Marguerite Duras & Huynh Thuy Le Ancient House: Explore a Historical and Cultural Site in the Mekong Delta
Sa Dec is a ward in Dong Thap Province, Vietnam, known as the flower capital of the Mekong Delta due to its vibrant flower villages and extensive flower cultivation. However, beyond the flower fields, guests on Mekong River cruises will have a chance to visit the famous Huynh Thuy Le ancient house, a national relic site.
The Huynh Thuy Le ancient house is a beautifully preserved architectural gem in Sa Dec, best known as the iconic backdrop of the real-life romance between Vietnamese-Chinese gentleman Huynh Thuy Le and French writer Marguerite Duras, later immortalized in her memoir The Lover and its film adaptation L’Amant.
The house was built in 1895 and remodeled in 1917; it has survived colonialism, war, and modernization and was recognized as a National Historical Relic in 2009 by the Vietnamese government. It showcases over 120 years of the Mekong Delta aristocratic lifestyle, blending Chinese merchant culture with French colonial influence.
As you step through the gate, you’ll be greeted by a spacious garden brimming with greenery and potted flowers. Making your way across the yard, you’ll come upon a single-story house spanning 258 square meters.
Cross the threshold, and you’ll find yourself immersed in a space rich with traditional Chinese elements yet subtly touched by French elegance. The floor is laid with ceramic tiles imported from France, lending a cool contrast to the warm, handcrafted interior. The walls are wainscoted in fine oak, exuding the quiet luxury of a bygone era. Ornate wooden doors, carved with geometric patterns and floral motifs, add to the house’s refined artistry, mixing symbolism with sophistication.
At the heart of the house lies the main hall, serving simultaneously as the ancestral altar room and family living space. The ambiance here is steeped in tradition, featuring royal yellow, auspicious red, and majestic black, colors deeply rooted in classic Chinese design philosophy. Dominating this space is a revered altar dedicated to Guan Gong, the legendary general venerated across Confucian, Taoist, and Buddhist communities, especially among merchants. The altar is framed by towering gilded columns, meticulously carved with phoenixes, blooming flowers, and other auspicious bas-reliefs, each symbolizing prosperity, protection, and legacy.
Traveling on a selected Mekong River cruises, your shore excursions will include a visit to the Huynh Thuy Le ancient house. Feel free to contact our cruise specialists for more information on this landmark or suitable cruise options for your next Southeast Asia travel.
