Vietnamese

Society

Ngoc Son Ancient House - a masterpiece of sculpture in the ancient village along the Lam River.

Huy Thu • June 18, 2025 21:14

Having existed for a long time, the century-old houses in Ngoc Son commune, Thanh Chuong district, are being preserved quite intact by the local people. What is special is that the wooden frames of these houses are carved and decorated in a unique way.

In the ancient village of Ngoc Son, there is a house that has stood for 106 years. Five generations of a family have grown up and lived under this roof. Over the years, although many people have offered high prices, the owner has resolutely refused to sell. Photo: Huy Thu

It's not just a house, but a living "treasure," preserving the soul and sculptural masterpieces of a once-famous woodworking village. The story of this century-old "treasure" that remains unsold is the house of Mr. Le Dinh Vi's family in Thach Son hamlet. Mr. Vi recounts that the house was built 106 years ago by his grandfather, the scholar Tuynh. "This is a memento of our ancestors, of our whole family; we wouldn't sell it for any amount of money," Mr. Vi asserted. Photo: Huy Thu

What makes this house priceless is not only its five-generation history, but also its unique architectural details, where every piece of wood seems to "tell a story." From the eaves on either side, stylized dragons and floral motifs are carved with soft, graceful movements. The robust, openwork carvings bear the distinctive mark of Nguyen Dynasty sculpture. Photo: Huy Thu

Visiting the house, viewers will be overwhelmed by an exquisitely sculpted space: from the door frames to the rafters, traditional themes such as coiled dragons, bamboo transforming into dragons, tiger-faced figures, and phoenixes can be found everywhere… Photo: Huy Thu

Mr. Vi shared: "The density of carvings on the wooden frame is quite high, conveying many humanistic messages about life. Having been born and raised in this old house, even now I don't fully understand the meaning and symbolism of all the sculptural themes expressed by our ancestors." (Photo: Huy Thu)

The houses in Ngoc Son, including Mr. Vi's, are designed in the traditional four-pillar, three-bay style with four trusses and sixteen columns, roofed with yin-yang tiles. A unique feature is the central bay, which has two "hidden columns" (columns that don't touch the ground but are supported by a wooden base) to create an airy space. Photo: Huy Thu

Chính phần bệ đỡ của hai cột trốn này cũng được chạm trổ, trang trí vô cùng cầu kỳ, cho thấy tài hoa của những người thợ làng Ngọc Sơn xưa... Ảnh; Huy Thư — The bases of these two hidden columns are also intricately carved and decorated, showcasing the skill of the craftsmen of Ngoc Son village in the past. Photo: Huy Thu

It is known that in the past, Ngoc Son village enjoyed a prosperous life, with many people achieving academic success. Women and girls diligently cultivated rice and corn, and worked hard raising silkworms and weaving silk. Men and boys were skilled in plowing and plowing, and adept at carpentry. The village's carpentry was not only famous in the region and district, but also spread throughout the province: "The sawsmiths of Nghi Loc, the carpenters of Ngoc Son." Photo: Huy Thu

Besides Mr. Vi's house, Ngoc Son village also has other ancient houses with profound historical value. For example, the house where Mr. Nguyen Van Huy (94 years old) lives was built in 1876 during the reign of Emperor Tu Duc. The inscription in Chinese characters on the roof truss still clearly reads: "Built in the year of the Rat, completed in the spring." Photo: Huy Thu

Over a century later, to adapt to modern life, the houses have been re-tiled and re-roofed, but the wooden frame – the "soul" of the house – has been preserved almost intact. The central room remains the most sacred, used for the ancestral altar and receiving guests. The inner room is used for sleeping. The time-worn wooden doors of the "upper lattice, lower panel" style still open and close daily. Photo: Huy Thu

bna_11(2).jpg — Compared to many other places, the ancient houses of Ngoc Son possess a unique character. It's a blend of traditional folk architecture and exquisite court sculpture, showcasing the masterful craftsmanship of a renowned carpentry village on the banks of the Lam River. The stories of the families and the village craft have transformed these houses from mere inanimate objects into vibrant, fascinating, and proud living legacies. Photo: Huy Thu

Front view of the old house of Mr. Le Dinh Vi's family. Video: Huy Thu

Related articles

Read more

See more about Society

Featured in Nghe An Newspaper

Latest

Read more

Ngoc Son Ancient House - a masterpiece of sculpture in the ancient village along the Lam River.

Google News

POWERED BYFREECMS- A PRODUCT OFNEKO