[Photo] Visiting Trinh Tuong to find traces of ancient houses

Trinh Tuong is a mountainous, border commune in Bat Xat district. In the early 20th century, Trinh Tuong commune was under the rule of the French colonialists and their collaborators. Even today, traces of ancient structures, some over 100 years old, built during the French colonial period, can still be found here.

In Pho Moi 1 hamlet, Trinh Tuong commune, there are currently two solidly built watchtower-style houses constructed during the French colonial period in the early 20th century, before the August Revolution of 1945. According to local people, these watchtowers protected the living and working areas of French officers and soldiers, as well as the village headman of Trinh Tuong commune, named Se Co Tin.

The watchtowers are approximately 5 meters wide and 8 meters high, divided into two levels. Currently, one watchtower near Trinh Tuong market remains relatively intact, while the other has been damaged, with only one level remaining.

The outer layer of the base of the watchtower has peeled off, revealing the main building material of bricks and pebbles. Although the structure was not built with cement, it remains very sturdy after about a century.

The watchtower had many windows; however, when locals borrowed it as temporary shelter, they used bricks to seal the windows shut.

On the hilltop, about 1km from Trinh Tuong market, there are still traces of a French fort built in the early 20th century.

The site still retains traces of three rows of houses, one of which has walls that haven't collapsed yet, and is about 4 meters high.

Because the building has been abandoned for a long time, the roots of forest trees cling to the brick walls, creating an ancient appearance.

The remaining long stone wall and cobblestone embankment show that constructing this structure required a large amount of materials transported up the hill.

A section of the fort's wall remains.

The structures belonging to the French fort in Trinh Tuong have all been damaged and collapsed, leaving only ruins.

The ruins of the French watchtowers and forts in Trinh Tuong commune are structures of historical and cultural value that need to be considered for preservation and conservation to educate future generations about history.

Source: https://baolaocai.vn/anh-ve-trinh-tuong-tim-dau-xua-nha-co-post400260.html