The 175-year-old house on 7 Ben Ngu Street, known as the oldest residence in Nam Dinh City, Vietnam, stands as a national treasure. It is also where famed scholar Trinh Bich San, widely known as “Tam Nguyen Vi Xuyen”, was born and raised.

Trinh Bich San (1840-1877), from the village of Vi Xuyen in My Loc, Nam Dinh, was celebrated for his extensive knowledge and academic excellence. In 1864, he achieved first place in the provincial exams, and in 1865, he topped the regional and national exams, earning the rare title of “Tri Nguyen” or three-time top scholar.

The house, currently located at 75 Ben Ngu Street, was built in 1849 by Trinh Bich San’s grandfather, Trinh Dinh Lam. Today, the residence remains largely intact after 175 years, with descendants of the scholar still living in the home, preserving its heritage.

Trinh Van Duc, a fifth-generation descendant of Trinh Bich San, shared that the family’s original property spanned six sao (around 2,160 square meters). Known as “Co Mai Trang” for its front garden of ancient apricot trees, the estate has been reduced over the years to about 200 square meters, with the five-room house itself covering nearly 98 square meters.

slide slide

Before and after images of the historic house.

Once a large estate with both a family shrine and auxiliary rooms, the house now has a small pathway leading to the main structure. Duc explained that the original front steps were removed when the family raised the yard level to prevent flooding.

W-Nam Định_21.jpg
The main five-room house facing southeast, showcasing classic architecture.
W-Nam Định_7.jpg
The doors of the three central rooms are crafted in the shape of the Chinese character for “longevity.” 

Duc recounted that during the family’s evacuation to Thai Binh in 1951, the house was looted, even the doors taken. When locals realized the historical importance of the house, they recovered and returned the doors from the nearby Ca Pagoda.

W-Nam Định_5.jpg
Durable ironwood beams exhibit simple but refined craftsmanship.

W-Nam Định_12.jpg
At the center of the main room is a brick altar with a horizontal inscribed board reading: Dich the tai duc, meaning “the earthly realm honors virtuous merit.”

W-Nam Định_24.jpg
The house’s brick walls and tiled roof were restored in 2018 after two re-roofings.

W-Nam Định_13.jpg
Inside, the worship area holds a stately ambiance. The couplets adorning the pillars pay homage to Trinh Bich San, emphasizing his academic achievements and contributions.


W-Nam Định_23.jpg

From 1930 to 1935, this historic home served as a base for revolutionary leaders and was the founding site of the first Revolutionary Youth League in Nam Dinh.

With its extensive cultural significance, the house at 7 Ben Ngu was officially recognized as a national cultural heritage site by the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism in 1991.

Trong Tung - Nguyen Thao