Huynh Thuy Le Ancient House

About

The Huynh Thuy Le Old House was built in 1895 for Huynh Thuy Le, the son of a rich Chinese family. In 1929, Huynh began a romance with 15-year-old Marguerite Duras - a relationship immortalized in her novel The Lover. The house’s facade is a fascinating mixture of traditional Vietnamese architecture and French Baroque, while the interior displays an fusion of opulent decor with intricate woodwork, mother-of-pearl inlaid doors, and floor tiles made in France. This is celebrated in the main hall by a plaque that reads 'China and the West admire together' in Chinese. In the entrance hall, you’ll find photos of the Le family and Marguerite Duras, as well as stills from The Lover film.