A student studies the history and architecture of the 150-year-old house in HCMC’s Nha Be District

An ancient house that has existed for over 100 years in Ho Chi Minh City’s Nha Be District has been drawing attention for years from tourists and researchers alike.

Just six kilometers from downtown, the unique home has existed for nearly 150 years, according to the owner Nguyen Kim Chung.

He says it was built by Nguyen Van Trong, his great grandfather who once governed the district.

The house has now been inhabited by six generations of the family.

It is said that Trong, a Hue resident, brought sculptors from central Vietnam to build the house using bricks and tiles from France.

Other than an annual lime coating, the house has needed very few major upgrades.

The home is a combination of French and southern Vietnamese architecture and certain details highlight central Vietnam’s Hue style.

It also boasts a dome ceiling and the furniture and lamps have been intricately carved with four sacred animals (the dragon, kylin, tortoise and phoenix).

The house covers some 276 square meters and stands on a plot of 1.6 hectares.

Nearly 90 percent of it remains in good condition and despite the modernization of neighboring areas, it still looks timeless and being peaceful surrounded by trees and ponds.

Chung’s house is among a few homes in HCMC that are over a century old, but this one is particularly special since so much of its original structure and interior have been preserved.

It has even appeared in several renowned Vietnamese films.

Chung and his relatives, he said, are happy to receive visitors to the house (provided they are contacted beforehand) and to date, they have received many groups of guests and researchers.

The family, Chung said, is committed to preserving the house and its ancient architecture.

“I will not expand visits for business purposes but I am ready to welcome anyone who wishes to study the ancient architecture without charging a fee,” he said.

The century-old house is located at 18/9 Hamlet 7, Nha Be District, HCMC.

To book a viewing, please contact Chung at (08) 782 7016.

Source: thanhniennews