Tay Ninh is not only renowned for its water tourism sites but also for numerous long-standing historical sites. The most famous is the Hundred Columns House, which exemplifies the quintessence of carving techniques and design harmony and is classified as a National Historic-Cultural Relic.
How is the Hundred Columns House unique?
The owner of the house was Mr. Trần Văn Hoa. It’s 21m wide and 42m long, built in 1898 and completed in 1903, and comprises three spaces: two double wings with an area of 822m², set in a garden of nearly 5,000 m².
The architecture and sculpture of the house were executed by 15 skilled northern workers. Called the Hundred Columns House, but the actual number is 120 columns, including 68 round columns and 52 square columns.
The house was built primarily from precious woods such as rosewood and ebony. The roof was covered with yin-yang tiles, the floor was composed of 0.9m-high boulders, and the floor was tiled with hexagonal Chinese tiles.
A view from the outside of the house
In particular, the architectural decoration at the Hundred Columns House demonstrates that the sculptural art of past artisans was of a high standard, evident in the layout, thematic expression, and technical execution.
The house’s panels, doors, diaphragms, etc. are uniquely decorated
The entire truss and truss system are elaborately embossed and carved with themes such as “clouds turning into dragons” and “four times,” like “strings turning leaves,” typical of Hue, and are very sharp.
The Hundred columns house is divided into two parts. The first part is the area used to welcome guests; the second is the area for staying; and the third is the area for family activities. From the columns to the furniture, such as tables and chairs, altars, beds, cabinets… are all meticulously carved with classic themes such as the ” Four Spirits (Dragon – Unicorn – Phoenix)”, the ” Four Elements (yellow Mai – orchid – chrysanthemum – bamboo)”…
In addition to Western themes such as roses, squirrels, and grapes, and Southern elements such as custard-apple, bowls, starfruit, and mangosteen, the artisans have meticulously and skillfully presented them.
The room at the Hundred Columns House is also adorned with horizontal, parallel-sentence vertical paintings, lacquered, gilded, and conch-encrusted, whose content expresses thoughts on a leisurely life, praises beautiful scenery, and prays for blessings and longevity.
Valuable items in the house are hundreds of years old, and most are made of precious wood. In particular, the most useful is the set of wooden couches in the main room for daily tea reception.
A set of wood couch with horizontal parallel sentence, vertical, lacquered in the room
The arrangement and placement of each item within the house convey meaning, demonstrate dignity, and advise children and grandchildren to live according to the moral principles of Confucianism and Buddhism.
The space inside the house is splendidly decorated with arrangements of places of worship.
The Hundred Columns House was built in the Nguyen Dynasty style, clearly reflecting the Hue style. Because it was made according to the owner’s orders in the Southern context of the French colonial period, the decoration featured numerous small details, creating richness and diversity.
Ancient space behind the house
It is also part of the history and culture of the Mekong Delta at the end of the 19th and the beginning of the 20th centuries.
How to get here?
To admire the beauty of the famous house in Tay Ninh, visitors should choose an appropriate means of transportation. For tourists residing in the Northern or Central regions who wish to visit the Hundred Columns House, you can book flights to Tan Son Nhat Airport, as there is no airport in Tay Ninh yet.
It takes approximately 1-2 hours on the plane. After landing, you can take a taxi or use a local bus to get here. It would be the best option, especially when traveling with a group, to book a private car to Long An Ward with a driver, as the car can pick you up from the airport, making sightseeing and relaxing on the way easier.
Model of 7-seater car to Long An
For tourists living in the city. In Ho Chi Minh or neighboring provinces, you can also book a private car/bus or take a tourist bus. Currently, several bus companies operate routes to Long An Ward, including Futa, An Hoa Hiep, and Thien Bao, with ticket prices ranging from 200,000 to 250,000 VND, depending on the type of seat you choose.
If you are a person who loves speed and wants to conquer the road to the hundred-pillar house, you can choose a motorbike. With an easy-to-understand route, you can search and follow Ms.Google Maps advice!.
Helpful information about the Hundred Columns House
- Address: Trung Hamlet, Long Huu Commune, Tay Ninh Province.
- Best for: Family, couple, solo
- Entrance: Free
- Opening Hours: Daily 08:00 – 17:00
Source: collected by An
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