BlogBinh Thuy Ancient House is located in Can Tho city, one of the outstanding cultural and historical destinations in the Southwest region of Vietnam. Built in the 19th century, the house has a subtle blend of Eastern and Western architecture, becoming an ideal stop for international tourists who want to explore more deeply the history and culture of Vietnam. When visiting Binh Thuy Ancient House, visitors not only admire the unique architecture but also have the opportunity to learn about the life, customs and culture of the people of Can Tho in the past.
Overview of Binh Thuy ancient house in Can Tho
Overview of Binh Thuy ancient house in Can Tho
Binh Thuy Ancient House is located at 144 Bui Huu Nghia Street, Binh Thuy Ward, Binh Thuy District, Can Tho City. It is a classical architectural work, outstanding for its historical value and unique architectural art. About 10km from the center of Can Tho City, this house is a must-see destination for those who want to explore the culture and architecture of the Southwest region.
The house was built in 1870 and is owned by the Duong family. After more than 150 years of existence, Binh Thuy Ancient House in Can Thostill retains its original beauty, a testament to the prosperity and unique culture of the West in the late 19th century. The highlight of this work lies not only in the combined East-West architecture, but also in the historical and artistic values it preserves.
Binh Thuy ancient house is designed in French architectural style but still retains traditional Asian elements. The facade of the house has a classical style with sophisticated carvings. Inside, the combination of open space and natural elements such as ornamental gardens and lakes further enhances the quiet and elegant beauty of the house. The interior is decorated with valuable antiques, preserving the luxurious atmosphere of a noble family at that time.
As a typical architectural work, Binh Thuy Ancient House in Can Thoplays an important role in preserving and promoting the cultural values of the South. This is a place that clearly reflects the lifestyle, customs, and cultural exchange of the residents of the Southern river region. With its outstanding architectural and historical values, Binh Thuy ancient house has been recognized as a National Artistic Relic, becoming a cultural symbol not only of Can Tho but also of the entire Southwest region.
History of Binh Thuy ancient house
History of Binh Thuy ancient house
Binh Thuy Ancient House is one of the famous architectural relics, bearing unique cultural and historical values of Can Tho. The house is owned by the Duong family, a long-standing family that has been attached to this land since the end of the 18th century.
Around the end of the 18th century, Mr. Duong Van Vi, a third generation of the Duong family, and his family decided to settle in Co Long Tuyen village, now in Binh Thuy district, Can Tho city. He chose this land as a place to settle down with the goal of building a sustainable life for his family in the context of many social changes at that time.
In 1870, Binh Thuy Ancient House was first built, but the initial structure was quite simple, mainly made of wood and tiled roof. The house at this time had traditional Vietnamese architecture with the goal of serving the basic living needs of the family
After Mr. Duong Van Vi passed away, his son Duong Chan Ky took over the house and property. Mr. Duong Chan Ky is not only a successful businessman but also an intellectual with a deep understanding of art and architecture. With this understanding, he decided to renovate and rebuild Binh Thuy Ancient House in Can Thoin the style of a French villa, combining cultural elements of the Southwest region and Chinese elements, creating a unique architectural work. With development over time, Binh Thuy ancient house has become a symbol of cultural exchange, where traditional values are preserved and continued through many generations.
Explore the architecture of Binh Thuy ancient house
Binh Thuy Ancient House is a symbol of the harmonious blend of Eastern and Western architecture, where traditional Vietnamese culture is subtly combined with French architectural style.
Exterior architecture
Outside Binh Thuy ancient house
From the outside, Binh Thuy Ancient House in Can Thoimpresses with its unique three-door gate architecture with four large pillars, bearing a strong ancient character. The special feature is the modern iron gate, with solid concrete pillars, similar to the image of modern houses today, creating a subtle but no less harmonious contrast with traditional architecture.
Layout and design
House layout and design
The total area of the ancient house is up to 6,000 m², including many spaces that are arranged in a reasonable way. The house is divided into three main parts: the front house, the middle house and the back house, each part has a separate function but is closely connected to each other.
The front house consists of 5 large rooms, where the homeowner receives guests. The open space, with large windows to welcome wind and natural light, creates a feeling of comfort and closeness to nature. The middle house also consists of 5 rooms, of which 3 are reserved for worship, where the altars are solemnly placed. The remaining two rooms on both sides are used as family accommodation. The back house is a common living space, where the family’s daily activities take place.
In addition, the corridor system surrounding the house creates a connection between the areas, making it convenient to move around the house, while ensuring ventilation and air circulation for the entire space.
Construction materials
The ancient house of Binh Thuy was built mainly from rare woods, creating a warm and luxurious feeling for the living space. Inside the house, antique furniture such as tables, chairs, and altars all have high artistic value. Decorative details such as elaborate carvings of apricot, bamboo, peacock, dragon, and phoenix demonstrate the talented sculpting skills of the artisans of that period.
