap Tourism Joint Stock Company and has become a famous cultural tourist destination, attracting thousands of visitors each year.
The ancient Huynh Phu house with unique architecture, combining Asian beauty and the essence of French architecture
Unique Architecture – A Fusion of Eastern and Western Cultures
Huynh Thuy Le Ancient House has a total area of about 258m2, built mainly from precious woods and roofed with yin-yang tiles in the traditional boat-shaped style. The special feature in the architecture of the house is the delicate combination of different architectural styles.
From the outside, the house impresses with its imposing, solid appearance in the French architectural style. The walls are built thick from 30 – 40cm, replacing traditional wooden walls, creating solidity and good sound and heat insulation. The facade of the house is decorated with reliefs in Roman and Renaissance styles, showing luxury and nobility.
However, when stepping inside, visitors will clearly feel the traditional Vietnamese and Chinese architecture. The wooden column system is still maintained in the traditional three-compartment style, the roof tiles are laid in the style of Northern Vietnamese temples with curved rooftops. Inside, the house is carved with many sophisticated patterns, painted with lacquer and gilded in Chinese style, showing the wealth and power of the Huynh family.
Another unique architectural detail is the altar of Quan Cong (General Guan Yu) placed in the most solemn position in the house. This is a popular belief of the Chinese people, expressing solemnity and wishing for family peace and prosperity. The floor of the house is designed to be sunken according to the feng shui concept of “water flowing to low places”, with the wish that money will always flow into the house.
The harmony between Eastern and Western architectural styles has created a unique, one-of-a-kind beauty for Huynh Thuy Le Ancient House. The house is not only a beautiful architectural work but also a living testament to the cultural exchange between countries in history.
Explore the unique architectural beauty inside Huynh Thuy Le Ancient House
Huynh Thuy Le Ancient House and The Timeless Love Story
Huynh Thuy Le Ancient House is not only famous for its unique architecture but is also associated with the romantic and tragic love story between the young master Huynh Thuy Le and the French writer Marguerite Duras. This story was told by Marguerite Duras in a moving way in her famous novel “L’Amant” (The Lover), published in 1984.
In 1929, Marguerite Duras, then a 15-year-old girl, met and fell in love with Huynh Thuy Le, a wealthy Chinese-Vietnamese young master. Their love blossomed in Sa Dec and lasted for 18 months. However, this love affair faced strong opposition from Huynh Thuy Le’s family, especially from his father, Huynh Cam Thuan. Mr. Huynh Cam Thuan believed that this relationship was not suitable for family traditions and the social status of the family line.
Under pressure from his family, Huynh Thuy Le was forced to end his relationship with Marguerite Duras and marry a Chinese-Vietnamese woman as arranged by his family. Marguerite Duras had to leave Vietnam and return to France, carrying with her an unfinished love and deep sorrow.
Although Huynh Thuy Le Ancient House is not the place where the love of Huynh Thuy Le and Marguerite Duras blossomed (their house was located in Cho Lon, Saigon), this ancient house is still considered a symbol associated with their timeless love story. Tourists visiting the ancient house not only admire the unique architecture but also learn about the love story that has gone into world literature and cinema.
The novel “The Lover” and the film of the same name have made a big splash around the world, making the love story of Huynh Thuy Le and Marguerite Duras immortal. Huynh Thuy Le Ancient House has since become an attractive destination for literature and film lovers and those who want to discover the mark of a romantic but troubled love affair.
The ancient house is a witness to a romantic and tragic love story
Experiencing Huynh Thuy Le Ancient House Tourism
Directions and Ideal Visiting Time
To get to Huynh Thuy Le Ancient House, visitors have many transportation options. If departing from Ho Chi Minh City, you can take a bus from Mien Dong bus station or An Suong bus station. Travel time is about 3 hours. When you arrive at Sa Dec bus station, you can easily take a taxi or motorbike taxi to the ancient house.
In addition, visitors can also actively travel by motorbike or private car along National Highway 1A towards Sa Dec. The road is quite easy and takes about 3-4 hours depending on the speed of travel.
The best time to visit Huynh Thuy Le Ancient House is in the early morning or late afternoon. At this time, the weather is cool and pleasant, and you can comfortably explore the beauty of the ancient house without worrying about the hot sun. Avoid visiting at noon, especially in the summer.
Various means of transportation to Huynh Thuy Le Ancient House
Ticket Prices, Services, and Notes When Visiting
The current entrance ticket price to Huynh Thuy Le Ancient House is VND 30,000/person. If you want to experience dining at the ancient house, you can choose lunch or dinner with a ticket price of VND 100,000/person. In particular, the ancient house also provides overnight accommodation services with room rates from VND 550,000 – VND 1,000,000/night, including lunch and breakfast. This is a unique experience, helping visitors better feel the ancient and peaceful space of the house.
Some important notes when visiting Huynh Thuy Le Ancient House:
- Choose a less crowded time: The ancient house is often crowded on weekends and holidays. If you want to have a quiet and comfortable space, you should go on weekdays.
- Comply with regulations: Do not touch artifacts, do not litter, maintain general hygiene and protect relics.
- Civilized behavior: Maintain a solemn attitude, do not make noise, respect the historical and cultural space.
- Ask for permission when taking photos or filming: If you want to take professional photos or film, you need to ask for permission from the management.
Things to note for a complete visit to the ancient house
Sa Dec Cuisine Near Huynh Thuy Le Ancient House
After visiting Huynh Thuy Le Ancient House, do not forget to explore the unique cuisine of Sa Dec. Around the ancient house area, there are many eateries and restaurants serving local specialties such as Sa Dec noodle soup (Hu Tieu Sa Dec), Banh Tam Bi, Nem Nuong Cai Mon, Lau Mam…
You can enjoy Sa Dec noodle soup at roadside stalls or in Sa Dec market. This dish is famous for its delicious chewy noodles, rich broth, and diverse toppings. Banh Tam Bi is also an attractive snack with the fatty taste of coconut milk, shredded pork skin, and roasted rice powder. If you want to enjoy meals in a more luxurious space, you can find restaurants in the city.
Conclusion
Huynh Thuy Le Ancient House is not only an attractive tourist destination but also a valuable cultural heritage of Dong Thap and Vietnam. Coming to the ancient house, visitors not only admire the unique architecture, learn about the history of formation and development of the house, but also listen to the timeless love story that has become legendary. If you have the opportunity to visit Dong Thap, do not miss the opportunity to explore Huynh Thuy Le Ancient House, a destination imbued with historical, cultural, and romantic marks.