huynh thuy le ancient house

Just about everything we see when we travel to a foreign country is of some interest as this house was. But, just for itself, not very much. The house is related to a love story turned novel, The Lover, made into a steamy movie of the same name.The house has overnight rooms to rent and our visit consisted of the story of the love affair told by a descendant, some tea, and a quick look around the ground floor. Not much but the ride to and from the house was enjoyable.

We were on a Mekong River cruise when we stopped in Sa Dec for a walking tour, which included a stop at this house. The building is quite interesting and worth a 5 minute stop if you are passing, but the whole site is over-rated. We got stuck here for about 45 minutes, as we were waiting on our guide, and there was really nothing to do or see for that long! The Lotus tea we were given was tasteless, but the ginger was quite nice.

Agree with another. Good location, wet market just right in front for a walk along the river. However, subjects are very few and poor condition. The staffs invited to sit down trying a cup of warm tea and taking all tray of stuffs to introduce and asked to buy..short stop enroute to Chaudoc is okay but not worth for a visit

We stayed for a night and it was a special place to visit, but was a bit spoilt by very pushy staff trying to up sell all the time. There was no air con so we got bitten by mozzies, there was only a fan to fit in with the style of the rooms...so shouldn't really grumble! We also hired bikes.

The building itself is very nice, with historic Indochinese decor, but 'The lover' connection is pretty week & they hassle the hell out of you after their 10 minute presentation to buy unwanted souvenirs!

We visited this site as part of a Pandaw Mekong river cruise...and had seen the movie on-board the night before. I agree with previous reviewers that unless you are familiar with the story, either from the movie or book, that this home will not mean anything much to you. However, that said, it was interesting to see photos of the historical characters that inspired the book and movie.I wouldn't recommend making the trip to Sa Dec to see this house, but if you are in town, it is worth seeing it. The ginger was delicious, and I did buy some... :)And yes... the bathrooms were very clean!

We stopped in to the house after a visit to the thriving market during a morning excursion on our Mekong Delta river cruise. We had heard briefly about the book and film "The Lover", which was partially filmed in this beautiful ornate home. The architecture is a blend of French and Chinese, and the furnishings and altar reflect the Chinese traditions. A young female tour guide recited in stilted English the history of the house and the film while we received cups of fresh jasmine tea and candied ginger. We were given a chance to tour the rest of the house, and of course, to visit the gift shop. It's an interesting diversion from the gritty culture shock of the market, and has inspired me to watch the film when I return home.

It is very small and can be seen in less than 10 mins. From the book and movie the lover, the carving is beautiful. But all they really push is the souvenirs their is not many and they are quite tacky. The pot of lotus tea is good and the ginger snacks very strong but even that is to try to get you to buy some.

The traders house has become a tourist site based on a book and movie called "The Lover" its a sad but true story of love and loss. If you do intent to go to Sa Dec I suggest you read the book or see the movie first as it will all mean so much more if you do. The building is ornately carved and decorated with mother of pearl. The doors are to die for they are so elaborate. You can buy lotus wine and cards from here but you get a glass of jasmine tea and some dried ginger when you enter. The tour is good, and the guide was lovely. If your in Sa Dec then see the market too its 'really real and raw'.

A little bit of history and a story behind it. Some people and stay at the house as it is a $45 a night bed and breakfast.

The house has become a site to visit based on a book and movie but is now a government owned hotel. A double with meals is $50 USD and is on the river and near the market. The construction and decoration are lovely and authentic.

Sa Dec is small and almost nothing to see, except flower gardens which normally blossom before the Lunar New Year. We visit house of Huynh Thuy Le as we have seen the film "The Lover". Looking at the house, we can understand why the Le's father disagree the love story of the couple, Le and Marguetite. It reflects both ancient architecture and cultural customs. It is a beautiful house. Don't forget to explore why the floor has hollow in center and there is an open piece of tile.

Having read the book and seen the film I was keen to go to this attraction. The building is very ornate and is a blend of French and Chinese architecture. Upon arrival you are invited to have jasmine tea accompanied by slices of preserved ginger, which is very nice and you are given a brief talk on the writer, Marguerite Duras and her autobiographical novel, The Lover. The tour is not a lengthy one but is very interesting. It gives a brief insight into both the French presence in Vietnam and also the position of the wealthy Chinese in society in the 1920's. There are both pictures of the Duras and the Le family as well as pictures of the actors in the film. This appears to be a venue where young locals come to have pictures taken prior to their weddings. All in all very interesting.

Built in 1885 by Le's father, this house is a key setting for Marguerite Duras' acclaimed autobiograhpical novel, "L'amant" ("The Lover") which was later made into a film of the same name. The "Lover's House" has a unique blend of French and Chinese architecture.Basically, the story is of a 15 yr old Vietnamese girl who has an lingering tryst with a 27 yr old Huynh Thuy Le, son of a Chinese business magnate in 1929. However, Le's father disapproved of the relationship due to their social class differences. Le succumbs to his father's pressure and ends the relationship and the girl moves to France at 18. Le marries another, more "suitable" woman and has a family. Le maintained his love for the girl and learns much later that the girl loved him deeply as well.Le and his family used the house until 1972 when Le died and his family moved abroad. An accomplished writer, "The Lover" was one of Duras' later works published twelve years after Le's death. Duras died in Paris in 1996 after a long literary career.More and more visitors, Asian and increasingly Western, visit this site in a tour called, "Following the footsteps of 'The Lover'", which includesTrung Vuong Sa Dec Primary School - where Duras' mother taught school from 1924 to 1930 - and the Ong Quach Pagoda. Our private tour started with tea and dried, sugared ginger slices served in the house's ornate interior which features many photos of Ms. Duras, Mr Le and his families, both immediate and extended, and other memorabilia including that of the film in which, I believe, the house was used as a set.Tours are offered by the Dong Thap Tourist Company who also manage the property.

Personnellement je suis très intéressée par tout ce qui concerne MD mais là je dis NON;Le tarif de l'entrée qui était à 20 000D est passé à 30 000D ce qui n'est pas le problème .... mais c'est du pur vol car rien n'est entretenu et la jeune fille qui m'a fait visiter la maison alors qu'elle ne connaissait pas vraiment l'oeuvre de MD (seulement l'AMANT) m'a poursuivie pour me vendre du thé au LOTUS et très insistante je ne lui ai rien acheté!!!Aucun intéret car peu entretenue, mais où va l'argent que nous y laissons?? qui le sait??Donc dans l'ensemble j'ai été très déçue par cette visite sans grand intéretDes photos du film aux tons passés!! de la poussière partoutUn peu d'entretien avec notre argent serait le bienvenu++++