DONG NAI  – Many villas built by the French in Suoi Tre Cultural Center, Long Khanh City, have been degraded and forgotten for many years.

Suoi Tre Cultural Center, Long Khanh City, about 70 hectares wide, was formed in the 20s of the twentieth century to serve the resort needs of the French. 150 m high above sea level, so the climate is mild and cool, this place has long been known as “Da Lat of the East”.

Suoi Tre used to be a popular weekend destination for Dong Nai people in previous decades. Services such as libraries, gardens, restaurants, etc. of the Cultural Center have largely stopped working.

According to the leader of Dong Nai Rubber Corporation, people can still visit, take pictures and camp on the premises.

One of the villas is requisitioned as a traditional house of Dong Nai rubber workers.

To serve the needs of relaxation, the French built dozens of villas here that still exist today. After 1954, when the French withdrew to the country, Suoi Tre area was handed over to many owners, currently managed by Dong Nai Rubber Corporation.

The inside of Dong Nai’s traditional house of rubber workers is now degraded, the ceiling is soaked with water, and green moss is overgrown.

The entrance to the abandoned mansion is rusty, on the way there is overgrown grass. According to Dong Nai Rubber Corporation, there are about 10 villas in Suoi Tre area.

The wooden door of the villa is damaged, vines cling to the wall.

A villa formerly used as a motel, is now also vacant, surrounded by weeds, few people visit.

Of the 10 remaining villas in the Suoi Tre area, many of them have been severely damaged over time, forcing the owner to remove the tile roof to ensure the safety of the people.

About 500 meters from Suoi Tre Cultural Center, the old villa of SIPH Rubber Company’s owner on Thi mountain, was recognized by the People’s Committee of Dong Nai province as a provincial-level historical – architectural monument in 2012. However. due to almost complete damage, no possibility of restoration, the relic has its certification revoked in 2018.

Thi mountain villa is a place frequented by film crews and young people who love to explore. However, in order to access the villa, people have to cross the farmland of the people’s house.

According to Mr. Nguyen Van Thang, Deputy Director of Dong Nai Rubber Corporation, the abandoned and degraded villas are requested by the Corporation to repair and restore with many different functions in the near future. .

The tennis court and swimming pool built by the French in the 1920s are still in use today.

Mr. Do Chanh Quang, Chairman of Long Khanh City People’s Committee, said that Suoi Tre has a lot of potential for developing the city’s cultural and ecological tourism. “We are proposing to receive this center from Dong Nai Rubber Corporation to call for investment and development in accordance with the potential of this land,” said Mr. Quang.

Location of Suoi Tre Cultural Park. Photo: Google Maps