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| Bao Vinh ancient beamed-house system continues to be restored |
This beamed-house belongs to Mrs. Phan Thi Dieu Lien, located at 77B Bao Vinh, and it is one of the houses in the "Supporting, Protecting, and Promoting the Value of Ancient Rường Houses in Bao Vinh Ancient Town, Huong Vinh Ward, Hue City Project" (abbreviated as the Project), approved by the provincial People's Committee under Decision No. 1383 dated May 29, 2024. Ms. Lien’s house is classified as a Type 1 ancient beamed-house, which was built in 1914 with a two-story, two-compartment structure having closed gable-end walls, and having a front porch on each floor.
Over time, the house deteriorated significantly due to a lack of restoration. Recently, the People's Committee of Hue City decided to invest in renovating and preventing the deterioration of traditional houses and assigned the Hue Garden House Management and Protection Board to be the investor with a maximum support fund of 1 billion VND..
“For more than 20 years since hearing the news that the State had a plan to renovate the house, my husband and I have been waiting every single day to receive support. This is because the restoration costs are far beyond our financial means so we weren’t able to afford the total cost on our own. Now, this dream has come true with the city's support, and I’m overjoyed. Once the work is complete, if the city decides to open the house for visitors, we’ll gladly cooperate,” excitedly said Mrs. Phan Thi Dieu Lien.
Another beamed-house included in the Project list and scheduled for renovation during the 2023–2026 period is that of Mr. Nguyen Thanh Ha, being situated at 79 Bao Vinh. This house was built in 1945, so it has fallen into severe disrepair due to a lack of thorough restoration. The wooden frame has been damaged by termites ,and the roof support structure has sagged, at the same time, lost its integrity. Besides, the tiles of the roof have slipped, broken, and leaked in many places; the cement-rendered floor is cracked and punctured; and the beam and girder system, and wooden partitions have deteriorated.
Mr. Nguyen Thanh Ha suggested that as Bao Vinh Ancient Town has recently gained popularity and attracted numerous tourists who visit the beamed-houses to have a talk with the owners, particularly after the release of the film Dreamy Eyes (Mắt Biếc). Therefore, alongside the restoration and preservation of the ancient beamed-houses, the province and city should allocate funding to comprehensively upgrade the infrastructure of the ancient town. This could include investments in river docks, markets, communal houses, and transportation systems to create a cohesive infrastructure, thereby stimulating tourism and promoting the development of tourism-related services.
According to Mr. Nguyen Ich Huan, Head of the Hue City Department of Culture and Information and Deputy Head of the Hue Garden House Management and Protection Board, the Bao Vinh ancient beamed-houses have not been restored or repaired for an extended period, leading to severe deterioration. Some houses are at risk of collapse, and in certain cases, the owners, being unable to afford restoration, have sold their properties, while others have completely demolished the structures to rebuild in a modern style.
Therefore, investing in and restoring these beamed-houses to prevent further degradation is essential to preserving and safeguarding the unique characteristics of Bao Vinh's ancient beamed-houses. This effort will also enhance the economic potential of Bao Vinh Ancient Town, foster consensus among beamed-house owners, and encourage their voluntary participation in the Project, contributing significantly to preserving Hue's cultural identity.
From now until the end of 2026, the Hue Garden House Management and Protection Board will continue the restoration of six more ancient beamed-houses listed in the Project in Bao Vinh Ancient Town. These include the houses of Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Trac at No. 55 Bao Vinh, Ms. Nguyen Thi Thu Cuc at No. 61, Ms. Tran Thi Tam at No. 75, Mr. Nguyen Thanh Ha at No. 79, Mr. Hoang Phuoc at No. 89, and Mr. Nguyen Van Uan at No. 99 Bao Vinh.