VietNamNet Bridge - After nearly 100 years of existence, the mansion or palace of Hoang A Tuong, the King of the ethnic Meo people in Bac Ha, Lao Cai province still retains the majesty of the most powerful clan in the white highlands.

Hoang A Tuong Palace was built in an Asian-European style with closed rectangular layouts. Its owners were father and son Hoang Yen Chao and Hoang A Tuong, Tay ethnic people who ruled the region, even though 70 percent of the population were ethnic H’mong people.

Before 1945, Bac Ha was a semi-feudal-colony society, with the ruling class and the ruled class, the exploiters and the exploited. The exploiters were tho ti. During their reign, under the French colonial support, father and son Hoang Yen Chao - Hoang A Tuong tried to exploit the people, occupied fertile land, and forced people to pay servitude and tribute.

They also held a monopoly in trading salt, consumer goods, drugs and food. They also controlled the exploitation of forest products for French stations and henchmen.

The mansion was built by Hoang A Tuong in 1914. A  French and Chinese architect helped him choose land and direction as well as design and build the work.

The location of the mansion was selected according to feng shui theory.

Deep into the mansion is the main house. There are two sub-houses on the left and the right. These houses surround a courtyard. To enter the mansion, visitors have to pass several stairs from the two sides to the waiting room, and then step into the large yard.

The main house has two stories, with a total area of 420 m². The doors are vaulted. Corridors have railS. The four rooms on the two sides are spaceS for family activities. The center rooms on both floors are used as meeting places. The main side is decorated with elaborate patterns. On the right and left are two parallel sentences wishing glory to the family. The total area of this mansion is 4,000 m². The house was completed in 1921.

Hoang A Tuong mansion today is painted in bright yellow, which has caused it to lose its deep moss color. But despite being "colored," the mansion still fascinates visitors.

Going through the long hallway, visitors will see many scenes in the old times, maids given the cane on the yard, the “kings” wives walking in a room, the noise and the smoke of opium in a small room...

The powerful house has many stories and visitors will hear many different versions. With 100 years of history, Hoang A Tuong mansion is a vivid symbol of an ancient time.

Some pictures of the palace today:

VNN/VNE