A 100-year-old French-style villa in southern Dong Nai Province may be demolished to make way for a riverine road project in Bien Hoa City.
Constructed between 1922 and 1924, the villa has long been a regional landmark and tourist attraction, renowned for its distinctive architecture. The building also holds historical significance as it served as a refuge for over 100 residents during the 1952 flood near Buu Long Market, according to local tales.
A 100-year-old villa lies within a road construction project in Dong Nai Province. Photo by Read/Phuoc Tuan |
Currently maintained by the descendants of Vo Ha Thanh, a former provincial governor, the villa stands on land earmarked for a 5.2-km Dong Nai riverine road project, which started construction three years ago with a total investment of VND1.3 trillion ($52.83 million). The Bien Hoa People’s Committee has stated that two-thirds of the villa lies within the project’s boundaries, necessitating its demolition. However, the villa’s owners are advocating for its preservation.
Tran Quang Toai, head of the Dong Nai Association of Historical Sciences, emphasized the villa’s cultural and historical value, noting that it was used as a setting for “Nguoi Dep Tay Do” (Southwestern Beauty), a popular Vietnamese TV series of the 1990s.
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The facade of a 100-year-old villa in Dong Nai. Photo by Read/Phuoc Tuan |
In response to public concerns, the Dong Nai People’s Committee has formed a team to assess potential solutions for preserving the villa. This team, comprising officials from the province’s construction and cultural departments, will explore ways to maintain the villa while continuing the road project. Architect Ngo Viet Nam Son suggested alternatives, such as redesigning the road or converting the villa into a cultural and tourism site.
The Department of Construction said it would gather input from various sectors and present options to the Dong Nai People’s Committee for a final decision.
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