The Binh Thuy ancient house in Can Tho was built by the Duong family in 1870 and now is under the management of the 5th generation of this family. The entire ancient house is the quintessence of Southern Vietnam’s culture combined with Western and Southeast Asian architectural styles, making it an impressive “masterpiece” in the heart of Can Tho city.
I - Where is the Binh Thuy ancient house located?
Source: canthotourism
The old house is currently located at No.144 Bui Huu Nghia street, Binh Thuy ward, Binh Thuy district - about 6km from Can Tho city center. The way from the city center to the ancient house is very straightforward and all the routes have been updated completely on Google Map. The campus inside the house features a parking lot only for motorbikes.
Notes when visiting Binh Thuy ancient house:
- Entrance fee: 15,000 VND / person ($0.65)
- Ticket is issued by the owner of the house because it belongs to the private legacy of the Duong family
- There is no ticket box at the gate of the ancient house like in other tourist spots. You put money in the charity box in the main compartment of the house or give money to the house’s owner.
- Opening hours: 8am - 4pm
- Contact: +84 292 3841 127
II - Unique architecture of Binh Thuy ancient house in Can Tho
1 - Binh Thuy old house’s exterior
Source: canthotourism
The ancient house is set in an area of around 6,000m2 with the facade overlooking the Westeast. After walking through the iron gate like a welcome one meticulously decorated with relatively sophisticated patterns, a small auxiliary gate characterized by ancient Asian architecture with a wooden frame and tiled roof under which is a signboard with the words: Phuoc An Hieu - clan ancestor house of the Duong family. In front of the Binh Thuy ancient house are many well-trimmed bonsai, ornamental plants and flowers, especially the orchards, therefore, the house is also called “Binh Thuy orchard garden”. The courtyard features a miniature rockery landscape pond, which creates harmony in terms of the Feng-Shui element for the entire campus. The foundation of the Binh Thuy old house is about 1m high compared to the yard, connecting with the yard by 4 stairs. Two arc-shaped ones lead you to the main compartments and the rest leads to the two wings of the house.
2 - Binh Thuy ancient house’s main compartment
Source: canthotourism
Binh Thuy old house is typical of the western architecture, clearly reflected through columns with exquisite decorative motifs of flowers, bunches of grapes, squirrels, etc., which are bold in Greek and Ancient Rome architecture.The system of moss green wooden shutter windows is incredibly popular in the French constructions. The lobby railing is made of cast iron with very sophisticated floral details. After coming into the house, you see the spacious space designed in Western European style with the false ceiling meticulously decorated with sophisticated motifs and the decorative ancient hanging lamps dating back a hundred years ago. Binh Thuy ancient house features five compartments aiming at welcoming guests on important occasions. Walking further into the house is another space including 5 compartments, of which 3 ones in the middle are worship space with altars, horizontal lacquered boards, etc. made of precious wood. The rows of columns are elaborately carved with familiar images in Vietnamese culture and the South’s such as apricot, orchid, bamboo, lotus, bird, and peacock, etc. Plenty of rare, ancient furniture has been well preserved in Binh Thuy old house, namely incense burner bows, tables, chairs, cabinets, particularly the wooden salon specially designed in the style of LOUIS XV. The washbasin (lavabo) made of white glazed porcelain, decorated with blue flowers is also a highlight of Binh Thuy ancient house. Many pictures relating to the films which were shot right in the campus of the ancient house are hung on the wall such as Chan troi noi ay, Con nha ngheo, Nguoi dep Tay Do, and the famous film of “Nguoi tinh” (the lover) by French director Jean Jacques Annaud, etc.
Notes:
- Take off your shoes before stepping into the house.
- Shooting and photographing in the main compartments are limited, especially the sacred space.
- Don’t touch artifacts.
III - Other tourist spots near Binh Thuy ancient house
It usually takes you around 45-60 minutes to discover the old house. After that, it is highly recommended for you to pay a visit to two nearby sites: Binh Thuy village communal house and Con Son tourist site.
1 - Binh Thuy communal house
Located near Binh Thuy old house is a famous architectural work - Binh Thuy communal house, also known as Long Tuyen Co Mieu. Located on a campus of 4,000m2 in a verdant green garden, the communal house was constructed in 1844 under the reign of the Nguyen Dynasty. The architecture of the communal house is hugely influenced by that at the beginning of the 20th century, depicted through the typical Southern houses, combined with French architecture with arches, pillars, shutters and Chinese architecture with patterns and decorative motifs. The main structure of Binh Thuy communal house is a wooden frame, combined with brick walls and Yin-Yang tiled roofs. The pillars inside the house are attached with red couplets and elaborately carved with decorative patterns.
The communal house near Binh Thuy ancient house - Source: Phi Nguyen
In general, the building has unique architecture, bold tradition and harmony with the surrounding landscape. The uniqueness of the communal house is also expressed by many other auxiliary architectural works, including 4 shrines worshiping 4 Gods: the God of Agriculture, the God of Tiger, the God of Forest and the God of “creating” canals (Khai kenh), which makes the difference between Binh Thuy communal house with the rest.
Binh Thuy communal house not only plays a crucial role in the spiritual lives of locals but also has huge architectural and historical values, therefore, it was recognized by the Ministry of Culture, Sport and Tourism as the National Architectural - Artistic Relic on November 29, 1853.
- Address: Binh Thuy ward, Binh Thuy district, Can Tho city, about 700m from Binh Thuy ancient house
2 - Con Son tourist site
Another tourist spot near Binh Thuy old house is Con Son islet tourist site. Considered a pearl in the mouth of a dragon, it is one of the most appealing ecotourism destinations because of its serene setting and rustic scenery. You have a chance to visit the floating fish farm with a variety of fishes such as feather-back fish, carp, and catfish, especially the rare one like Fire eel, Redtail catfish, Tigerfish, and Red snapper, etc.
Con Son islet near Binh Thuy ancient house - Source: baocantho
The most fascinating part is enjoying the extraordinary “performance” of “flying snakehead fish”, which causes excitement among kids. Then, you take a walk to the verdant fruit orchard, listen to the sharing of the locals about their daily lives, learn about the agriculture in the Mekong Delta and specially taste some sweet, delicious ones. In addition, you have an opportunity to learn how to make Vietnamese traditional cakes and make it by yourself under the instruction of the locals.
You can find a number of tour agencies operating Binh Thuy ancient house - Con Son tourist site. Here are some suggestions:
Mekong Smile Tour
- Duration: 5 hours
- Pickup/ Dropoff: Hotels in Can Tho city center
- Tour price: $39/pax
- Address: No.10 Hai Ba Trung street, Tan An ward, Ninh Kieu district, Can Tho city
- Hotline: +84 907 002 772
Hieu’s tour (motorbike tour)
- Duration: Half Day
- Pickup/ Dropoff: Hotels in Can Tho city center
- Tour price: $79/pax
- Address: No.27A Le Thanh Ton street, Tan An ward, Ninh Kieu district, Can Tho city
- Hotline: +84 939 419 858
Binh Thuy ancient house in Can Tho city with uniquely impressive architecture and its historical values has been well preserved and has become a popular tourist spot in Can Tho city. If you are on the way to Can Tho city - the capital of the Mekong Delta in Vietnam, there are many should-not-miss destinations to make your trip fulfilling and memorable, typically Ninh Kieu boat wharf, Ong Pagoda, Cai Rang floating market,...
— Ha Bich
