“I heard a tale that the main doors took three years to complete.” That’s the whisper I caught about nh\u00e0 c\u1ed5 b\u00ean kia c\u1ea7u. It stands not far from where we are. This ancient house whispers stories of a rich family in old Saigon. It is located at the foot of a short slope in T\u0103ng Nh\u01a1n Ph\u00fa A Ward. This hundred-year-old house stands out. It occupies a square plot of land about 4000 square meters.
Let me introduce you to nh\u00e0 c\u1ed5 b\u00ean kia c\u1ea7u. It was built by Mr. Nguyen Van Giac between 1875 and 1970. Mr. Nguyen Minh Luan is Giac’s grandson. He now manages this old house.
Mr. Luan said his grandfather designed it himself. He invited a group of craftsmen from Hue to build it. The house was built in the style of Hue’s traditional houses. It took several years. The main doors remained incomplete for three years. To this day, the reason remains a mystery.
The house covers about 500 square meters. It has three main sections and two wings. This is typical of Hue’s traditional architectural style. In front of the house stands a wall. It features a system of columns and arched roofs. The wall and columns boast European-style decorations. They feature beautiful raised patterns. Behind this wall, the house is built of precious wood.
During construction, carpenters used no nails. Instead, they used mortise techniques. This connected the rafter and column system and wooden panels. Above the main door is a wooden panel. It is carved with delicate patterns. These decorations allow light into the house. The rafters are carved with animals. Soft beautiful patterns enhance them.
Inside the house are round columns made of precious wood. Despite being over a hundred years old these pillars show no signs of decay. They become shinier over time. The house is divided by a carved wooden partition. It is inlaid with sparkling mother-of-pearl. The Luan family placed altars for Buddha and Mr. Giac in front of the partition. Behind the partition is an altar to Mr. Giac’s wife.
The entire house is paved with red hexagonal tiles. Experts say this type of tile is rare in other old houses in Ho Chi Minh City.
Behind the house is another building. It’s called the rear house. A sky well separates it from the front house. It once grew many precious flowers. In the past, only men lived in the front house. Women and servants only lived in the rear house. The rear house is now degraded. It serves as a storage warehouse.
Mr. Luan’s uncle used to care for nh\u00e0 c\u1ed5 b\u00ean kia c\u1ea7u. In 1975, the family assigned Mr. Luan to preserve the house. He felt pressured. The house was too large. It showed signs of deterioration. A large sum of money was needed for renovation.
Mr. Dang Van Quang is the head of the local neighborhood. He said the area was once called T\u0103ng Nh\u01a1n Ph\u00fa village. It means “village of rich people”. Mr. Nguyen Van Giac was one of the richest men. Villagers called him “Huyen Giac”.
Mr. Quang often played near Mr. Giac’s house as a child. His impression of the house is deep. He especially liked the yard between the front and rear houses. It had a rock garden a fish pond and many flowers.
Mr. Quang remembers Mr. Giac as a strong man in his youth. He often wore a white bà ba shirt. His hair was silver. He stood dignified on the porch.
Nh\u00e0 c\u1ed5 b\u00ean kia c\u1ea7u was once considered one of the most beautiful old houses in Thu Duc City. Today the land around it is flooded. Weeds grow lushly.
After many years, plants cover three sides of the house. The large yard in front is also submerged. Walking around is impossible.
Despite this, the beauty of nh\u00e0 c\u1ed5 b\u00ean kia c\u1ea7u stands out. Visitors feel both fascinated and regretful when visiting.