A famous tourist attraction in Can Tho, Vietnam - Very unique - Church of the Duong family

During a business trip in Can Tho city on June, 2022, we directly visited Duong's Church... I was really moved by the majesty, glass and beauty of the place....

We invite you to explore this very unique Church of the Duong family...

Gate of Church of the Duong family

Amidst the vibrant streets of the land capital of Nine Dragons of Vietnam, there is a unique old house that has existed for nearly 150 years, through the ups and downs of history and the smoke and fire of war. It is the Church of the Duong family, also known as the ancient house of Orchid Garden, located on Bui Huu Nghia street, Binh Thuy ward, Binh Thuy district, Can Tho city.

Duong's church was built and completed from 1870 to 1911, located on a land plot of about 6,000m2, in the East-West direction. In front are roads and rivers to welcome the fresh climate and convenient in moving. Around the house is a garden of fruit trees and flowers all year round.

Portrait of Duong Chan Ky - The owner of the house

Very special is the famous film "Lover" by French director Jean Jacques Annaud. Souvenir photos and autographs of director J.J. Annaud while filming at Binh Thuy ancient house

The worship yard is quite large, planted with many kinds of ornamental flowers such as: areca flowers, pine trees, flowers of fortune, porcelain flowers of Thailand; in which cow's breast is a precious medicinal herb, including a Mexican cactus about 10m high. The main house has 4 stairs going up to 2 outer compartments and bow-shaped leading to the middle. Wooden doors, arched arches, square brick columns are embossed with beautiful patterns, grape leaves, iron rods made of cement.

This place has many doors leading to the interior, the space here is 352m2, divided into 3 parts: front house, middle house, back house. The house in front of 5 rooms is used as a place to receive guests with important ceremonies. In a solemn position hung an enameled portrait of Duong Chan Ky.

Here there are countless antiques such as: antique bronze vases, antique porcelain vases, antique lampstands, ironwood tables and chairs, oak wood... antique French clocks, French wash basins. carry over...

Very antique, expensive items used in the building...

This is a pedigree chart of the Duong family, Vietnam

The middle house consists of 5 compartments, of which 3 worship rooms are decorated with pure Vietnamese culture with incense, altar, and interlocking altar made of wood inlaid with mother-of-pearl. The back house is used to receive female guests with a long wooden wall, including many drawers, lathes, ceramic paintings...

There were many visitors, including foreign delegations, who visited this famous old house. They listened to the explanation, admired and enjoyed each artifact displayed here.

Mr. Duong Chan Ky - the original owner of this house, gently explained and provided information at the request of guests. Mr. Ky is a wealthy intellectual businessman and artistic owner who likes to explore new and strange things of the Western movement at the end of the 19th century, including architecture. This work is a combination and interference between East and West cultures in the style of "internal and external" (inside corresponds to traditional art and Eastern culture, outside is in harmony with Western architecture). and natural landscape).

In the Old Quarter, there is "Orchid Garden Ancient House", Mr. Duong Van Ngon, who enjoys playing with ornamental flowers, especially orchids. In the 60s of the 20th century, he collected many precious orchid varieties and then organized orchid games at the house so that people with the same interests had the opportunity to exchange experiences and enjoy the hobby of playing flowers. Later, many acquaintances called it "Ancient Orchid House" or "Binh Thuy Orchid Garden".

Through the solid concrete and iron gate fence in the style of a French mansion is a side gate in Asian architecture with 4 round columns, a system of rafters, sesame, wooden crossbeams, tiled roofs, and ledges covered with corrugated iron. green enamel. The front of the gate has a signboard: "Phuoc An Hieu".

Very antique, expensive items used in the building...

This unique work is the interference of East-West architecture, but it is selective, showing the sophisticated aesthetic tastes of the owner. The building has many new things but still retains the national character, reflected in the space, the decoration of worship, in the use of patterns, textures, decorations... It creates a luxurious but still unique style. strange, not lost in the peaceful village scene at that time.

Experiencing two fierce wars of the Vietnamese people, many buildings around were destroyed by bombs and bullets, but their church is fortunate to still be intact and preserved by successive generations. guard.

Main building seen from the front

Over the years, this place has become a cultural and tourist destination, welcoming many domestic and foreign delegations to visit and study. The old house is also a place chosen as a filming location for many movies, such as: "The horizon there", "The hundred-burnt bamboo", "The poor child" and the famous French film "The Lover" by director J.J. Annaud… In January 2009, Ho Duong Church was ranked as a National Monument.

We would like to introduce to international friends, to have the opportunity to visit and understand more about the long-standing architecture and culture of the Vietnamese people and the beautiful and hospitable land of Can Tho in particular, precious seafood. rare: all kinds of Linh fish, with catfish, coral fish, ocean tuna... !