Two centuries-old areas in Hue, a UNESCO world heritage city, are suffering from the worst effects of modernization and government neglect, with people demolishing ancient structures to build houses.
There are also few sponsors willing to fund preservation of relics that often date back 200 years in Bao Vinh and Gia Hoi areas.
The city government announced plans to preserve and develop Bao Vinh in 2003 and set up a board to conserve ancient relics in Hue, but little has been done so far to protect the old homes.
Shockingly, the government continues to grant licenses to people for building tall houses and converting ancient ones into modern buildings.
Time may have run out for the relics.
In 1991 there were 39 traditional houses in Bao Vinh, but only 15 remain now that are more than 200 years old. The rest have either been turned into modern high-rises or are too dilapidated.
The same situation obtains in Gia Hoi. Only 23 traditional houses and 32 French-era houses on Chi Lang Street retain their original status out of 150.
Like in Bao Vinh, most of them have been replaced with modern buildings or are severely degraded.
Nguyen Van Bon, chairman of the commune administration that oversees Bao Vinh, said no support has been forthcoming from the central government for preservation.
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Only the roofs are ancient in Bao Vinh
The only assistance received so far was VND411 million (US$21,000) given by the French Senate to repair three ancient houses, he said.
Ancient or modern?
However, there are different points of view about whether Hue’s ancient houses need to be preserved.
Nguyen Viet Tien, the Head of the Urban Planning Association in Hue, said since architecture is a reflection of history, ancient towns need to be preserved.
But locals’ right to live in modern houses also needs to be taken into account and the government should work with them to reach agreement, he said.
Either way, he said, “We must take action now.”
But Bon said that the government should not preserve the old houses because it will affect people’s lives as well as the economy.
“Many people have filed petitions against preserving the ancient houses.”
The government should focus on preserving national relics of historical and cultural significance, he said, citing some examples like buildings in the Bach Dang Arc such as the Dieu De national pagoda, Hindu temple, some French-era houses with their shuttered windows, grand balconies, and pitched tiled roof.
Bao Vinh is located on the famous Huong (Perfume) River and is just a few minutes’ drive from the former Imperial City of Hue. Seen from the river, the line of old houses reminds visitors of the streets of Hoi An though Bao Vinh’s history only dates back 200 years. The Gia Hoi area, which covers Phu Cat, Phu Hiep, and Phu Hau wards, is an island surrounded by the Dong Ba Canal and Huong River. The ancient Gia Hoi street used to be a busy trading centre in the past. Many houses here have architecture as unique and ancient as in Hoi An. |
Part 1: Modern-loving locals turn back on ancient village
To be continued
