Dong Hoa Hiep ancient village, Cai Be Commune, Dong Thap Province, is renowned for dozens of ancient houses over 100 years old with unique architecture. Among these, the ancient house of Mr. Tran Tuan Kiet’s family in Phu Hoa hamlet is the most prominent in Vietnam.
Mr. Kiet’s ancient house is nestled in the middle of a green orchard. In front of the house is a large yard with stone tables, chairs, and hammocks swinging in the shade of the trees.
The house was built around 1838, has 3 rooms; 2 connecting wings, nearly 1,000 square meters wide, with 108 pillars, all made from precious woods, ironwood, and rosewood.
The carved and decorative patterns on the rafters, columns, skewers, and walls are very elaborate, typical of the style of ancient houses in the Mekong Delta region. The roof is covered with yin-and-yang tiles, with one row facing up and the next facing down, alternating. The column truss is designed in a typical overlapping beam style.
The interior and wall paintings are all gorgeously inlaid with mother-of-pearl. Connecting the main pillars of the house is a system of panels carved with harmoniously stylized plums, orchids, chrysanthemums, and bamboos, soft motifs, and gilded, which demonstrates the level of craftsmanship and art appreciation of the ancients.
The items in the house are also valuable antiques. Oil lamps, tea sets, chandeliers, cupboards, mahogany shelves… evoke old memories of the Mekong Delta region 200 years ago. The table and desk are also made of solid, precious wood, glossy black, with the color of time.
The chairs are also meticulously made, with sophisticated patterns and spacious, harmonious lines. The floor is lined with roughly fired square tiles, matching the wooden walls and tiled roof.
The homeowner also kept the gate from the ancient times, beautifying the garden more impressively.
In 2002, a Japanese association, JICA, repaired the house and sent a Japanese architect to monitor the work for more than a year. Hence, the entire architecture and decorations of the traditional house were restored to their original design, and it received a Cultural Heritage certificate from UNESCO Asia. And after completion, the house became one of Tien Giang’s tourist destinations, attracting many visitors.
Currently, Mr. Kiet’s Ancient House also serves as a homestay, allowing visitors to rest and experience the daily life of one of the South’s famous wealthy families in the past.
Useful information about Mr. Kiet’s Ancient House
- Address: number 22, group 1, Phu Hoa hamlet, Cai Be Commune.
- Best for: solo travelers, families, students.
- Entrance: Free
- Tourist spots nearby: Cai Be floating market, Ba Duc Ancient House, Ancient house of Mr. Le Quang Xoat …
Source: collected by An
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