In the quiet village of Cuu, located in Chuyen My Commune (formerly Van Tu Commune, Phu Xuyen District), Hanoi, stands a timeworn house filled with stories and legacy.

Nguyen Thien Tu, born in 1945, is the fourth generation raised in this remarkable home. Now 80 years old, he spends his days lovingly tending the house and its lush garden, collecting historical records of Cuu village, and warmly welcoming visitors curious about this rare architectural gem.

A unique blend of Vietnamese and French architecture

Built in the early 20th century, the house was originally commissioned by Tu’s great-grandfather, a local mandarin. His son, who studied in France, returned home with fresh influences, which he subtly incorporated into the house’s design. As a result, the home displays a harmonious fusion of traditional Vietnamese elements - tiled courtyard, ironwood columns, wooden panel doors - with touches of French style.

“According to my parents, the house was built on a 300-square-meter plot and features 11 rooms,” Mr. Tu explained. “There are three ancestral altars, two living rooms, three kitchen and work areas, a room for domestic help, a room for rice milling, and one for livestock.”

During the 1930s and 1940s, Cuu village flourished thanks to its skilled Western-style tailors. Prosperous merchants brought designers and builders from Hanoi to erect solid homes that fused Vietnamese and French influences. Yet, the home of Mr. Tu’s family remains one of the village’s most impressive.

“My parents also worked in tailoring and were able to provide a good life for us. When I was born, war brought hardships, but I was still fortunate to receive a full education,” he recalled.

Mr. Tu spent most of his adult life in Hanoi. However, over 10 years ago, after a series of thefts targeting heritage items in village homes, he decided to return and protect the ancestral house.

“From a young age, we were taught to treasure and preserve our family’s home. Every object in it is a spiritual treasure,” he said.

On weekends and holidays, the house fills with children and grandchildren returning to reunite.

A gate steeped in symbolism and history

Visitors strolling through Cuu village are often drawn to the family’s ornate entrance gate. “Many architects and cultural researchers have praised its unique design,” said Mr. Tu proudly.

Above the entrance are three Han characters: ‘Đắc Kỳ Môn’, symbolizing a gate of fortune and longevity. The gate is decorated with relief carvings of flowers, animals, and motifs of prosperity, happiness, and longevity.

Notably, the arched structure and proportions reflect French architectural styles - reminiscent of Paris’s Arc de Triomphe, especially on the interior side.

Beyond the gate lies a peaceful courtyard paved with stone, shaded by betel vines, areca palms, and the faint scent of roses.

Remnants of heritage and time

Inside, three original ancestral altar rooms remain intact. “Over time, other sections deteriorated. In 2024, one room collapsed during Typhoon Yagi,” Mr. Tu shared.

The front doors follow the ‘thuong song ha ban’ (upper slatted, lower panel) style. “The wooden bars resemble bamboo nodes, crafted entirely by hand,” Mr. Tu noted.

Above the doors, a carved scroll panel symbolizes the family’s commitment to education and serves as a message to future generations.

The altar room also contains a ‘dragons chasing pearl’ painting, along with ancestral thrones, incense burners, brass urns, and vases - precious heirlooms passed down for generations.

A living museum of a village’s golden past

To this day, Mr. Tu’s home is more than a residence - it is a museum, preserving the traditions, culture, and personal memories of a family and a once-flourishing village.

Visitors to Cuu can explore colonial villas and traditional houses, photograph the old village gate, water wells, and the bustling local market, or visit Phuc Due Pagoda.

Nearby, Chuyen My Commune also offers attractions such as Chuon village, famous for lacquered mother-of-pearl inlays, Van Tu tailoring village, and Phu Yen leather shoemakers.

Linh Trang - Nguyen Huy