The house is nestled in a noisy old town, it looks like only 2 floors from the outside, but when you explore, you will go from surprise to surprise!
Located deep in a small alley on Dinh Liet Street, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi, ignoring the hustle and bustle of the town, the 80-year-old house is hidden behind an ancient moss dome.
The garden house seemed to be only 2 floors, but in fact there was an extra floor that you could not see clearly from the outside. The massive “property” was built by husband and wife Pham Van Thanh – Pham Thi Te, about 300m2 wide including garden. Previously, the house had 2 fronts. The main door towards Hang Bac street is used as a shop selling gold leaf. The deeper they go, the more prosperous they are because since ancient times, they thought that if they built a good house, their business would be prosperous and prosperous. But over time, at present, there is only one sub-gate from Dinh Liet street
Pham Van Thanh – Pham Thi Te and his wife were considered to have the best conditions in the region at that time. They gave birth to 8 children, in the family there were 8 more servants, including the nanny and driver. Crowded eating, the two men arranged a room with 6 large jars of rice. The house is now where the family of his youngest son, Mr. Pham Ngoc Hai, 74 years old, lives and preserves. “My family has been living here for 5 generations. Almost the house has not changed since it was first built,” Hai said.
The house was built in 1944, under the design hands of Mr. Pham Hoang – a famous architect, in the first generation of Vietnamese architects. Takes 3 years to build and complete, the house is considered the standard old garden house in Hanoi
The house is built in the northeast direction, in summer it will be cool and warm in winter. On the first day of construction, the surrounding houses had only one floor, so standing from the balcony of Mr. Hai’s house easily overlooking the Sword Lake.
The garden is filled with greenery, witnesses many ups and downs in history and the house. Mr. Hai’s descendants grew up, wanting to split the garden to build a house, but the elders absolutely disagreed. They want to keep the integrity of the “witnesses” this time
The photo of Pham Van Thanh and Pham Thi Te with 8 children on the island, was taken in 1956. Two boys in the left corner of the photo are Mr. Hai and his twin brother (currently living in another country)
65 years passed, the rockery still remains. Mr. Hai bought more miniatures and decorated them beautifully
Every year, the stump has not “tolerated” getting old, growing and lush under the caring hands of generations.
Ancient features and moss are imprinted on each wall and column
Through two wars, the house still retains the cultural interference in the first half of the twentieth century. The creases radiating down the porch, the curved roof of the East blade “blends” Western architecture with high ceilings, the space is subdivided to create a separate. “My literature teacher, who has come to the house to play several times, has to say, ‘I admire the workers in the past, but the tile roof can be curved, but can install tiles’,” said Hai
The first and second floors of the house are the residence and living of the big family
Reminded about the structure of the house, Mr. Hai said the walls were plastered with honey, salt, lime and cement mixed together, so the durability was very solid. The floor is made of stone mixed with the above ingredients, then smoothed
From the door, pattern, wall, … all evoke a quiet and ancient look, opening up a strange and peaceful space.
Most of the construction materials were transported from France, transited in Hong Kong and back to Vietnam, even toilet seats, refrigerators, furniture were imported from France by his family.
The most valuable item that Mr. Hai is all treasured is the 100-year-old furniture, made of nu wood, compact design, the table legs are small but very solid. According to Mr. Hai, Vietnam has only 2 sets, one at the Opera House and the rest his family owns
“This set of furniture was collected by my father from Hong Kong. Previously it was located on the first floor, called a salon room for receiving guests, there was an aquarium about 5m wide, next to the leopard statue made from But since the first floor is no longer owned by the family, the furniture has been moved to the 2nd floor. The area is narrower, our family has sold 2 benches, leaving only 4 chairs. application accordingly, “said Hai. In addition, the paintings on the wall are all painted by his sister Hai, also only 80 years old
This is the room of Mr. Hai’s mother, Mrs. Pham Thi Te. Even though the mother died, the youngest son still tries to keep the status quo of the room, like a miniature “museum”.
“The whole room is still intact, only a few places are covered with ironwood, and the family has called workers to come and rebuild, but must build the right grade 1 ironwood of Nghe An”, Mr. Hai said.
Items, tables and chairs, cabinets, beds, fans … are kept intact. Most of the furniture in the house is made of grade 1 wood, including iron, cheesecloth, and tau. Some beautiful and precious objects are displayed in the living room, but after the family has to gradually sell them to have money to spend.
Over time, the rooms that used to keep only 6 rice jars have become residential rooms. Room has a piano each, also renovated for children
A photo of Mr. Hai’s family, with many historical values, was taken in 1932
The entrance to the 3rd floor is full of “mystery”. Inside the house is also designed a path to the cellar, which holds about 20 people, but the family has not reopened for a long time.
The third floor is the shrine of Lieu Hanh model, now renovated into a drawing room for the 80-year-old sister Nguyet Nga.
Many people have come to ask to buy both the house and furniture, but Mr. Hai’s family agreed not to sell it because he wanted to keep it as a souvenir for future generations. “Even someone pays a random price of 180 billion because they know that we will not sell it high. This is where my parents build it, my childhood and life are attached to it. From here, we grow up and eat so we can make it. No matter what price anyone offers, we all shake our heads to refuse “, Mr. Hai affirmed. Follow Doanh nghiệp & tiếp thị