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Hà Giang is not only renowned for its majestic natural landscapes but also boasts historical landmarks steeped in time. Among them, the Vuong King's Mansion stands as a unique architectural marvel, a pride of the highland people. Explore this captivating destination with Mytour through the following article.
Exploring the Vuong King's Mansion (Vuong Family Mansion)
The Vuong King's Mansion, also known as the Vuong family mansion, is a grand architectural structure spanning nearly 3,000m2. Situated amidst the Sa Phin Valley (Dong Van, Ha Giang), it was constructed in the 20th century. With its splendid ancient beauty steeped in ethnic identity, this mansion attracts a significant number of tourists each year.
Where is the Vuong King's Mansion located?
The Vuong King's Mansion is situated in the Sa Phin Valley, Lung Phin Commune, Dong Van District, Ha Giang Province. The Vuong family mansion is approximately 125km from the city center and about 15km from the Dong Van Plateau. This ancient mansion is intricately linked to the life and illustrious career of two H'Mong individuals, Vuong Chinh Duc and Vuong Chinh Sinh.
The Vuong King's Mansion sits amidst the expansive Sa Phin Valley, around 125km from the Hà Giang city center. (Image source: Compiled)
Mr. Vuong Chinh Duc (1886 - 1962) served as the leader of the H'Mong people during the French colonial period. The Vuong family lineage once governed the four largest districts in Ha Giang, including Dong Van, Meo Vac, Yen Minh, and Quan Ba.
His son, Vương Chính Sình, was a renowned revolutionary soldier of our nation. He dedicated his entire life to serving the motherland during the Vietnam - France war. In recognition of his significant contributions, Vương Chính Sình was elected as a National Assembly delegate for two consecutive terms.
The history of the formation of the Vuong King's Mansion
The Vuong King's Mansion was constructed in the late 1890s and officially inaugurated in 1907. Over the span of 9 years, the mansion of the Vuong King consumed over 15,000 Dong Duong, equivalent to 150 billion Vietnamese dong today. Inspired by the cultural beauty of the H'Mong people, the mansion was built by skilled craftsmen from Yunnan (China). The Vuong family mansion features a unique architectural style blending three cultural influences: Chinese, H'Mong, and French.
As the most famous architectural work in Ha Giang province, this historical site has been officially recognized by the government as a “National Cultural Heritage”.
Discover the unique architecture of the Vuong King's Mansion (Vuong Family Mansion)
The entire mansion complex is built on a turtle-back shaped hill. Surrounding this hill are the majestic Dong Van mountains. Despite enduring numerous historical upheavals, the Vuong King's Mansion still retains the enchanting beauty of the Northeast region.
In order to construct this mansion, King Meo - Vuong Chinh Duc personally invited a renowned Chinese feng shui master to Ha Giang. The feng shui master explained that building the mansion on a turtle-back hill surrounded by two large mountains would bring great fortune and prosperity for life.
This architectural masterpiece harmoniously combines the influences of three cultures: Chinese, H'Mong, and French. (Image source: Compiled)
The mansion comprises 4 horizontal houses, 6 vertical houses, and features 3 courtyards: Front, Middle, and Rear. Estimated to accommodate up to 100 people with 64 rooms, this grand estate boasts walls made of blue stone, fir wood ceilings, and tiled roofs made of baked clay.
Upon stepping into the mansion grounds, visitors are mesmerized by towering sycamore trees reaching towards the azure sky at the entrance gate. The architecture of the building is a fusion of Chinese culture, French art, and intricate Chinese patterns.
What legends surround the Vuong King's Mansion (Vuong Family Mansion)?
Renowned not only for its impressive and vast architectural structure, but the legends surrounding the Vuong family mansion also hold a peculiar allure.
Legend has it that the original residence of the Northeastern King Meo - Vuong Duc Chinh was a large mountain pass. However, he encountered numerous difficulties and obstacles living there. Therefore, the Vuong family invited the talented feng shui master - Truong Chieu from China to read the fortune and build a house.
After careful consideration, the master chose the Sa Phin Valley as the location to build the mansion. Truong Chieu believed that a house situated amidst a turtle-shaped hill would bring prosperity and wealth to the entire family. Indeed, as predicted by the feng shui master, the Vuong family prospered more and more, leading a prosperous life thereafter.
The Vuong King's Mansion is also famous for mysterious legends with a hint of spiritual elements. (Image source: Compiled)
Additionally, there is a mysterious legend involving King Meo's son, Vuong Chinh Sinh. The story goes that the second generation of the Vuong family was cursed, nearly facing death. Moreover, the entire family line could have been endangered and the ancestral lineage cut off. Following this, Vuong Chinh Sinh invited a feng shui master to seek guidance.
The master advised that due to his father's tomb violating the dragon vein, they incurred divine punishment. Therefore, the entire family needed to relocate the tomb of the ancestral king. Vuong Chinh Sinh followed the master's advice and moved his father's tomb elsewhere. As a result, upon marrying his fourth wife, he finally had a legitimate heir.
Exciting Discoveries at the Vuong Family Mansion
The Vuong King's Mansion is situated atop the Dong Van limestone plateau. Visitors can travel from downtown Ha Giang to the Quan Ba Heaven's Gate - Yen Minh pine forest. If you continue a bit further, you'll arrive at the Vuong King's Mansion. Here are some stunningly surreal check-in spots at the Vuong family mansion.
The pathway leading to the house is paved with intricately crafted granite slabs, surrounded by a vast orchard. Inside the house, many original artifacts are still preserved, such as stone mortars, wooden tables and chairs, and a hearth.
Simply striking a pose, visitors can capture stunning check-in photos reminiscent of classic film scenes. (Image source: Compiled)
Admire the Unique and Striking Architecture
The mansion is an exquisite blend of unique building materials such as sycamore wood, blue stone, and baked clay tiles following the yin and yang style. The house gate is designed in the shape of swirling bat wings, symbolizing wealth and prosperity. Sculptural art is delicately incorporated through intricate carvings on blue stone slabs.
The Vuong family mansion is built on a unique turtle-back hill, with two tall mountains in front representing civil and military officials guarding the estate. (Image source: Compiled)
Dress in vibrant traditional ethnic costumes, and you're sure to capture stunning cinematic-like photos here.
Important Tips for Visiting the Vuong King's Mansion
To fully enjoy your visit, here are some important things to note when visiting the Vuong King's Mansion.
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Be cautious on the road when heading to the mansion: Due to the limestone plateau terrain, many roads are relatively dangerous with winding slopes. If you intend to travel to the mansion by motorcycle, make sure to thoroughly maintain your vehicle before departing.
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Equip yourself with clothing and umbrellas: The weather in the Dong Van plateau is quite unpredictable. Sometimes, this mountainous area experiences heavy rain. Therefore, prepare additional raincoats and travel gear to ensure a smooth journey.
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Avoid touching artifacts: As this is a cultural relic belonging to the state, tourists are not allowed to touch or tamper with the artifacts.
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Avoid causing noise: This is a solemn historical site, so loud laughter or noise will affect other visitors. Therefore, maintain a polite and courteous attitude when visiting the mansion.
Above is all the information about the famous tourist spot in Ha Giang - Vuong King's Mansion. Hopefully, with these insights from Mytour, you will gain more valuable knowledge about this special mansion. Are you planning to book a Ha Giang tour but don't know where to start your journey? Contact the hotline Mytour from Mytour to receive attractive offers!