The items in the house, from the table and chair set to the altar, are all in a classical style, carefully preserved through many generations. Each item has profound historical and cultural value, reflecting the respect for the past and traditions of the homeowner’s family.
Ancient house garden
Ancient house garden
Besides the sophisticated architecture and interior, the garden of Binh Thuy ancient house is also a special highlight. The garden is designed in a miniature landscape style, with rare ornamental plants, especially orchids and many types of green trees, creating a peaceful space. The orchid garden stands out with rare orchids blooming all year round, bringing a gentle fragrance and a feeling of closeness to nature.
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Opening hours and entrance fees to Binh Thuy ancient house
Opening hours and entrance fees to Binh Thuy ancient house
Since this is a house where the owner still lives, visitors should pay attention to the opening hours when visiting to ensure that they do not affect the owner’s private life.
Opening hours: To facilitate visitors to explore and admire the architectural beauty of Binh Thuy ancient house, the house is open to visitors at two times of the day:
- Morning: 8am to 12pm
- Afternoon: 2pm to 6pm
Entrance fee: The entrance fee is 15,000 VND/person, a quite reasonable fee.
Travel from Can Tho city center to Binh Thuy ancient house
With a location quite close to the center, getting here is very convenient and easy. The distance from the center of Can Tho city to the ancient house is only about 10 km and the journey only takes about 15 minutes.
From the city center, visitors have many options for transportation to Binh Thuy ancient house:
- Taxi: This is a popular and convenient means of transport for tourists, with taxi companies available in the city center. Just call or catch a taxi directly, you will easily move to the ancient house in a short time.
- Motorbike taxi or technology car: If you want to experience flexible and economical means of transport, traditional motorbike taxi or technology car calling applications such as Grab are suitable choices. Just book a car through the application, the driver will take you to the ancient house quickly.
- Self-driving car rental: For tourists who like to be proactive, self-driving car rental is an optimal solution. You just need to look up the route via Google Maps, the route to the ancient house is very clear and easy to find. Binh Thuy ancient house is located right in the central area, so you will not have difficulty locating or finding your way there.
The ideal time to visit Binh Thuy ancient house
Binh Thuy Ancient House is one of the famous cultural tourist attractions in Can Tho, attracting many visitors thanks to its unique architecture and peaceful space. To have a complete sightseeing experience, visitors should consider the appropriate time to visit.
The period from December to August of the following year is considered ideal to explore Binh Thuy Ancient House. This is the period when Can Tho enters the dry season, with clear blue weather, warm yellow sunshine, and especially little rain, very convenient for traveling and visiting outdoor locations. The dry weather makes it easy for visitors to explore the architectural space of the ancient house, as well as admire the beauty of the miniature garden without worrying about being interrupted by sudden rains.
During the period from January to April, the weather in Can Tho is especially pleasant with mild temperatures, not too hot. January to April is the best season to visit Binh Thuy Ancient House.
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Things to do when visiting Binh Thuy ancient house
Here are things you should not miss when visiting Binh Thuy ancient house:
Admire rare antiques
Admire rare antiques
One of the most attractive features of Binh Thuy ancient house is the collection of rare antiques preserved by the homeowner’s family for many generations. The most prominent items are ivory sets and teapots from the Ming and Qing dynasties, which are all items of high artistic and historical value. These items represent the family’s wealth, reflecting the culture and refined aesthetic taste of the ancients. When admiring the artifacts, you will feel like you are stepping back in time, learning about traditional cultural values through each exquisite carving detail.
Learn about the life of a wealthy family in Can Tho in ancient times
Binh Thuy Ancient House in Can Thois also a living testimony to the lavish life of a wealthy family in Can Tho in the 19th century. When visiting, you can learn about the layout of the living space, from the living area, the worship room, to the family’s daily living areas. Through the details in the house design and daily items, you will understand more about the traditional lifestyle of the upper class at that time, from the solemn worship rituals to the daily life.
Take souvenir photos
The ancient beauty of Binh Thuy ancient house is a perfect backdrop for unique souvenir photos. You can pose for photos in the old-style spaces, from wooden window frames, classic tables and chairs to the peaceful garden scene. Every corner of the house bears the mark of ancient Can Tho, allowing you to recreate the beauty of a bygone era through photos.
We have compiled information about Binh Thuy ancient house and sent it to readers. Hopefully, with the above information, readers will have more understanding about this ancient house as well as note the necessary things for the upcoming trip to Can Tho. Readers do not forget to refer to Sinhcafe‘s Vietnam discovery tours to set foot in each region of the beautiful S-shaped country.
