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Below are three famous old houses that showcase a harmonious blend of Eastern and Western architecture.
The house of the Prince of Bac Lieu
Tran Trinh Huy, known as the "Prince of Bac Lieu" for his wealth and ostentation, was born in 1900. The third son of Tran Trinh Trach, Trinh Huy owned numerous houses across six southern provinces. Many of his houses were elaborately decorated, but the most beautiful was located in Bac Lieu city.
This house was designed and built in 1919 by a French architect. All the furnishings were imported from Italy and the United States. All the bricks, reliefs, and marble tiles were shipped from France. Even the screws were engraved with the letter P – indicating they were made in Paris. Precious porcelain was imported from China. Upon completion, it became one of his most beautiful homes.
After years of renovations, the house still preserves all its original luxurious details: furniture made from precious wood; intricately carved tables and chairs; and even a bed estimated to be worth over 1 billion VND. Trinh Huy was also the first person in Vietnam to own a private plane. At that time, only two people owned private planes: him and King Bao Dai.
Huynh Thuy Le Ancient House
The Huynh Thuy Le ancient house, located on the banks of the Tien River, is a blend of French, Vietnamese, and Chinese architecture. It is one of the settings in the novel "The Lover" by the famous French writer Marguerite Duras.
More than 100 years later, the house still retains its beauty: Renaissance reliefs, graceful Greek domes. The exterior blends with the warmth and familiarity of Eastern architecture: carvings of birds and flowers. Like the house above, the interior of the Huynh Thuy Le ancient house was imported from France.
The house was built in 1895 and became famous after being depicted in the novel "The Lover," published in 1984. The story tells of the love affair between Huynh Thuy Le and the writer when they were young. In 1990, Jean Jacques Annaud adapted the novel into a film, making the house famous not only among locals but also among foreign tourists.
Binh Thuy Ancient House, Can Tho
In Annaud's film, the Binh Thuy ancient house is used as the setting for Huynh Thuy Le's home. Built in 1870 by the Duong family in Can Tho city, the house is still owned by the family today.
The Binh Thuy ancient house is a balance of Eastern and Western architecture, with many precious heirlooms. The house features arched vaults and French-style exterior reliefs, and Gothic-style steps leading to the main hall – furnished with precious wooden furniture from the South.
The garden boasts a variety of beautiful orchids. The house's charm also lies in its valuable collection of antiques, including a marble table from China, a French-style sofa from the time of King Louis XV, and a tea set, teapot, and vase that are approximately 500 years old.
