Having the opportunity to travel to Can Tho after visiting Cai Rang Floating Market, walk along Ninh Kieu Wharf, enjoy fruit, and savor garden cuisine… You should come to visit ancient houses bearing the marks of delta river culture. Meanwhile, the Binh Thuy ancient house (Vietnamese: nhà cổ Bình Thủy, nhà cổ means “ancient house”) is a famous tourist attraction in Can Tho City. It has an outstanding culture and architecture and is one of three famous ancient houses that represent the culture of the Mekong Delta River. This is an indispensable destination for travelers, whether you’re traveling with a group or solo.

History of the Binh Thuy ancient house

The ancient house of Binh Thuy is located at 144 Bui Huu Nghia, Binh Thuy Ward. The house was built in 1870 and owned by the Duong family. In 1911, a member of the 4th generation of this family, Mr. Duong Chan Ky, refurbished the house. He created a harmonious space mix of European and traditional designs. In the 1980s, Mr Duong Van Ngon – a member of the 5th generation collected lots of priceless orchids and grew an orchid garden around the house. 

Binh Thuy ancient house

Until now, the house has existed for over 150 years and has been well preserved. A visit to this destination will be an opportunity to learn fascinating things about the house’s history and architecture.

The architecture of Binh Thuy ancient house

The house was built on a total area of ​​about 6,000 square meters and divided into five compartments. The iron fence and gate were designed in the style of a French mansion. The front is attached with the sign “Phuoc An Hieu”.

The main compartment is reached by two bow-shaped staircases, which were designed on both sides and looked harmonious. There are two other straight staircases leading to the house’s two wings. 

Binh Thuy ancient house

Going up the stairs from the front into the house, there is a series of windows that ensure ventilation. Also, its foundation is about 1 meter above the land surface, making the house more spacious and comfortable. That’s why you couldn’t find any fans or air conditioners inside.

Binh Thuy ancient house

Although the house is in a European style, the living room is decorated in the traditional style of the locals in the Mekong Delta. The incense burners, lamps, and carved structures were all very delicately decorated.

Binh Thuy ancient house

All the sculptures of the house are taken from the image of animals that bring prosperity to the householder, such as bats, birds, peacocks, shrimp, crabs, dragons, and phoenixes …

Binh Thuy ancient house

Besides, the images of Ochna integerrima, lotus, Asteraceae, bamboo, and orchids are also skillfully and ingeniously incorporated.

Binh Thuy ancient house

In addition, the house also has been preserving many valuable antiques for centuries such as marble furniture with a diameter of 1.5m, thicker than 6cm, originating from Yunnan province, China, white lanterns from the XVIII century, cups of tea and wine from the Ming-Qing dynasty, three sets of lavish wooden chairs and tables, big vases with 1.2 meter high, Louis XV style salon, a chandelier dating back to the 18th century….

Binh Thuy Ancient house

This demonstrates harmonious East-West cultural exchange, selectively expressing the owner’s sophisticated aesthetic tastes.

Binh Thuy ancient house

In the end, with its architectural and historical value, Bình Thủy ancient house has been recognized as a “national-level artistic relic national-level” and chosen as the studio of many renowned Vietnamese films, depicting the life of the local people in the past. Director Jean Jacques Annaud used this house, instead of the Huynh Thuy Le ancient house in Sa Dec city, to make the famous film L’Amant (The Lover). 

If you can travel to the West to Can Tho, do not forget to visit Binh Thuy Ancient House – the most beautiful old house in Tay Do (The Western city).

Useful information about Binh Thuy ancient house

Source: collected by An

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