Hundred-Column House: Vietnamese Remnant

Hundred-Column House: Vietnamese Remnant

Can Duoc-Long An is rich in culture and history. It is known for its rice, but perhaps more importantly, for its relics. An architectural work in Long Huu Dong called the Hundred-Column House is one historical and cultural vestige worth visiting.

 

Named as such because of its one hundred columns (more, in fact), the Hundred-Column House was built from 1901-1903 by Mr. Tran Van Hoa, a village headmaster at Long Huu Village, Loc Than Ha Canton, Cho Lon Province. He hired Central Vietnamese workers to construct the building which is 882 meter square big and made of the wood Dalbergia, Afzelia xylocarpa, Sindora saimensis. The roof of the house is made of Yin and Yang tiles; the floor by carved stones .9 meters high; and the floor surface of hexagon-shaped Chinese tiles. The whole building is shaped like the letter “Quoc” and situated on a garden with an area of 4,044 meter square.

 

The Hundred-Column House is composed of three compartments and two lean-tos and is divided into two parts: the front which is the master-guest area; and the back which is the residential portion. The main composition of the house is “xuyen trinh” type or “nha dam trinh,” “nha ruong,” which means the house frame is in the shape of eight posts and positioned in the West-East and Front-Back direction. The parts of the main structure, “trinh” and “trong,” have skirtings and are curved similar to “nha ruong” in Central Vietnam. Between these two parts is a traditional mortar and pestle-shaped support for the ridge-beam of the roof which represent the balance of Yin and Yang and is considered a strong frame. A space at the center of the house called “broad-minded” is also created. There used to be a rice storehouse at the back but it was destroyed in 1952.

 

The Hundred-Column House also manifests a high level of sculpting as evidenced by the structure's sophisticated arrangement, theses and technique. All the frames of the structure of the house have delicate carvings of “Cloud Into Dragon” and “The Four Seasons,” the latter which is in the form of “Creeper and Leaf,” a particular characteristic of Hue. The Master and guest compartments are considered the most beautiful areas in the house with its ancient sculptures of the following traditional theses: “The Four Supernatural Creatures,” “The Four Seasons” and “Eight Fruits.” Forms of happiness like wealth and longevity; Western theses such as squirrel, rose, and grapes; and Southern elements like custard, apple, thistle, and mangosteen are also sculpted onto different parts of the house like in the balconies, frames, partitions, chairs, round tables, altar, and long tables using the technique bas-relief.

 

The wood carving technique used at the Hundred-Column House is a combination of traditional and modern style with both elaborate and unique designs which are visually attractive yet pleasing to the eyes. The guest compartment for instance is themed with natural scenery, good fortune and longevity made alive through horizontal lacquered boards, vermilion lacquered and gilded wood panels inlaid with conch. Traditional architectural carving was used with the purpose of achieving an overall peaceful place of worship.

 

The Hundred-Column House is considered a type of Hue, Nguyen Dynasty house although it was originally built with a 19th-20th century South Vietnam theme under the French rule. The distinction lies in the design and theme. But no matter the difference in design, decoration, theme and other factors, it's no argument that the Hundred-Column House is an integral part of Vietnam's culture. That is also why it was recognized as a National Historic-Cultural Vestige by the Ministry of Culture and Information, a clear manifestation of its significant contribution to the historical and cultural sophistication of Vietnam.