(TITC) - The ancient house is world famous since it is associated with a movie produced by Hong Kong.
alking about the South-West region of Vietnam, it is impossible not to mention the beautiful, famous ancient houses and cultural heritage of the river region. Surely tourists are familiar with Binh Thuy ancient house (Can Tho), the Prince of Bac Lieu (Bac Lieu) or Cai Cuong ancient house (Vinh Long). And in Dong Thap, there is also an ancient house of more than a hundred years old associated with a famous story as well as a different architectural style.
Huynh Thuy Le - The old house is internationally famous from movies to real life
Huynh Thuy Le ancient house is located at 255A Nguyen Hue Street, Ward 2, Sa Dec City (Dong Thap). The house was built in 1895 by Mr. Huynh Cam Thuan - one of the richest Chinese-origin merchants at that time in Sa Dec.
Photo: Tran Nam
The name Huynh Thuy Le was named after the son of the owner of the house. This young master is also known as the main character in the novel "L'Amant" - the female lead is the French author Margueritte Duras. The two met on the My Thuan ferry in 1929, at that time, he was 32 years old, and she had just passed 16. Their love blossomed, but faced fierce opposition from Mr. Huynh Cam Thuan. Although Mr. Le once knelt before his father to ask to live with the girl he considered the destiny of his life, he did not receive his father's nod because there were too many differences between East-West cultures.
The love affair between a Chinese-Vietnamese boy and a French girl only lasted 18 months. The day Margueritte Duras boarded the ship to return to France, she stood on the side of the ship and saw her lover's familiar black car silently saying goodbye to her. After that, Huynh Thuy Le also married a girl from the suitable alliance. To acknowledge this love, Margueritte Duras published a novel called "L'Amant" (The Lover) in 1984. The work resonated and received the Goncourt Award (the most prestigious award in French literature).
Jane March and Tony Leung Ka-fai take on the male and female leads in the film
Huynh Thuy Le ancient house became more known to international tourists when in 1986, the novel was adapted into a movie of the same name. Jane March and Tony Leung Ka-fai took on the main roles and the first time "Lover" premiered in Vietnam was in 1991. Although the scene in the movie was recreated in the ancient house of Binh Thuy, many domestic and international tourists still come to Sa Dec City to see with their own eyes the house associated with the love story of the male and female protagonists.
The 130-year-ancient house is open to welcome visitors, with more attractive activities
Unlike other familiar ancient houses, Huynh Thuy Le ancient house possesses a unique architecture. If you look from the outside, the house looks like a French-style villa. However, when setting foot inside, there is a feeling of closeness and traditional colours. These are doors, pillars, altars, sap gu (a special type of bed made of mahogany), tea cabinets, gilded painted motifs, and dragon and phoenix carvings with bold Asian characteristics.
The tour "Follow a lover's footsteps", taking visitors to explore the ancient house of Huynh Thuy Le, has become a typical activity for anyone who sets foot in Sa Dec in particular, Dong Thap in general. However, some time ago, the house had to be closed for inspection and restoration work. It was not until 15th December 2023 that Huynh Thuy Le ancient house officially reopened, charging admission tickets and welcoming visitors.
Inside the ancient house (Photo: Tran Nam)
This opening also coincides with the Sa Dec ornamental flowers Festival, from 30th December 2023 to 5th January 2024, so it is expected to receive the attention of many tourists. Not only that, when visiting Huynh Thuy Le ancient house, besides familiar activities such as leisurely exploring, checking in with hundred-year-old objects and nooks or enjoying tea and jam, there are also services that are put into operation for the first time. There will be a screening of the famous movie The Lover and costume rental right at the house. Or as expected, on weekends, amateur music and Southern folk cake buffet will be served.
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