Visit the rich neighborhood of Thanh Phu Long
In the past, when the branches of the Vam Co River embraced the fertile land of Long An, this place gave birth to a prosperous community, the traces of which are still preserved through the hundred-year-old ancient houses. Xom Nha Giau ( the rich neighborhood) - the name recalls the luxury of a golden age, was where the richest landowners and mandarins in the region built massive properties, both to affirm their status and to demonstrate the refined aesthetic taste of the upper class of the South. More than a century has passed, those houses still stand firm, although stained by time but still retaining the soul of a bygone era.
The ancient houses all have a structure of 3 rooms and 2 wings
Long An currently has 2 national historical relics of ancient houses: the Hundred Pillar House and the Thanh Phu Long Ancient House Cluster (Xom Nha Giau). These are rare intact structures, with special cultural values. The unique point is that both relics are still inhabited, preserved and conserved through many generations.
From Tam Vu town, following the asphalt road towards Thanh Phu Long commune, Chau Thanh district, visitors will encounter the gate of Thanh Phu hamlet.
Going deep into the hamlet, the Thanh Phu Long ancient house cluster is hidden at the end of the blue stone road, weaving through the vast dragon fruit gardens, creating a scene that is both peaceful and tinged with the color of time.
At the end of the 19th century, when the country was still under the rule of French colonialists, the wealthy families of Thanh Phu Long built majestic houses, demonstrating their power and wealth. The most prominent of these are the three ancient houses of the three brothers of the Nguyen Huu family: Nguyen Huu Hiep, Nguyen Huu Hoanh and Nguyen Huu Hung.
These houses were built from 1898 to 1908, on a land area of 15,000m², each house has an area of 528m², bearing the mark of traditional Southern architecture.
All three houses are built in the style of brick walls, tiled roofs, and tiled floors with a structure of 3 rooms and 2 wings. The architecture of this cluster of houses follows the mouth shape - a common layout in ancient buildings of the upper class.
The front and back houses are connected by two bridges, in the middle there is a skylight yard, which not only helps to get light but also creates ventilation and balances feng shui.
Inside the houses, the furniture and decorative arts are still intact
The house in the ancient house complex of the Nguyen Huu family, where Mr. Nguyen Huu Xuan - the fourth generation descendant is living, has undergone two renovations. The heavy ironwood doors, the large, elaborately carved pillars are still intact.
The back house was damaged, only the foundation remains, but Mr. Xuan still tries to preserve it to the best of his ability, keeping the ancient features in the midst of modern life.
Stepping inside, we encountered a quiet space, tinged with time with elaborately carved horizontal lacquered boards and parallel sentences. Every motif on the pillars, the doors, the walls is imbued with the philosophy of life, such as "Tu linh" (4 beasts: Dragon - Unicorn - Turtle - Phoenix), "Bat buu" (eight treasures), "Tu thoi" (Spring - Summer - Autumn - Winter) and then images of birds eating mangoes, lotus, fish, squirrels, and young crabs - all of which reflect the liberal, rustic but sophisticated culture of the South.
The Chinese characters such as Duc Luu Phuong, Chan Gia Thanh, Quang The Trach engraved on the horizontal lacquered boards not only show the prestige of the family but also are blessings for future generations.
Next door, the house of Mrs. Phan Thi Tim - the fourth generation granddaughter of Councilor Hoanh, was completely restored according to the original, becoming a model of preserving ancient architecture in the cluster.
Anyone who steps in here feels like they go back to a world of more than a hundred years ago, where the laughter of famous families once echoed.
Over the years, the precious wooden altar inlaid with mother-of-pearl has been preserved intact, preserving its exquisite beauty and timeless value
Over the past century, Xom Nha Giau still remains there, witnessing many changes in this land. Although time has covered the roofs with layers of old dust, although some buildings only have foundations left, the cultural and spiritual values left by ancestors remain intact. Descendants of the Nguyen Huu family are trying to preserve and restore the ancient houses to preserve this precious heritage.
As society develops, ancient houses are becoming increasingly rare, becoming historical witnesses. Not only are they ancient architecture, they preserve golden memories, where the old rhythm of life seems to still echo.
Those who love history come here to touch the past and listen to the stories of this land. Although time passes, the cultural values still exist like the ancient roofs, quietly but proudly in the heart of modernity./.
By Du Nhien - Translated by Q. Thien
Source: https://baolongan.vn/tro-ve-xom-nha-giau-thanh-phu-long-a192321.html
