Society

The beauty of old houses in the scholarly countryside of Nghe An province.

Huy Thu • October 21, 2024 21:28

Trung Can village, Trung Phuc Cuong commune (Nam Dan district) is not only a famous rural area with a tradition of academic excellence and a beautiful sculpted village communal house, but it also preserves many unique ancient houses.

bna_1(5).jpg — Trung Can village, situated on the banks of the Lam River, is an ancient village with a rich history and culture, particularly a tradition of scholarship, boasting famous figures such as Doctor Tong Tat Thang, Duke Nguyen Nhan My, Doctor Nguyen Trong Thuong, Nguyen Trong Duong, and Nguyen Trong Duong... Currently, the old Trung Can village still preserves many ancient relics such as communal houses, temples, pagodas, and ancestral halls... In addition, there is a system of old houses that are being preserved and used by the local people. Photo: Huy Thu

bna_2(3).jpg — Similar to the southern region, the old houses in Trung Can village typically have 3-5 bays, built in the traditional style with a low wooden frame, tiled roof, and wooden walls... Currently, most of the old houses, some over 100 years old, have been renovated and restored by the locals, such as re-tiling, raising the foundation, and repainting the wooden frame... Photo: Huy Thu

bna_3..jpg — Only a few old houses remain in their original condition, such as the house of Mrs. Nguyen Thi Thuc, built at the same time as the Yen Xuan railway bridge across the Lam River during the French colonial period. The house has three bays and two gables, made of ironwood, roofed with scale tiles, and features wooden doors with distinctive ridge eaves. Photo: Huy Thu.

bna_4(2).jpg — During the renovation and restoration process, the old houses in Trung Can often retain their original wooden frame structures. Those with better financial means often raise the foundations, re-lay tiles, and repaint the wooden parts, making the old houses look more spacious and attractive. Photo: Huy Thu

bna_5(2).jpg — Inside the old houses, the original layout often involved using wooden partitions to separate the inner, outer, and inner rooms for convenience. During renovations, some houses had their partitions removed to create a more open and airy space. Photo: Huy Thu

bna_6(2).jpg — A distinctive feature of the traditional house architecture in Trung Can is that the ancestral altar can be designed in the upper part of the outer room. This not only makes the place of worship more solemn but also makes the family living space more spacious, saving area, especially in the outer room. Photo: Huy Thu

bna_7(2).jpg — The front of old houses often features hinged wooden doors with main and side doors, or sliding doors that open and close on the ground. To suit modern living, some houses have completely new door designs. In the photo: Sliding doors opening and closing on the ground of a five-bay old house in Trung Can. Photo: Huy Thu.

bna_8(1).jpg — The old houses being preserved in Trung Can village are mainly made of ironwood. The ceilings are designed to suit each room. In the central room, the ceiling is usually extended to the tiled roof to create an open space for the living room. The innermost room, including the outermost room, may have a low ceiling with a door, both to keep out dust and to store belongings. For families living outside the Lam River dike, the ceiling also serves as a living space during floods. Photo: Huy Thu

bna_9(1).jpg — The old houses in Trung Can village, currently used as residences by the locals, have been passed down through generations. Mr. Mai Trong Thu (82 years old) said: "The house my family lives in was built by my grandfather in 1917, and five generations have lived there to date. It has three bays and two gables, a lim wood frame, a burnt-smelling rafters, and a ceiling made of sandalwood and jasmine. Initially, the house had traditional wooden doors, but later we installed hinged doors and raised the foundation by more than 1.6 meters. Many people have inquired about buying the house, but my family refuses to sell. We consider this house a heritage left by our ancestors that needs to be preserved for future generations," Mr. Thu shared. (Photo: Huy Thu)

bna_10(1).jpg — Mrs. Thai Thi Soa (78 years old), wife of Mr. Mai Trong Thu, said: Along with preserving the ancient house, her family also keeps many artifacts from the past such as rosewood altars, antique vases... considering it a responsibility to their ancestors. Photo: Huy Thu

bna_11(1).jpg — In front of the old houses in Trung Can village, many households still preserve centuries-old water tanks with kneeling bases, items once used to store water for daily use. Mr. Mai Trong Hung, head of Trung Can hamlet, Trung Phuc Cuong commune, said: Currently, there are about 15 four-pillar houses in the hamlet that are over 100 years old. These ancient houses are being preserved and protected by the local people, contributing to the unique beauty of this scholarly rural area. Photo: Huy Thu

Huy Thu