Huynh Thuy Le ancient house

Huynh Thuy Le Ancient House is the former home of Mr. Huynh Thuy Le, the protagonist of the novel The Lover. This house is considered one of the most unique architectural works in Southern Vietnam, combining Eastern and Western design elements. It is also famous for its connection to a real-life romance between the young French writer Marguerite Duras and the wealthy Chinese-Vietnamese man Huynh Thuy Le in the early 1900s. The house gained international recognition when Duras’ autobiography was adapted into the film L’Amant in 1991.

The house originally belonged to Mr. Huynh Cam Thuan, the richest Chinese businessman in Sa Dec at that time, and was later inherited by his youngest son, Huynh Thuy Le. It is located at 255A Nguyen Hue Street, Ward 2, Sa Dec City,Dong Thap Province, Vietnam. In 1929, by chance, Huynh Thuy Le met Marguerite Duras on the My Thuan ferry. They lived together for 18 months without his father’s consent. After Duras returned to France, Le married a Vietnamese woman. Many years later, he went to France to see his former lover but was refused. Duras later wrote The Lover, which won the prestigious Goncourt Prize and was translated into 43 languages. Their story remains a timeless tale of a love without borders.

The house itself is a unique blend of Eastern and Western architecture. The roof is shaped like a boat, while the arched doors feature Roman-style carvings of 17th-century flowers, plants, and birds. The front of the house, ceilings, and window frames show Renaissance-style reliefs. Eastern influences appear in detailed carvings and gold-painted motifs of birds, fruit trees, and flowers such as bamboo, apricot, daisies, and peaches. Many building materials, including bricks and glass, were imported from France. Wooden doors, cabinets, beds, and altars are intricately carved, and household items like wine cabinets, shelves, lamps, and phonographs are still preserved today.

Despite the passage of time, the house remains well-preserved and stands as a symbol of a unique architectural heritage. It attracts foreign tourists who wish to experience the atmosphere of this brief yet unforgettable love story.

Visitors can include Huynh Thuy Le Ancient House on a Mekong Delta tour or a customized Southern Vietnam tour alongside other famous destinations such as Can Tho, Cai Rang floating market, Ben Tre…

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