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The boat glided slowly down the lower Mekong River, its waters a light turbidity of silt, flanked by lush green orchards stretching to the horizon. The ancient village of Dong Hoa Hiep, Dong Thap (formerly Tien Giang province), appeared, its old houses and gardens interwoven, spread across seven hamlets and home to nearly 4,000 households. Historical records indicate that from the 18th century, this area served as the administrative center of Long Ho Dinh for 25 years (1732-1757). The presence of officials and landowners during the Nguyen dynasty brought prosperity, laying the foundation for the large wooden houses that were later built.
Sunset over the lower Mekong River, former Tien Giang province.
Amidst that lush green landscape, as the village road curves deep into a dense garden, visitors suddenly stop before a building of unusual beauty: a pristine white facade, French-style round columns, but hidden behind it is the familiar shape of a traditional Hue house. This is Mr. Xoat's ancient house - the house considered the oldest in Dong Hoa Hiep village.
Mr. Xoat's old house is situated in an orchard, resembling an old European house.
Mr. Xoat's old house - a meeting point of architecture and history.
The old house of Mr. Xoat is located at 620 An Thanh Hamlet, Dong Hoa Hiep Commune, Cai Be District, now Cai Be Commune, Dong Thap Province. According to the Le family genealogy, the first owners were Mr. Le Van Ky and Mrs. Pham Thi Lau, from Central Vietnam, who migrated to the South in the late 18th and early 19th centuries to establish their lives. Construction of the house began in 1818 and was completed in 1821 - a time when the area was sparsely populated but already showing signs of prosperity.
Initially, the entire structure consisted of three parts: the upper house, the lower house, and the granary. The upper house – where ancestors were worshipped and guests were received – was built in the three-bay, two-wing style, using the traditional Hue-style house structure and precious woods such as ironwood, ebony, and teak. The lower house served as a living space, while the granary, approximately 150 m² in size, was used to store rice and farming tools, but was dismantled before 1975.
The gilded lacquered horizontal plaque is commonly found in the architecture of wealthy families' homes.
What's remarkable is that in 1920, when Western architectural trends spread from urban to rural areas of Southern Vietnam, Mr. Xoat's family added a front facade in the French style. The facade, measuring 24.5 m², features columns 4.39 m high, arched doorways, a tiled floor with floral and vine patterns, and the words "Nhut Tan" inscribed at the top, creating a rare blend of Asian and European styles in the countryside.
The front facade of the house is in the French style.
Passing through the facade, connected to the main house is a spacious thatched-roof structure (bridge house) of over 121 m², built in 1920 with 14 wooden columns and a yin-yang tiled roof. From here, five doors with upper and lower panels open into the upper house – where traditional architecture is preserved. The system of 40 wooden columns resting on green stone bases, the three-layered yin-yang tiled roof, the hexagonal tiled floor… remains sturdy after more than two centuries.
The three-layered yin-yang tiled roof and hexagonal terracotta floor tiles have been preserved intact.
During the 1960s and 1970s, the facade's ceiling was also used as a secret bunker to hide cadres and documents during the resistance war against the US. The history of the house is therefore not only intertwined with the lives of its residents but also bears the mark of those brutal years of war.
From the thatched roof to the main house (upper house) through 5 doors made in the style of upper latticework and lower paneling.
A plate of garden fruit and the story of the housekeeper.
Just as we managed to capture a few photos, a petite woman emerged from inside, carrying a plate of freshly picked fruit from the garden. It was Mrs. Doan Thi Tri, wife of Mr. Le Quang Xoat – the fifth-generation descendant of the family. For over 40 years as a daughter-in-law, she has been dedicated to her role as guardian of this heritage.
"When guests come to the house, we must offer them fruit first," Mrs. Tri said with a gentle smile, placing a plate of guavas and longans on the time-worn wooden table. Then, as if accustomed to telling stories to guests from afar, she slowly began to talk about the old days.
“Mr. Ky – the family's ancestor – spent ten years buying timber all the way from Cambodia, then assembling rafts and floating them down the Mekong River to get here. When he had enough wood, he went to Hue to bring in craftsmen, and it took three years of continuous work to finish the house,” she recounted. Her voice was even, but her eyes shone with pride.
The interior of the old house features a distinct East Asian architectural style, with furniture entirely made of precious woods such as ironwood and teak.
Ms. Tri said that almost all the furniture in the house has been kept in its original position. “This is a valuable asset left by my grandparents, and I take care of every single item. The tables and chairs are left exactly as they were; I wouldn't dare change them.” Every year, the family sprays insecticide to protect the wooden frame from termites. In 2000, some dilapidated items were restored: the guest room floor was relaid with ceramic tiles, the termite-damaged columns were covered with cement, and the mother-of-pearl inlaid details were treated with protective oil.
According to her, these interventions were only aimed at "keeping the house standing," while the original spirit and form absolutely remained unchanged.
The details in the main house have been preserved to this day by four generations of Mr. Ky's descendants.
Living heritage in an ancient village is honored.
For six generations, Mr. Xoat's ancient house has remained an integral part of his family's life, while also being open to tourists for free visits and photography. In 2014, the structure was classified as a provincial-level architectural and artistic heritage site. In 2017, Dong Hoa Hiep ancient village was recognized as a national heritage site by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism – a recognition of the preservation efforts of the local community and individual families.
Since 2013, the Dong Hoa Hiep ancient village festival has been held every two years, featuring cultural and folk activities that help ancient houses like Mr. Xoat's house not just "stand still" in the past but continue to thrive in the present.
Leaving the house, the village road leads to orchards laden with fruit, the wind rustling through the leaves, and in the distance, the Mekong River flows silently. Mr. Xoat's old house remains there as a silent witness to over 200 years of history, where architecture, memories, and life in the Mekong Delta blend together, enduring through time.
