Binh Thuy Ancient House


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Ancient attractions in Mekong Delta hub

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From the center of Can Tho City, go along Cach Mang Thang Tam St. past Binh Thuy Bridge, and you will reach Binh Thuy Temple, one of the most ancient temple in the southern provinces.


The temple became well known in the eighteenth century.

 

During conflict in the Nguyen Dynasty (1802-1945), when the temple was smaller and made of wood and coconut leaves, a hurricane suddenly sprung up and caught General Huynh Man Dat out in the open.

 

When the general and his troops took shelter in the temple, the hurricane immediately vanished.

 

Showing his gratitude to the temple deities, the general asked Tu Duc King in 1852, to the title of Bon Canh Thanh Hoang (Tutelary God) to the temple.

 

In 1909, the temple was rebuilt with concrete.

 

Since then it has been renovated several times.

 

Its architecture is greatly influenced by the Chinese, with statues facing north, south, east and west on each side of the roof.

 

On the temple altar, there is a giant bronze incense burner over 100 years old.

 

The temple is in a typical Asian style for multi-deity worshipping andit honors several national heroes like Nguyen Trai, Phan Boi Chau and Nguyen Trung Truc.

 

The deputy head of the temple Ba Dat says, “Binh Thuy is the only temple in the western region that retains the original set of rites.

 

Annually on the 12th, 13th, and 14th days of the 4th month of the lunar calendar, the temple holds its traditional Thuong Dien Festival.”

 

At the festival, worshippers thank the God of the soil after local harvests and pray for good luck and peace.

 

Residents say the festival attracts great numbers of visitors, who elbow each others out of the way for a better look.

 

Half a kilometer from the temple, in Bui Huu Nghia St, is a very well-known block of old houses, built in 1870.

 

Surrounded by gardens full of flowers and decorative trees, the French style houses are decorated with engraved reliefs in cheerful colors.

 

In the past the Duong family was famous in the Mekong Delta region for collecting valuable antiques.

 

Luckily after decades of war, the buildings and contents have survived.

 

The antique collection includes French Louis 15-styled salons, two sets of tables and chairs imported from China's Yunnan, lights dating back to the 18th century, and a pair of elephant’s tusks purchased in the 1940s.

 

Due to their interesting heritage, the houses have become a popular destination for many foreign tourists.

 

The venue has also welcomed a number of local and international film makers.

 

The renowned film “The Lover” by French director Jean Jacques Annaud was made there.


Source ThanhnienNews

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