Combined Eurasian architecture, over a hundred years, still intact ancient features. The old house of Huynh Thuy Le is also associated with the story of painful love that resounds everywhere.
The history of the ancient house of Huynh Thuy Le
Coming back to Sa Dec – Dong Thap, you will be guided by people to a hundred-year-old house, famous throughout the western river region. The old house of a wealthy Chinese businessman – Huynh Cam Thuan and remains intact today. A unique combination of impressive Asian – European, Eastern – Western culture and architecture.
The old house goes back hundreds of years
The old house Huynh Thuy Le was built in the last years of the 19th century, with the central terrain located right next to the Sa Dec River. Initially only raw material, until the period in 1917 was remodeled by the owner. The inside still retains Asian colors, but the outside is covered with bricks according to French architecture.
Attractive classical architecture from outside the gate
This old house is the inheritance that Mr. Huynh has left to his youngest son to inherit. This place is also a place associated with the famous love story of Huynh Thuy Le with a beautiful French girl.
This old house has now become an attractive tourist destination
In the years following his death, family members no longer stay in this house. There was also a time when the old house of Huynh Thuy Le was used as a workplace for a police unit in Sa Dec, until 2007, it was used by the Dong Thap government for the purpose of tourism development. 
National monument is well known
With great meanings in both history, architecture and culture it owns. By 2008, this old house was recognized as an important relic at the provincial level and at the same time became a national monument in 2009.
Unique architecture of the old house
The old house Huynh Thuy Le Dong Thap with 3 superficial compartments, over 250 square meters wide bearing the identity of the Southwest, behind is the corridor leading to 2 bedrooms. Materials are mainly made of wood and tile imported from China. The typical soft Vietnamese roof is covered with yin and yang tiles with two curved ends. The campus in front of the house is about a cool garden.
Classical architecture of the Renaissance period. Photo: @Nguyenkhuonghavy
Experiencing many ups and downs and changes of history with many years of existence, but this house still remains quite intact. The architectural features are evaluated to be unique and rare, becoming a symbol that deserves to be kept forever.
Rare ancient architecture. Photo: @UyenLinh
In the middle of the house is a statue of a gold lacquer painting
When you step inside the old house of Huynh Thuy Le, you will be overwhelmed by the bold design style of the Chinese people. In the middle of the house is the altar of Quan Cong worshiping with a painted gilded statue, two sides with meticulously carved dragon worship.
The items are carefully mosaic and decorated
Around other decorative details are also carved flowers, leaves, birds with full wishes. Especially the mahogany collapses, frames or wooden decorations are inlaid with four precious shapes and four spirits (taking the image of a bat instead of a turtle).
Impressive architecture from the outside
The decorative details are both Asian and European
The windows and the main door at the old house of Huynh Thuy Le Dong Thap are attached with reliefs and designed in an arched Renaissance style, not square as in our country. The ceiling is also meticulously made with alternating details of the two cultures.
Each brick was brought back from France
In addition to some typical items of Cochinchina, the owner of the house has imported from France on small pieces of glass or bricks to build and pave the house. Standing in the middle of the house will feel lower than elsewhere, because this is his design intention with the desire that his family will always be rich.
The aisle leads to the back bedroom with a large hatch
In the old house of Huynh Thuy Le, decorative items such as bookshelves, clocks, antique phonograph, tea pots, television, pictures of the homeowner, … Or a bedroom with a bed from hundreds of years can be keep intact. Affirming its unique architectural position not only at the time of its inception but also to this day.
The old television is still intact. Photo: YENESKHAC
Anecdotes about a tragic love story
Whenever there is a chance to travel to the West , everyone is curious to come to this ancient house to learn about the unique architecture of hundred years. In particular, I also heard about the surviving love story of two people with destiny but no destiny.
The house is associated with a tearful love story
Huynh Thuy Le’s old house is not the place where he and his lover lived together after meeting by chance in 1929. But it is the place where he every day misses the French girl in the distance, about the time. 3 years 2 people are passionate together. 
The 100-year-old bed of Huynh Thuy Le
Due to the difference in age, bloodline and family, Father Huynh Thuy Le did not let them come together. Then, the 16-year-old girl had to regret returning home, and he alone here married a new wife in sadness. Once he went to France and called her to express his nostalgia, but that love is still a sad story.
The work “Nguoi Tinh” was later transformed into a film and screened in Vietnam
Later, the old house Huynh Thuy Le was known more both at home and abroad. Because it is mentioned in the work “The Lover” by the old French girl – Mrs. Marguerite Duras wrote. The work published in 1987 was extremely popular and received a prestigious French literature award. Translated into many languages and adapted into movies.
Some note when visiting
– Ticket price to visit Huynh Thuy Le ancient house : 20,000 VND / person (for both Vietnamese and foreign visitors).
– In this old house, there are 2 bedrooms that still retain the old design. If you want to experience the stay here you can book in advance, with the price from 500,000 – 550,000 VND / room for 1 or 2 people and including meals.
– You can also choose to have lunch after visiting here for about 200,000 VND / person.
If you have a chance to return to Dong Thap Muoi, do not forget to visit the old house of Huynh Thuy Le to explore this unique project!