Travelling to Bac Ha ancient town, visitors are not only attracted by the cool climate, beautiful natural scenery but also because it has many famous monuments and vestiges. The most remarkable destination here is the Hoang A Tuong mansion.
Let’s explore this architectural building built in the early twentieth century and has been recognized by the state as a cultural and historical relic in 1999. In 2007, the mansion was completely restored and renovated. Nowadays, it has become an attractive sights of Bac Ha region in the North side of Vietnam
The Hoang A Tuong mansion is a symbol of the white highlands. The former owner was Mr. Hoang Yen Tchao and his son Hoang A Tuong. His father and son are the Tay and the company of the Bac Ha region during the French period. Local community in the area used to call him the King of HMong. Because in the past more than 70% of population in the region are Mong people. It was believed that Mr. Hoang Yen Tchao had ruled the land of Bac Ha since about 1905 and monopolized the sale of salt and opium, supplies for local people then exported to China and French. His father and mother built the mansion thanks to these resources. As a result, a bloody sweat of the people and ethnic groups of Bac Ha.
According to folklore, the mansion was started in 1914 and completed by the end of 1921. In order to build the mansion of his father, Hoang Yen Tchao asked the Feng Shui master to find the excellent location, to hire two French architects. and Chinese people to design. Therefore, the mansion is known as a harmonious combination of European and Asian architecture. Additionally, he also hired a helicopter to transport iron and steel cement from Hanoi. The bricks and tiles were baked locally by skilled craftsmen in different locations. Traditionally, workers are recruited on the spot and many other places have skilled workers in lowland areas, mainly soldiers, criminals. Especially villages, where there are no people must pay money, pigs and chickens instead.
Let’s explore the function of the mansion was designed to be both a residence and a workplace, as well as a fortified fortress. The total area of the residence at that time was 10,000m2. It is surrounded by a wall of earth, 80cm thick and 2.8m high. So, their soldiers can patrol on it. The four sides of the fence all have apricot holes. The original mansion had 3 gates, including 1 main gate, 2 auxiliary gates. In order to protect the royal father and son's mansion, the two guards guarded the guards regularly. The designer was built in total of 36 rooms in the villa. The main block is for owners to stay and work. Two smaller and smaller outbuildings in the back for soldiers and servants. In addition, the palace also has an auxiliary part including stables, food warehouses ...
As history completely changed, the Vietnamese army entered Bac Ha in 1950. This attack was unstoppable so the Hoang family left France just before the liberation of Bac Ha when they disappeared inside a secret tunnel
Since then, it has been a long time with the ups and downs of history, the mansion has narrowed to only 4000m2 but still retains the deep look of an ancient villa unique in architecture, containing history. ... Because of that, it attracted thousands of domestic and foreign visitors to visit and learn about the local history, fengshui science and so on.