The breath of time in its old-world charm.

In Phuong Do village, Phu Binh commune, amidst the newly built, modern multi-story houses, many old houses still stand, bearing traces of a bygone era. These houses not only provide shelter from the rain and sun but also preserve the cultural essence and lifestyle of the people of Northern Vietnam in the past.

The old house of Mr. Nguyen Khac Nghien's family has been preserved almost intact to this day.

Touching the past

The ancient house of Mr. Nguyen Khac Nghien, 78 years old, in Doan Ket 3 hamlet, is a vivid testament to love and respect for the past. Built in 1939 in the traditional three-bay, stacked-beam style – a characteristic ancient wooden architectural structure – the house was entirely handcrafted using ironwood, stone, and mahogany. It is one of the oldest houses in Phuong Do village still standing today.

Stepping through the archway, a traditional Northern Vietnamese architectural style, we felt as if we had entered a private space, with a spacious courtyard shaded by trees. The garden was filled with lush fruit trees and ornamental plants, emitting a gentle fragrance of flowers and foliage, beautifying the space while evoking the close-to-nature lifestyle of our ancestors.

In the courtyard, the old bricks bear the marks of time. Each step seems to touch upon memories, leading into the main house, which sits majestically within.

Inside the house, every detail, from the main door and wooden walls to the columns and beams, is meticulously hand-carved. The floral, cloud, and dragon motifs, though faded with time, still evoke a sense of exquisite beauty and serve as a reminder of the skill and meticulousness of the master carpenters of Phuong Do village.

In the center of the house, a solemn altar and a gilded horizontal plaque radiate a warm light. The faint scent of incense permeates the house, reminding us of filial piety and the Vietnamese tradition of remembering our roots.

Mr. Nghiên recounted: "This house was built during my grandfather's time, and I am the third generation. To this day, the details inside the house have been preserved intact by the family."

As we looked around the house, our first impression was one of tranquility and intimacy. The floor tiles were worn and weathered by time. On the shelves, antique tableware was carefully arranged, along with books written in Chinese and Vietnamese scripts. Each item evoked memories of the lives of previous generations.

The bright red tiled roof, the dark brown ironwood beams, and the intricately carved pillars and rafters still clearly show a sense of antiquity and solemnity. Light filters through the windows, illuminating each wood grain, highlighting the house's antique beauty.

Preserve for future generations.

Mr. Nguyen Khac Nghien's house still contains many antique items that are hundreds of years old.

Mr. Nghien shared: "Both the house and the furniture inside have been collected and preserved over many generations. Therefore, in 2010, someone offered nearly 3 billion VND for it, and many others offered higher prices afterward, but I didn't sell. I wanted to keep my family home and always told my children and grandchildren to try their best to preserve it until it's no longer possible to repair it."

In their home, which has stood for nearly nine decades, Mr. Nghiên's family still maintains the customs and traditions of their ancestors. From ancestor worship and furniture arrangement to family mealtime habits, everything has been passed down through generations and meticulously preserved. Every day, Mrs. Trần Thị Kim, his wife, still cooks meals with the rich flavors of the past, gathering with her children and grandchildren around the table to chat and share stories.

Mr. Nghien's son, Nguyen Khac Hien, said: "Despite being busy, we still love coming back to this house. It's not just a place to live, but also a place to reconnect with our roots, to feel connected to tradition."

Mr. Nghiên's family's old house is a vibrant slice of Northern Vietnamese village culture. It not only preserves architecture and artifacts but also reflects the way of life, the way of thinking, and the feelings of people towards the past. Amidst the modern pace of life, where new houses spring up everywhere, the three-room house with its stacked beams still stands strong, a testament to time. Old stories still resonate in every wooden beam, every brick, every simple way of life.

Besides preserving the old house, Mr. Nghiên also contributed many tools used in Vietnamese rice cultivation to the provincial museum. This is how he both preserves memories and connects the past with the present, so that young people can better understand the working life and daily activities of their ancestors.

Preserving a nearly century-old house is not just about preserving its physical form, but also about preserving its soul, way of life, and memories. Through the perseverance of Mr. Nghien's family, we see the value of tradition, the bond between generations, and the enduring vitality of national culture. And thanks to people like Mr. Nguyen Khac Nghien, traditional values ​​will continue to exist, strong and enduring, extending from the past to the future.

Source: https://baothainguyen.vn/van-hoa/202512/hoi-tho-thoi-gian-trong-net-xua-55e4cdd/