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The Western-style architectural complex is a fascinating destination featuring numerous mansions and villas built in the Western architectural style, with the most renowned being the mansion of Bac Lieu's wealthy man Tran Trinh Huy.
Where is the Western-style architectural complex located?
Location: Ward 3, along the banks of the Bac Lieu River, Bac Lieu City, Bac Lieu Province.
Presently, the structures within the Western-style architectural ensemble are situated near various mansions and villas, clustered along both banks of the river in Bac Lieu City. Since their completion, these structures have become a valuable cultural and architectural heritage, cherished spiritually and serving as a source of pride for the people of Bac Lieu.
Bac Lieu tourism boasts numerous intriguing destinations. Photo: Deha law
While Can Tho has the ancient Binh Thuy house and Dong Thap preserves the Huynh Thuy Le ancient house, Bac Lieu retains many villas and traditional Western-style houses. The most well-known and prominent within the Western-style architectural ensemble is the mansion of Bac Lieu's wealthy man, situated prominently along the riverbank. However, there are still many other remarkable and unique structures within the ensemble, such as sturdy administrative buildings - solemn and imposing, including administrative offices, courts, the governor's mansion (also known as the provincial governor's mansion), district halls, council houses, and more.
Beautiful architecture in Bac Lieu. Photo: Blog's Nguyen Kieu Viet Nhu
What structures are included in the Western-style architectural ensemble?
Alongside Can Tho, Sa Dec, and My Tho, Bac Lieu holds a significant position in historical exploitation and development strategies. Some opinions from that time even suggested that Bac Lieu would quickly become the 'preeminent city of the South,' second only to Saigon. Perhaps that's why, since the province's establishment in 1882, considerable funds have been invested in constructing mansions and administrative offices.
Inventory results from the Bac Lieu Museum indicate that there are currently about 21 ancient houses listed for preservation throughout the province. The ancient town area - where many of these structures are concentrated - is undergoing survey and evaluation. What's notable is that most ancient houses in Bac Lieu were designed and built in a combination of Western architectural styles between the 1880s and 1920s, and again from the 1920s to 1945. Specifically, the architecture of various types of ancient houses in areas with ancient Vinh Hung towers, wind power fields, Ghositaram pagodas, etc., follows French styles but harmoniously blends with other traditional architectural styles such as Chinese and Vietnamese. Another impressive aspect is that these structures are carefully crafted to suit the unique climatic and soil conditions of this land at the southern end of the country.
Cao Van Lau Square. Photo: Blog's Nguyen Kieu Viet Nhu
Prominent structures within the Western-style architectural ensemble, which are also famous tourist attractions in Bac Lieu today, include the French Governor's Residence (now the Children's House and Veterans Association headquarters), the French Consulate's Courtroom (now the Provincial Literary and Artistic Association),... Some other high-class villas and mansions were owned by landlords, landowners, and ancient capitalists, built in the Western architectural style along the Bac Lieu Riverbank, arranged chronologically such as:
- Mr. Vu Tung's House (also known as Huyen Son) built in 1906
- Bac Lieu's wealthy man's house built in 1919
- Mr. Truong Xuan's house built in the early 20th century.
- Mr. Vo Van Gioi's House (now the Provincial Library) built in 1930.
Additionally, there are also several Western-style houses with many Eastern features, such as:
- Mr. Cao Trieu Chanh's House (now the former Provincial Women's Union headquarters) built in 1930.
- Mrs. Chung To Anh's House built in 1913.
- Mr. Cao Trieu Phat's House (now the City Bac Lieu Preventive Medicine Center) built in 1938.
- Mr. Cao Trieu Truc's House (now the Bac Lieu City Health Office) completed in 1925, notably housing the ancestral shrine of the Cao family, echoing with the echoes of its construction in 1879.
- Lawyer Ly Binh Hue's House (now the office of the Bac Lieu Newspaper Editorial Board) built before 1945.
- The Courthouse (now the retirement club activity venue) built in 1910.
- The house of Mr. Tran Van Chương, the father of Mrs. Tran Le Xuan.
Currently, there are about 21 ancient houses throughout the province. Photo: khamphadisan
What makes the Western-style architectural ensemble unique?
Long-standing history
Bac Lieu is among the provinces with many ancient and historical structures, rivaling other provinces in the Mekong Delta region such as Tien Giang, Ben Tre, Long An, Dong Thap, Can Tho,... Most of the houses here were built from the late 19th to early 20th century. These include the Phến Council House (1910), the Courthouse (1910), Trach Council House (1919), Mr. Vo Van Gioi's House (1930), Mr. Cao Trieu Phat's House (1938), Lawyer Ly Binh Hue's House (pre-1945),...
