The Prince of Bac Lieu’s house is a famous tourist destination in Bac Lieu. The house is one of three ancient houses representing the culture of the old West. It is also associated with the legends about the name of the young prince of Bac Lieu. A notorious playboy of the past with the lyrics “burning money like paper to show off his wealth”. When visiting, you will be introduced to the architecture, the items in the house and listen to the explanation of the legends and biography of the Bac Lieu prince.
General information about Prince of Bac Lieu’s house
The house of the young master of Bac Lieu is located at 13 Dien Bien Phu, Ward 13, right in the center of Bac Lieu city. The house stands out in the area with its grandeur, bearing a timeless, luxurious Western architectural style. This is also a cultural site, associated with many legends and stories passed down through generations about the life of the most prominent young prince in the West.
This special house was built in 1919, when “Bac Lieu prince” Tran Huy Trinh was 19 years old. Bac Lieu prince’s house was designed and built by the hands of a French engineer from quality materials imported from faraway France. With its massive scale, local residents also call this famous house the “Big House”.
Symbol of a golden age
Bac Lieu prince, a name associated with extreme wealth and the most luxurious lifestyle in the South in the early 20th century. When visiting prince of Bac Lieu’s house, in addition to being introduced to the architectural features, the birth of the house, related objects and utensils, visitors are also told many anecdotes about its owner (Mr. Ba Huy) by the tour guide.
According to these anecdotes, Bac Lieu prince was the first Vietnamese person to own a private plane in the country; the first to visit rice fields by plane; The organizer of the first beauty pageant (the precursor to later beauty contests) in the South… Being from Bac Lieu, he owned a lot of land, salt fields (salt-making land), coal mining, and the most rented out houses, so he was very rich. Typically, the story of the competition of burning money to cook sweet soup with Bach prince or “Bac Lieu prince burned money to cook eggs to show off his wealth” has been included in the lyrics…
Unique architecture of Bac Lieu prince’s house
The villa was designed by a French engineer, most of the construction materials were brought from Paris. Many details, materials, and furniture in the house were imported from France, from bolts, screws to construction details, all have the letter P stamped to show their origin.
As soon as you step into the house, you will be captivated by the meticulous, sophisticated design lines, exuding luxury and splendor. The golden lamps shine with shimmering light, creating a cozy and elegant feeling. Each pillar of the house is decorated with many beautiful patterns.
The first floor (ground floor) of the mansion includes 2 bedrooms, a living room and two large halls with a large staircase leading upstairs. Upstairs there are also 2 bedrooms and two large, airy halls, absorbing sunlight and wind, making the mansion always airy and cool.
The room believed to belong to the Prince of Bac Lieu has an antique bed.
The staircase to the second floor is made of marble, divided into 3 sections, each section has 9 steps symbolizing longevity and eternity. The wooden staircase leading to the terrace was formerly where Mr. Trach, the father of the Bac Lieu Prince, used to dry money.
Up to now, the project is more than 100 years old, but the architectural and artistic values of the mansion of Mr. Huy, not only have not been “outdated” compared to the times, but on the contrary, have become more valuable and highly appreciated.
The kitchen of the house has been converted into a ticket counter for visitors. In the house, there are also many objects associated with the legend of “Black Prince” – nickname of Mr. Huy.
This is the car that Mr. Tran Trinh Trach bought in 1930 in Saigon to pick up his son, Bac Lieu Prince, who returned from studying in France.
Visiting the house of the young prince of Bac Lieu, you will admire the remaining valuable artifacts such as: 2 hot beds and a cold bed, a set of sofas made from a single piece of wood, a set of “Tam Lan” rotating tables (round table with stone top, triangular legs with 3 unicorns carved on it), a set of “Tuong Banh” (with the shape of an equipment tied to the back of an elephant to carry people and goods), a “Tam Thanh” where Tran Trinh Khuong, the younger brother of Bac Lieu prince, resting), the bed of Mr. and Mrs. Trach, a bed for opium smokers, a card table, a vase, … are all very valuable items.
Some items left at Bac Lieu prince’s house
Although there have been many losses over time, what remains is enough to prove the lavish and regal life of the owner of the house.
Most of the objects in the house of the young master of Bac Lieu are preserved intact. Many appliances such as music players and landline phones are even still working. The place where people stop the longest is the altar of Mr. Tran Trinh Huy and his first wife. People say that no one can count how many wives Bac Lieu prince had, but the first wife, Mrs. Ngo Thi Den, was properly married, the daughter of a wealthy landlord in the area. The rest were his concubines, including a French woman.
Mr.Huy and his family members
Attractive Western tourist destination
The Bac Lieu Prince and his anecdotes have all become nostalgic and past. Today, the mansion, also known by the popular name of Bac Lieu Prince’s House, has become a favorite destination for domestic and foreign tourists. And it is also the anecdotes about the debauchery, the lavish lifestyle of Bac Lieu Prince that make tourists from far away even more curious, wanting to see for themselves the place where the Bac Lieu Prince lived.
Tourists take souvenir photos at the house of Bac Lieu prince
Coming here, visitors also have the opportunity to relax in luxurious French-style rooms, fully equipped, experiencing the life of a queen, a luxurious prince at the Bac Lieu Prince Hotel. With its ancient and luxurious beauty, the mansion is a great background for “so deep” photos. Don’t forget to capture memorable moments at the main gate, garden, or inside the galleries.
Source: collected by An
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