Admire the house with many antiques in Dong Thap

Satisfy your passion

Coming from a farmer background, Mr. Tuan has a passion for antiques. Because of this, he motivated him to search and buy many unique and strange items.

For example, Mr. Tuan's Southern ancient house is located at number 17, cluster 2, Lai Vung town (Dong Thap) built according to the "East meets West" architecture. The house has three rooms and two wings; area over 200m2.

According to Mr. Tuan, this ancient house is a Southern-style house that was restored a few years ago with precious woods, at a cost of about 2-3 billion VND.

"To have the current Southern-style house, I had to buy three other ancient houses and then select and reuse the columns, trusses, tiled roofs... that were still usable. 

After that, I hired many workers who specialize in restoring ancient houses in Tien Giang and Bac Lieu provinces to do the construction," Mr. Tuan added.

Also according to Mr. Tuan, among the three ancient houses he bought, there was one house in Tien Giang province that he had to work very hard to own. After a long period of persuasion, the homeowner had to hold a family meeting to discuss the sale. Even though it is 130 years old, the house has not been damaged much over time.

The special thing is that the tureens are always carved into the body of the column, not hung like many other ancient Southern houses where the tureen is glued to the column.

Visiting Mr. Tuan's house, the reporter was surprised when inside there were many large and small antique items collected by him from inside and outside the province such as: tables, chairs, altar cabinets, beds, ornamental pots, and pairs of buds and vases. red copper, a pair of cranes standing on a bronze turtle shell, a teacup set shaped like a snail shell, a hanging lamp from the French colonial period, a Buddha statue, a lock, an iron, an ancient sword...

According to the homeowner, there are three altar cabinets in the house, symbolizing the three regions: North - Central - South.

But my favorite is the one placed in the middle of the house. This altar cabinet is about 140 years old, very sophisticated and meticulously made with many patterns. Someone asked to buy it back for 500 million VND, but Mr. Tuan has not sold it yet. 

Mr. Tuan is also the owner of a pair of red bronze vases weighing over 200kg (more than 100kg/piece) and a pair of bronze cranes.

“More than 20 years ago, I went to a friend's house and saw a pair of tureens and a bed that the homeowner no longer used. I bought it and from there, I was passionate about antiques and spent time and money hunting for antiques," Mr. Tuan said.

In general, Mr. Tuan's collection of antiques is mainly items used by the wealthy class in the past. Among the items that Mr. Tuan owns, there are many items that are hundreds of years old and have very high value.

The most prominent and unique is the stone bed, making the person lying on it feel warm in the cold season and cool in the hot season.

The bed is about 2,5 meters long and 2 meters wide, made from wood, intricately carved, completely inlaid with conch and the bed surface has 8 marble panels.

The ceiling of the bed is made from glossy black wooden slats that adults can hang on without breaking.

Mr. Tuan said: "After nearly 5 years of "tamarind cultivation", in 2012, I was able to buy this precious bed in Tay Ninh province for a price of 1,8 billion VND at that time. Currently, the value of the bed has increased but I have no intention of changing its owner."

Hoping to do tourism

Mr. Nguyen Dinh Tuan's passion for antiques gradually "spread" to his twin brother, Mr. Nguyen Dinh Kiet (50 years old, living in Lai Vung town, Lai Vung district, Dong Thap province).

Mr. Kiet said: "Seeing Mr. Tuan play with antiques, I gradually fell in love with it. The two brothers often pay attention and look to buy antiques from near and far. Sometimes, people with a lot of money cannot buy the antique they like.

The ancient Southern house with antiques inside is a place to worship our grandparents and ancestors.

Old items help us reminisce about the past. Children and grandchildren know more about the nation's history and traditions. In the coming time, we will continue to display some long-lasting items such as: cups, plates, kettles, tea sets...".

Due to their special love for antiques, for Mr. Tuan and Mr. Kiet, the items they have collected are priceless and have no intention of reselling. Perhaps only those who are truly passionate about antiques can understand the willingness to spend heavily to own an item they like.

Visiting Mr. Tuan's old house, Ms. Nguyen Bich Lieu (40 years old, living in Lai Vung district, Dong Thap province) seemed very interested: "I live nearby and often visit Mr. Tuan's old house." for fun. There are many unique and strange antiques here that I have never seen before."

“My favorite is the bunk bed because looking at the bed reminds me of the saying "if one wife has a bunk bed" to remind each other about the morality of husband and wife.

Therefore, when I came here to visit, I saw with my own eyes the objects that people used many years ago," Mr. Tran Van Duong (45 years old, living in Lap Vo district, Dong Thap province) shared.

Mr. Tuan said: "I am completing some necessary items to open this place as a tourist destination. The goal is for many people who have the same passion for antiques as me to come here to visit and learn."

"Through research, local authorities also found that Mr. Tuan's house is currently displaying many rare antiques. Encouraged Mr. Tuan to develop into a tourist destination to create a diversity of existing tourism products in Lai Vung district.

Therefore, when Mr. Tuan needs support, the district is ready to help shape Mr. Tuan's location to develop a suitable type of tourism to meet the sightseeing and learning needs of tourists every time. have a chance to visit," Mr. Nguyen Huu Hien - Vice Chairman of Lai Vung District People's Committee (Dong Thap) informed.

Some pictures of the old house of Mr. Nguyen Dinh Tuan (50 years old, living in cluster 2, Lai Vung town, Lai Vung district, Dong Thap province):