According to preliminary statistics, in the core area of Trang An Heritage, there are nearly 100 ancient houses with typical traditional architecture, built before 1945 and distributed mainly in the area of Truong Yen and Ninh Xuan communes (Hoa Lu), currently relatively well preserved. Some houses, when passed down through several generations, have become worship spaces and have been ranked as provincial relics. Preserving traditional houses is a premise for the goal of sustainable development with a contemporary character while still maintaining the identity of the ancient capital.
Originated from "family tradition"
The ancient house of Mr. Giang Tat De's family, Truong Xuan village, Truong Yen commune (Hoa Lu), was built in traditional architectural style, the age of the house is not determined specifically, but Mr. Giang Tat De is the fourth generation living under this roof. The house has a structure of "five rooms, two sides"; built in the style of crossing the wall; the truss system is in the style of "young pillars, bows, stacked beds, crickets". The main house is distinguished from the porch by a wooden threshold; the three middle rooms are "connected"; the middle room has a very solemn and dignified ancestral altar... Seen from the outside, the house stands out with its characteristic scale-tiled roof; rows of stone pillars and a high, sturdy floor thanks to the elaborately carved stone slabs as the foundation; a door system made of ironwood in the style of "table panels", which is a wide door throughout the entire room, with many panels, and a hinged base.
Or the house of Mr. Nguyen Huy Tuan's family, Truong Son village, Truong Yen commune (Hoa Lu), also has the ancient, sophisticated beauty of the ancient wooden house architecture typical of the Northern Delta. The house has five compartments (three main compartments, two auxiliary compartments), inside the house there are six rows of square pillars, the porch pillars are also made of square wood placed on stone blocks. At the positions at the top of the house, the rafters, horizontal bars, thresholds, eaves, and patterns of flip leaves and unicorns are embossed directly on the wood and solid stone steps.
According to Associate Professor, Dr. Architect Khuat Tan Hung (Hanoi University of Architecture), the above-mentioned ancient houses have great value; and are located in traditional villages in the core area of Trang An, so they are even more "special" because they are adorned with unique and attractive limestone mountain landscapes. Although they are also 3-compartment and 5-compartment houses, people know how to effectively exploit local materials such as stone to make steps, thresholds, and even porch columns, thereby creating a unique character for the house and creating a unique character characterized by the relationship with the natural landscape and the exploitation of natural conditions in the lives of the residents here. These ancient houses are artifacts that directly reflect the working capacity, creativity, imagination, and aesthetic taste of previous generations in the development process. Therefore, ancient houses are considered a unique type of heritage that needs to be preserved and promoted.
Towards sustainable development
According to Mr. Nguyen Cao Tan, Deputy Director of the Department of Tourism, ancient houses are heritages that are not only beautiful in architectural lines but also contain many traditional cultural values. In order to preserve and promote the value of ancient houses in the core area of Trang An World Heritage, in order to build quality and unique tourism products, the province has been implementing many specific solutions. The province has issued many legal documents and directives and management documents related to the preservation and promotion of the value of cultural heritages. Including Resolution No. 105/2023/NQ-HDND, dated July 12, 2023 of the Provincial People's Council on promulgating a number of policies to support tourism development in Ninh Binh province for the period 2023-2030, stipulating policies to support the conservation and promotion of the value of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage of Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex (including support for the restoration and repair of houses with traditional architectural styles that are 50 years old or older in the core area of the Heritage; support for the construction of new houses in the core area of the Heritage)... For local authorities with ancient houses, it has directed associations, unions, and villages to strengthen propaganda and mobilize people to preserve and promote the traditional values of these constructions in order to preserve the "quintessence" left by their ancestors.
However, in promoting the value of traditional houses in the Trang An Heritage Area into tourism products, according to Associate Professor, Dr. Do Thi Thanh Thuy, Vietnam National Institute of Culture and Arts, it is the people, their customs, habits and lifestyles that create the soul of architectural heritage (ancient houses). When people are proud of the heritage and benefit from the heritage, tourism development can be sustainable. Therefore, it is necessary to promote management strategies with the participation of relevant communities; encourage the implementation of development plans with the participation of people and other stakeholders in the conservation and management of ancient houses; ensure rights and responsibilities, create meaningful jobs, bring practical socio-economic benefits to people; increase people's participation in the conservation and promotion of heritage, raise awareness, understanding and pride of the community; create and consolidate consensus when developing tourism products and services on existing platforms. Originating from "family traditions", from traditional villages as a premise for the goal of sustainable development with contemporary character while still preserving the identity of the ancient capital.
Therefore, to preserve the ancient houses and traditional houses in the heritage area, according to Associate Professor, Dr. Dang Van Bai, Vice Chairman of the Vietnam National Cultural Heritage Council, in the coming time, Ninh Binh needs to focus on restoring and improving the quality of life for local residents currently living in ancient houses, creating a premise to promote actual revenue from tourism development. Along with that, the province also needs to have policies to create conditions for individuals and households to participate in tourism development, creating livelihoods for people associated with sustainable heritage protection, especially in the core heritage area.
Establish a mechanism for managing and preserving the existing village structure, preserving and renovating valuable architectural works and economic infrastructure of the village, and restoring traditional folk public works. Relevant departments, branches, and localities also need to coordinate to propose research on house models simulating traditional forms, and promote the replication of the homestay model among people, in harmony with the village space. From there, create mechanisms and benefits in public-private cooperation, raise public awareness in the conservation of ancient houses in particular, and promote community consultation in heritage conservation.
Article and photos: Nguyen Thom
Source
Comment (0)