The office of the founding doctor of the Pasteur Institute in Vietnam

The workplace of Dr. Alexandre Yersin, founder of the Pasteur Institutes in Hanoi, Nha Trang, and Da Lat, was built about 100 years ago, on a mountain over 1,500 m high.

The house of doctor Alexandre Yersin is located on Hon Ba mountain in Suoi Cat commune (Cam Lam district), about 60 km from Nha Trang city, Khanh Hoa.

Alexandre Yersin was born on September 22, 1863 in Lavaud, Vaud County, Switzerland. In 1891, he came to Nha Trang to live and work until his death on March 1, 1943. During his time here, he had many valuable medical works, notably the discovery of the plague.

He was the founder of the Pasteur Institutes in Nha Trang (1895), Hanoi (1925, now the Central Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology) and Dalat (1936, now the Dalat Pasteur Vaccine Company). Previously, the Pasteur Institute in Saigon was founded by Dr. Albert Calmette in 1891. These are leading medical and scientific units in research on epidemic prevention, epidemiology...

The house was built by Dr. Yersin around 1914 after surveying Hon Ba peak to study the terrain for growing medicinal herbs. The house was abandoned for many years and was restored by the government in 2004.

After renovation, the house has two floors similar to the old house. The first floor displays images and artifacts related to Yersin's life and career. The second floor is divided into three rooms, including a bedroom, a living room and a memorial altar. On March 20, 2023, this place was recognized as a National Historical Site. In front of the house, a bust of Dr. Alexandre Yersin was erected by the Dr. Yersin Admiration Association in October 2023.

Inside the first floor of the building hangs many pictures and documents about doctors.

Cabinets in the house. Previously, the cabinets displayed artifacts associated with the doctor's life such as cameras and oil lamps, but are now empty.

Mr. Le Kim Hoan Vu, Deputy Ranger of Hon Ba Forestry Department, said that this area has not been exploited for tourism for a long time, so there are signs of deterioration. In the coming time, Hon Ba Nature Reserve will coordinate with companies and businesses to conduct surveys to exploit tourism along with conservation.

The stairs to the second floor of the house are rusty.

The balcony area of ​​the house. The staff at the conservation area often cleans and wipes down many items here.

The living room on the second floor is bare of furniture. Previously, this place was furnished with two sets of wooden tables and chairs, recreating Dr. Yersin's living space.

Dr. Yersin's bedroom is now empty compared to when it was restored and had a bed and wardrobe.

People burn incense at the memorial altar of Dr. Yersin after the Khanh Hoa Provincial People's Committee allowed visitors to the area from February 6.

According to the representative of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, visitors can now visit Hon Ba peak, the doctor's office relic. However, because it is still in the trial phase (within three months), the facilities here have not been completed.

The reservoir is used by doctors to collect rainwater for domestic use and irrigation.

About 100 meters from the house is the horse stable area, now only a few stone troughs remain. Doctor Yersin raised horses to carry seeds and medicinal plants to the top of Hon Ba for experimental planting and research purposes.

In July 2010, Yasaka Saigon - Nha Trang Joint Stock Company was assigned by the government to manage and restore the doctor's office relic site in Hon Ba Nature Reserve. However, the company committed construction violations and was fined and lost the right to manage the project.

Bui Toan - Vnexpress.net

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