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The Binh Thuy Ancient House, a gem in the heart of Can Tho, is not only a prominent tourist attraction but also a cultural heritage site that has been preserved almost intact to this day. Built in 1870, the house is a vivid testament to a unique cultural fusion, where Eastern architecture blends subtly with Western touches, creating a beauty that is both ancient and modern, attracting visitors from all over the world.
Listen to fascinating and captivating anecdotes at this famous tourist destination in the Western region of Vietnam.
From the center of Can Tho city, it's only about a 10km drive to reach Binh Thuy Ancient House. The house is located at 144 Bui Huu Nghia Street, Binh Thuy Ward, Binh Thuy District. From the late 18th century, Can Tho, a land of opportunity, attracted people from all over to settle and make a living. Among them was the Duong family. Mr. Duong Van Vi, a descendant of the third generation of this family, was the one who started the construction of this house. Initially, the house was made of wood and tiled. Thirty years later, he also designed and rebuilt it. In 1904, he passed away, and his youngest son, Duong Chan Ky, continued the construction. The house was finally completed in 1911.
Binh Thuy Ancient House is a place where Eastern and Western architecture blend perfectly, and is a popular tourist destination in Can Tho.
Having weathered over 150 years of historical ups and downs in the Western region, this is one of the rare ancient houses that has been preserved almost intact. In 2009, Binh Thuy Ancient House was recognized as a National Architectural and Artistic Monument. And it has always been an attractive destination for tourists on their journey to explore the waterways of the Mekong Delta.
Mr. Duong Chan Ky was the owner of the house and also a wealthy businessman and landowner with refined taste. He often enjoyed exploring new things and popular Western trends, especially in architecture. Therefore, when visiting Binh Thuy Ancient House, you can see that it boasts an elegant French-style villa architecture. Even more remarkably, it also bears the distinct mark of Eastern feng shui, creating a harmonious blend of Eastern and Western cultures.
The Binh Thuy ancient house is built on a plot of land with a total area of approximately 6,000 square meters, oriented east-west, with the house's foundation raised more than 1 meter above the garden area. The entire house is surrounded by ornamental plants, meticulously trimmed and flowers blooming year-round, creating a vibrant and refreshing atmosphere that avoids monotony.
Due to its unique historical and artistic value, Binh Thuy Ancient House has quickly become an ideal filming location for directors. Specifically, many classic films were shot here, such as: The Prince of Bac Lieu, The Beauty of Tay Do, The Roads of Alluvial Plains, The U Minh Storm, Life's Debt, The White Flower River, The Autumn Female Commando Team...
This place has also served as the setting for many famous films.
The classic films shot here also partly capture the unique cultural values of the Mekong Delta during that period, captivating the hearts of viewers with the free-spirited and lyrical charm of the Southern Vietnamese riverine region. Most notably among them is the world-famous film "The Lover" (1992) by the renowned French director Jean Jacques Annaud.
Architecture with a unique blend of Eastern and Western influences.
Anyone seeing the Binh Thuy ancient house for the first time will have a unique feeling about its architecture. It features a distinctive blend of Eastern and Western architectural styles. Around the time Mr. Duong Chan Ky built the house, Western culture was flourishing. Therefore, many European architectural elements appear in the house. This explains why the Binh Thuy ancient house is both solemnly ancient and elegantly spacious.
The house's unique architecture
Looking at Binh Thuy Ancient House from the outside, the first thing that catches the eye is the iron fence with concrete pillars. Because of this modern style, many tourists easily overlook it, mistaking it for the fence of a villa. Passing through the main gate leads to a three-arched gate in the Chinese architectural style, located slightly to the right, with four large pillars: two cement and two wooden.
The architecture is impressive even from the outside.
The beam system at the triple-arched gate is constructed of wood, with a roof covered in blue glazed tiles. The top is decorated with lively figures such as goldfish, unicorns, and flowers. Most notably, there are two large signboards: "Phước An Hiệu" in Chinese and "Dương Family Ancestral Temple" in Vietnamese. From the courtyard, observing the exterior architecture of the Bình Thủy Ancient House, you will admire its exquisite beauty. This comes from the vivid carvings and sculptures on the columns, archways, and house edges. Furthermore, the ancient house impresses with its two arched staircases leading inside. If you look closely, you can see two large bronze lamps from the French colonial era placed in front of the facade on either side of the staircases.
The house, built in 1870, features a blend of Eastern and Western architectural styles.
This house is a sophisticated blend of Eastern and Western architecture, breaking away from the traditional three-bay house of the Western region by constructing a spacious five-bay structure, creating a living space that is both elegant and cozy.
The dark-colored floor tiles, imported directly from France, are one of the house's special highlights, giving it a classic and luxurious look. The three main areas of the house, including the front, middle, and back sections, are seamlessly connected and separated by intricately carved wooden archways, showcasing the skill and sophistication of ancient craftsmen.
h. This place also holds great value for research and study of the culture, customs, and traditions of the Mekong Delta region in general during the transitional period between the two centuries.
Stepping inside, visitors will be amazed by the beauty of the antique furniture, arranged in a balanced and harmonious manner. The living room boasts a classic European style with a Louis XV-era French sofa set and a magnificent crystal chandelier, creating a luxurious and elegant space for receiving guests. Meanwhile, other spaces in the house bear the mark of opulent ancient Vietnamese style with a Ming-Qing era wine set, a set of green-veined marble tables and chairs from Yunnan, and a 1.2-meter-tall green-glazed jade vase – all contributing to a vivid recreation of the image of a prosperous family during that period.
An impressive space with a strong Eastern cultural feel.
One thing that particularly impresses many visitors about the owner of the Binh Thuy ancient house is that, despite the house bearing the strong imprint of a blend of Eastern and Western cultures, the family's worship space still retains a distinctly Vietnamese character. This demonstrates the sophistication and aesthetic sense of the Duong family, who skillfully absorbed the advanced aspects of Western culture while preserving their national cultural identity.
