In places famous for carpentry such as Cao Da (Nhan My commune, Ly Nhan district, Ha Nam province), the house is where people entrust their aspirations and ambitions and most clearly demonstrates the craftsman's skill level.
Through the vicissitudes of time, the remaining ancient houses in Cao Da have many stories worth telling due to the impact of nature, living conditions and people... With the cultural values that have been passed down, the preservation of ancient houses in Cao Da is really necessary.
Each old house, a destiny
More than 10 years ago, when following some staff of Ha Nam Museum to visit ancient architectural works in Nhan My commune, we had the opportunity to visit Mr. Tran Van That's house.
The old house located along Highway 38 was one of more than two dozen old houses preserved at that time, which were about a hundred years old. The previous owner of the house was a famous carpenter in Cao Da.
Mr. That, who was over 80 years old at the time, said that the house was built exactly the year he was born. Like a person's fate, the wooden house with the typical folk architectural style of the ancient houses in the Red River Delta has gone through unpredictable events. It exists with the ups and downs of the owner's life.
Mr. That said: “Actually, this house was built on another land. I tried to protect it when the government planned to relocate people to build a road.”
Many antique lovers came to negotiate to buy all the wooden parts of the house. They spared no money to be able to buy it. But I did not sell and tried to protect it until the family found a new land.
Because the house is the only thing that his father, the talented carpenter Cao Da, left to his son with his thoughts about his career and future life. Along with it are some antique objects, such as: plates, bowls, cabinets, beds...
The ancient house of Mr. Tran Quang Cham's family in Cao Da village, Nhan My commune, Ly Nhan district (Ha Nam province) is currently the most beautiful ancient house carefully preserved by its owner. Photo: Giang Nam
Although, the ancient houses located close to the road bring many good feelings to people when visiting Cao Da carpentry village.
But it was also a hassle for the owner every time he received guests. To get into this house at that time, we had to ask for help from the local authorities.
Talking to the owner of the old house, I found out why there was such hesitation. It was a problem of antique theft from families who took advantage of the visit to appropriate it.
One late afternoon in early April 2024, we returned to Cao Da to visit the house of Mr. Tran Quang Cham's family.
The house is truly unique with its entire structure and carved architecture. It was built over a hundred years ago, and still retains almost intact the horizontal lacquered boards, parallel sentences, scrolls and ancient altars, which have profound cultural value.
Mr. Cham said that the people who built this house were Mr. Tran Cong Hao and Mrs. Vu Thi Dang (Mr. Cham's grandparents).
Mr. Hao was a carpenter in the village in the past, and Ms. Dang was a Hue girl. “Living in a well-off family, the requirements for the house were different from many other households. Just looking at the details in the house as well as the way the furniture was arranged was enough to see the style and aesthetics of my grandparents” – Mr. Cham proudly said.
Born and raised in the ancient capital, Mrs. Vu Thi Dang brought the imperial style to her husband's house. Together with Mr. Tran Van Hao, she built a house that had both rustic architecture and the noble style of the middle class in feudal times.
When ancient houses are considered heritage that needs to be preserved
In Nhan My, the old houses that are still preserved today are mainly private houses. Therefore, the architecture and style of these houses are quite close and simple to the lives of ordinary people.
However, unlike other places, the ancient houses here have their own artistic values in architecture and construction. Each house is not only a place for families to live, but also a place to express the life philosophy and professional creativity of Cao Da carpenters.
Most of the old houses are five-room wooden houses, built before 1942-1943. The architectural scale is not grand, but it is quite condensed in people's minds because of the thinking ability and aesthetic sense of people in building traditional wooden houses. Ha Nam is a low-lying area with humid weather, so in people's minds when building houses, they often choose high and dry land.
Materials used to build houses are also precious woods, durable over time and able to withstand harsh weather conditions, such as: ironwood, teak, and yellow heart wood...
The pillars are supported by square or round stones to prevent the base of the pillars from rotting and termites. The roof tiles of these houses are yin-yang tiles or slate tiles. In front of the house, blinds are hung or placed with bamboo panels, creating a cool atmosphere in the house. Depending on the age of the homeowner, the direction of the house is decided.
Cao Da carpenters are also quite knowledgeable about feng shui, so they choose the house direction that suits the weather, climate and their age.
Many houses are built facing south because it is the direction of vitality, the direction of prosperity, the direction for cool south wind in summer. The east is the direction of the gods, where the dawn shines every morning, making the air in the house clean and clear…
Interior of the ancient house of Mr. Tran Quang Cham's family, Nhan My commune, Ly Nhan district (Ha Nam province). Photo: Chu Nam
Understanding his father's carpentry very well, Mr. Tran Quang Cham explained in detail the architectural significance of each style of ancient house here.
It seems that all houses still have the original system of ironwood panel doors. The threshold is 40cm high, which helps to keep the house frame more stable and clearly distinguishes the space inside and outside the house.
The ancients made this type of door with the idea that anyone entering the house would have to stop, bend down, and step through.
That is the moment when people calm down and humble themselves before the ancestors worshiped in the middle room. When stopping to bow and walk past, it is also the moment when people need to understand the family traditions and customs of this family. That is why there is a saying: When in Rome, do as the Romans do…
Although the door is made of ironwood, the purpose of the ancients was quite simple. Most homeowners did not put the luxury of this type of wood first, but simply thought that using ironwood for durability and sturdiness.
The design of the panel door allows the homeowner to flexibly use the door as a seat when there is a big event. Just remove the doors and place them on the wooden frame to create long wooden seats for many people to sit on. The windows are designed in the style of sliding doors or also known as folding doors.
Preserving ancient houses in Cao Da in particular and Nhan My commune (Ly Nhan district, Ha Nam province) in general is a matter that needs attention from local authorities.
Because, preserving ancient houses will contribute to helping Ly Nhan develop sustainable rural tourism , Nhan My will become a convenient connection point with many other cultural tourist areas and destinations, such as Nam Cao Writer Memorial Area, Tran Thuong Temple, Ba Vu Temple and typical traditional craft villages.
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