Adjacent to an ancient house existing for nearly 200 years with moss-grown roof in Phu Vinh Village, Vinh Thanh Commune, Nha Trang City has appeared a newly-built house...
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| What will foreigners think when seeing an ancient house adjacent to a corrugated iron roofed house? |
Adjacent to an ancient house existing for nearly 200 years with a moss-grown roof in Phu Vinh Village, Vinh Thanh Commune, Nha Trang City has appeared a newly-built corrugated iron roofed house for tourist reception.
Its owner named Nguyen Xuan Hai explains although he knows that the corrugated iron roofed house may damage the ancient environment, but he is not able to afford a better option.
Ancient house restoration for tourism industry was mentioned 8 years ago. Restoration measures were suggested. However, no progress has been made for the ancient house restoration. Up to now, no money for restoration and preservation works for the house has been seen.
Hai says he built a cottage 4 years ago for tourist reception. The thatch roof has been damaged but he could not afford a new thatch one. So he replaced it by a corrugated iron roof. “The corrugated iron roofed house may damage the ancient environment, but I have no better option because I do not have enough money,” he added
His wife, Nguyen Thi Hong Dao, says the house has been open to tourists for 17 years. However, no financial support has been offered to our family for the restoration as promised by local authorities.
Hai decided to close the house to tourists some years ago. However, local travel businesses encouraged his family to re-open the ancient house to introduce to tourists. Then he had to ask for a VND70 million loan to repair the reception house.
Reportedly, his family has signed contracts with travel businesses. Some offer him VND30,000/ traveler, including sightseeing fee with fruits and some offer VND150,000-250,000/ touring car. The amount is really negligible.
His family is in need of financial assistance to preserve and restore the house. It seems that the owner is responsible for protecting the house but he has not received any financial support for the preservation effort.
Nguyen Van Thich, Vice Director of Vestige & Beauty Spot Management Center says Khanh Hoa has had no support polices for ancient houses. Currently, no ancient houses have been recognized a vestige. Nguyen Xuan Hai’s house is one of the highlight of a countryside and Cai river tour, Nguyen Van Thanh, Director of Tourism Promotion Information Center confirms.
Therefore, the preservation of the ancient house is very important as it can introduce traditional culture to visitors, especially foreigners.
Support polices from the local culture and tourism sectors are required for the preservation effort.
N.T
