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Located right in the heart of Sa Dec city, the Huynh Thuy Le ancient house stands out with its unique architecture, difficult to find parallels with any other landmark in Vietnam. The blend of ancient Vietnamese and French design has created a distinctive structure for this house. Moreover, it is also a place that preserves many historical values, imprinting the story of a beautiful yet incomplete love. Don't hesitate to read the following article from NVK travel to explore more details about this location.
The Huynh Thuy Le ancient house attracts tens of thousands of visitors each year, becoming one of the distinctive tourist symbols of Sa Dec city.
The Huynh Thuy Le ancient house is an attractive tourist destination, located at 255A Nguyen Hue Street, Sa Dec city, Dong Thap province. This place captivates visitors with its unique architecture. In addition, the romantic love story associated with the history of the house's formation also piques the curiosity of many.
From 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, visitors can purchase tickets and visit the ancient house for 30,000 VND/person (including entrance fees and guide services). If you want to experience the nostalgic living space of the old aristocracy, you can use the special overnight accommodation service for only 550,000 VND/room (including breakfast/lunch costs).
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The beauty of the ancient house from the front view
The history of the Huynh Thuy Le ancient house always amazes anyone who hears about it. Specifically, this house was started to be built in 1895 by Mr. Huynh Cam Thuan (a wealthy Chinese merchant) living in Sa Dec, Dong Thap province. In its early days, the house had an old-fashioned quality but strongly reflected the architecture of the Southern people with glazed tiles laid in rows on the roof. Notably, the house is surrounded by intricately carved patterns, entirely handcrafted by the hands of contemporary artisans.
However, after many renovations, especially in 1917, the house underwent many changes in appearance with the addition of French architectural details inside. The blend of the two design styles created a wonderful harmony, deeply imprinted with the historical marks of a bygone era.
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The ancient house preserves beautiful historical values
What makes people feel attached when visiting the Huynh Thuy Le ancient house is the romantic yet tumultuous love story between Mr. Huynh Thuy Le and Ms. Marguerite. Marguerite Duras was a contemporary French writer and also the owner of this magnificent ancient house. In the 1920s, when Marguerite was only 15 years old, living in the Indochina colonial area, she had a fateful encounter with Huynh Thuy Le.
Le was a gentle young man, born into a wealthy Chinese family. However, their love story was forbidden by Marguerite's family due to ethnic and social status differences. Marguerite turned her unfinished love story into an autobiography, which made a significant impact in Western countries. This autobiography is titled "The Lover" (in French, L'Amant), published in 1984.
To this day, the ancient house has been preserved in its original state, maintaining the beauty of its pristine architecture. For the Southeastern region in particular, this place has become a cultural intersection that cannot be missed for anyone who loves timeless beauty.
The ancient house is a testament to an everlasting love
NVK travel recommends that you prioritize visiting the Huynh Thuy Le ancient house on weekdays. If you dislike the feeling of crowding and suffocation, try to avoid weekends or holidays as visitors will flock in large numbers. Especially during the process of admiring the architecture of the house, visitors should avoid touching artifacts.
Visitors should visit the ancient house on weekdays
The unique architecture of the Huynh Thuy Le ancient house has caused many newspapers to spend ink praising it. The exquisite combination of three main cultures: French, Chinese, and Vietnamese has turned this house into an interesting "cultural intersection." The interior space, after being renovated, carries the classic French style with distinctive carvings. From large glass windows to gracefully curved wrought iron railings, everything is arranged logically to highlight the luxurious, elegant, and polite nature of this place.
Although largely influenced by French architecture, the Eastern cultural elements still envelop the house. This is due to the use of precious wood to create pillars and build the surrounding space, meticulously painted and gilded with familiar carvings of ancient Vietnamese.
Notably, there is an ancestral altar, solemnly placed in the central position, accompanied by a large antique bed with unique carvings. Looking down at the floor, traditional floral patterns combined with the high ceiling create a harmony and an unprecedented antiquity.
The ancient house features an architecture that blends three cultures
When visiting the Huynh Thuy Le ancient house, here are some unique experiences you shouldn't miss.
Indeed, the first experience we recommend to you is to admire the unique architecture of the ancient house. Put on your "historical lens" to explore every corner inside, from the French-style facade to the interior layout that is distinctly "Vietnamese-Chinese."
Don't forget to capture the intricate carvings around the house, while also taking in the artistic beauty of ancient artifacts displayed in the luxurious shelving.
The surrounding scenery of the ancient house is breathtaking
Rich in nostalgic style, this place also attracts visitors with its luxurious "background." Dress in vintage outfits, and you will surely have photos reminiscent of ancient aristocrats when checking in here.
Check in freely at the ancient house with countless beautiful landscapes
Ultimately, the house is also a cultural heritage symbol of Sa Dec city. Therefore, stepping foot here is also an opportunity for visitors to explore the surrounding culture and enjoy the delicious local specialties.
Exploring the unique Sa Dec culture
If you have finished visiting the Huynh Thuy Le ancient house, tourists can easily move on to other nearby locations in Sa Dec city to explore and create many memorable experiences.
Sa Dec Flower Village is a century-old craft village, where more than 2000 different flower species bloom vibrantly. It is only 5 kilometers away from the Huynh Thuy Le ancient house, making it a must-visit on your upcoming trip to Dong Thap.
Learn about the century-old flower village in Sa Dec
Sa Dec Park is even closer to the ancient house than the flower village, being only about 2 kilometers away. This is one of the largest parks in Dong Thap Muoi, with an area of over 22 hectares.
If you want to find peace for your wild soul, you can go to Kien An Cung Pagoda. Built between 1924 and 1927 by Chinese immigrants from Fujian, this pagoda has a strong Chinese influence, with ancient features and a very sacred atmosphere.
Stepping into the sacred Kien An Cung Pagoda
Through the previous article, the secrets related to the ancient house of Huynh Thuy Le have been revealed in great detail. This is not just a famous tourist destination in Dong Thap, but also carries significant historical value, symbolizing the architectural blend between two beautifully intertwined countries. When hearing about the romantic century-long love story associated with this place, the hearts of travelers become even more touched.
Therefore, if you want to stop by here in the future when traveling to Dong Thap, please connect with NVK travel to be guided on a tour and hear more detailed cultural stories.
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