Centuries-old houses in Kim Lien commune

Amidst the changing pace of life in the new rural villages, in Kim Lien commune, there are still centuries-old wooden houses preserved almost intact. Not only are these houses home to many generations, but they also retain the cultural essence of Nghe An province, reflecting the beauty of traditional architecture in North Central Vietnam.

Following in the footsteps of the keeper of the soul of the old house.

On the small village road winding around the lotus ponds in Hoang Tru hamlet, amidst the modern, well-built houses springing up in line with the development of the new rural areas, the old wooden house of Mr. Vuong Hoang Dong's family stands out with its unique, tranquil charm.

The wooden house of Mr. Vuong Hoang Dong's family in Hoang Tru hamlet, Kim Lien commune. Photo: Dinh Tuyen

The dark red tiled roof, weathered by time, nestles beneath the palm trees, and the neatly trimmed green tea bushes in front of the yard give anyone who steps inside the feeling of having just stepped back in time.

Mr. Dong stood waiting for customers on the porch, gently stroking the wooden door, which had turned a glossy brown with age. He explained that his grandparents had built the house in 1936, taking almost a year to complete.

Stepping through the high threshold, the interior space unfolds, rustic yet brimming with memories. The large, sturdy wooden pillars remain strong after nearly 90 years, the beams intricately carved with exquisite patterns. Above, the time-worn horizontal plaques and couplets still retain their original calligraphy.

The wooden door has turned a glossy brown with the passage of time. Photo: Dinh Tuyen

In the light filtering through the wooden doors, Mr. Dong recounted how the house had been repaired many times to prevent deterioration, but the family always tried to preserve its original essence. From the old roof tiles to the doors and walls, everything was carefully preserved.

"Every time we renovate the house, the whole family has to discuss it very carefully. We try to preserve whatever we can. This is not just a house, but also a spiritual asset for our children and grandchildren in the future," Mr. Dong said.

For many years, the house has become a familiar stop for tourists whenever they visit President Ho Chi Minh's hometown. Numerous folk art troupes have also chosen this place to perform and film because of the original beauty of its historical setting.

The time-worn, fish-scale-patterned roof tiles adorn the old house. Photo: Dinh Tuyen

At midday, the sun outside grew increasingly intense, but inside the house remained pleasantly cool. In the central room sat a solemn ancestral altar, flanked by long wooden benches polished by time. The scent of old wood, incense smoke, and the fragrance of lotus flowers from the pond blended together, creating a unique atmosphere reminiscent of traditional Vietnamese houses.

Young Vuong Hoang Quyen, a member of the family, poured a cup of green tea while recounting the occasions when all the children and grandchildren returned to reunite under the old roof. For Quyen, the house is not just a place to live, but also a place that preserves childhood memories and connects generations within the extended family.

A green wall made of neatly trimmed and clean tea plants. Photo: Dinh Tuyen

These "witnesses" have witnessed the passage of time.

Leaving Mr. Dong's house, we continued on to Mr. Vuong Duy Nghi's house, one of the oldest houses in Kim Lien commune, built in 1925. Even after more than a century, it still retains almost its original appearance.

Mr. Vuong Duy Nghi slowly read each line of the Chinese couplet, its color faded by time. Photo: Dinh Tuyen

According to Mr. Nghi, the Hoang Tru hamlet alone still has five ancient houses preserved by the local people. Each house tells a unique story about family traditions, lifestyles, and memories of many generations of people from President Ho Chi Minh's hometown.

Unlike the grandeur of many modern houses, Mr. Nghi's house, with its moss-covered tiled roof, dark wooden walls weathered by time, and ancient Chinese characters still carved on the gables and front door, creates an atmosphere imbued with a thick layer of memories.

The interior of Mr. Vuong Duy Nghi's house in Hoang Tru hamlet, Kim Lien commune. Photo: Dinh Tuyen

Mr. Nghi, leaning on his cane, led the visitors slowly through each room. Every pillar, every wooden bed, every writing desk was connected to a life story.

“Building houses was extremely difficult in the old days. This is the house my grandfather and his family built. The wood had to be carefully selected from the forest and transported here by boat along the river. The builders also had to be skilled craftsmen from the region,” he recounted.

His voice was slow but warm. Each word seemed to bring a whole realm of old memories to life before the listener's eyes.

Stopping beside the old couplet hanging on the house pillar, Mr. Nghi slowly read: "Establishing merits, carving memories, and seeking respect." According to him, those words remind descendants to appreciate the efforts of those who built the house and preserved family traditions through generations.

The house's sturdy column and beam system remains intact after all these years. Photo: Dinh Tuyen

In Kim Lien commune today, there are not many old houses like these left. But it is precisely their quiet presence that creates a unique depth for this rural area of ​​Nghe An province.

According to Mr. Le Van Hop, Vice Chairman of the Kim Lien Commune People's Committee, the ancient houses not only have architectural value but also reflect the lifestyle, customs, and spiritual life of the people of the past. From the arrangement of the ancestral altar and the reception area to the carved patterns, everything reflects the Vietnamese people's respect for family and ancestors.

Mr. and Mrs. Vuong Hoang Dong stand beside their traditional wooden house in Hoang Tru hamlet, Kim Lien commune, which preserves many traditional values. Photo: Dinh Tuyen

In recent years, many tourists visiting President Ho Chi Minh's hometown not only want to see historical sites but also enjoy experiencing and feeling the local culture. The lotus ponds, ancient houses, and peaceful, rustic village atmosphere are becoming a unique attraction of Kim Lien commune.

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Source: https://baonghean.vn/nhung-nep-nha-tram-tuoi-o-xa-kim-lien-10336852.html