Century-old mansions across southern Vietnam crumble amid neglect and abandonment

Dozens of century-old mansions across Tay Ninh, Dong Thap, Ca Mau, and nearby provinces are falling into ruin, sitting abandoned and overgrown with weeds due to a lack of maintenance.

Located in Thanh Phu Long Commune, which is formerly part of Long An Province's Chau Thanh District and now part of Thuan My Commune in Tây Ninh Province, is the historic "Rich People's Hamlet" complex, as referred to by local people.

It features three ancestral houses built by the Nguyen Huu family, once among the area's most affluent landowners.

The heritage structures are in a state of severe disrepair, with floors sinking by roughly 10 centimeters, walls cracking, and roofs leaking in several places.

Workers are removing broken bricks from the roof. The structural damage below is severe, with a collapsed main entrance pillar and crumbling walls forcing the family to brace the building with wooden supports.

About 70 kilometers away, Dong Thap province holds one of the highest concentrations of historic houses in Vietnam.

Following last year's national administrative mergers, preliminary data indicates the province currently has three national heritage sites, 11 provincial-level sites, and nearly 40 historic houses still awaiting official recognition.

However, many state-managed properties have been abandoned and left to deteriorate. Notable examples include the Huyen Chieu House in An Thanh Thuy Commune and the Huyen Mau House in Cai Be Commune.

Pictured is the Huyen Mau House, built in 1910. Previously utilized as a headquarters for various local organizations, the building has remained vacant since the recent administrative restructuring.

However, the rear section has severely deteriorated. The area is prone to standing water, the walls are damp and peeling, and the wooden staircase leading to the upper floor is damaged.

Built by the French over a century ago, the Bac Lieu Governor’s Mansion, often referred to as Toa Bo, is located at 29 Tran Phu Street in Bac Lieu Ward.

The architectural heritage site at 174 Dien Bien Phu Street in Bac Lieu Ward previously served as a sports training school for the provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

The building is currently vacant. Without upkeep, its metal roof and doors show significant signs of deterioration.