Most of them were built from the late 19th to the early 20th century. Photo: Riviu @leekhoa
The majority of the owners of these ancient houses belonged to the intelligentsia influenced by Western education, so they did not overly emphasize ancient details and preferred to arrange and decorate the interiors of the structures in a new and distinct manner, especially in the rooftop areas and balconies. The arrangement and layout of living rooms, bedrooms, dining rooms, and kitchens were also given attention. Additionally, some places even constructed water ponds to create a harmonious beauty for the houses.
Luxurious check-in spots in Bac Lieu. Photo: World Travel
Through the vicissitudes of time, up to this day, the ancient streets and alleys of the Western-style architectural ensemble still stand as witnesses to history and testify to the prosperity of Bac Lieu - once renowned as the land of abundant produce, the foremost rice granary in the South.
Unique architecture
Most Western-style houses, including Bac Lieu's wealthy man's mansion, adhere to the common architecture of the early 20th century. Each house features a meticulously designed main section, adorned with a blend of modern and traditional furnishings within a spacious setting. The front area of the house is often symmetrical, with tiled roofs in octagonal shapes. Inside the house, there are high vaulted ceilings and wide corridors, with transverse beams resembling those in ancient temples, even bearing similarities to structures found in the hundred-year-old Vinh Trang Pagoda in My Tho City, Tien Giang Province, or the ancient house in Tan An.
The combination of Eastern and Western architecture is evident in many houses within the Western-style architectural ensemble. Photo: nucuoimekong
Until now, people still don't know exactly how much money was spent on these houses, but one thing is certain: all the building materials for these unique structures were transported from France. Every steel beam, every door panel, every piece of marble, floor tile, brick... all originated from France. All of these elements have created something special for this architectural ensemble, leaving a distinct mark on Bac Lieu tourism that few other places can match.
Hallways carrying the ancient cultural breath at Bac Lieu's wealthy man's mansion. Photo: nucuoimekong
Thorough exploitation of natural elements
In addition to harmonious architecture blending tradition and modernity and using expensive building materials, French and Vietnamese architects of that time, when constructing buildings in the Western-style architectural ensemble, knew how to thoroughly exploit natural elements to create a picturesque yet harmonious setting for the houses. Indeed, almost all old Western-style houses have spacious environments with various elements such as green trees, sunlight, convenient wind directions, mild temperatures, and cool spaces, so regardless of the season, people always feel cool and comfortable, especially alleviating the sultry heat of the Southern summer. These villas or ancient houses in this region, whether large or small, must have at least dozens of windows and doors, both for ventilation and temperature regulation.
Representative works of Western-style architecture. Photo: Travelers Vietnam Community
Combining modernity and tradition
In addition to the aforementioned special features, the remarkable aspect of Bac Lieu's mansions and ancient houses lies in the harmonious combination of modern and traditional beauty, making these structures both Western and Eastern. Indeed, the Western-style architectural ensemble of Bac Lieu exhibits the elegant lines of high cast foundations, characteristic yellow lime-washed walls of the Western style, while also strongly reflecting the features of Chinese architecture commonly seen in ancient temples and pagodas with three sections, two wings, and further improved with a set of guest reception halls placed in the central hall of the house.
One of the three ancient houses preserving the cultural features of feudal landlords. Photo: thamhiemmekong
In addition, there is no shortage of fragrant wooden screens, made of rosewood or black ebony. The long corridors, lofty vaulted ceilings, and ornate decorations on some houses still retain their exquisite original colors. All of these contribute to creating the unique beauty of Western-style houses, giving the ancient architectural ensemble of Bac Lieu a distinctly different shade compared to other ancient houses in Saigon, Hanoi, or even neighboring provinces.
Bac Lieu mansion. Photo: dulichvietnam
It can be said that through the architecture, interior design, structure, decorations, and garden spaces of Bac Lieu's ancient houses, tourists can experience the cultural and artistic values associated with a historical period of our country. Therefore, if you have the opportunity, do not miss the chance to visit this special architectural ensemble in Bac Lieu to gain more experience in Western travel, my friend.
Thanh (Compiled) - luhanhVietNam.com.vn
Image source: Internet
Posted by: Do Thi Quynh
Keywords: Exploring the unique Western-style architectural ensemble in Bac Lieu
