French villas abandoned in southern Vietnam

Suoi Tre Cultural Center in Long Khanh Town, about 70 hectares large, was formed in the 1920s to serve as a resort for the French. The area is 150 meters above sea level, boasting a cool and comfortable climate.

Suoi Tre used to be a popular weekend destination for Dong Nai residents, but now mostly stands idle. Camping, however, is still allowed on the premises.

One of the villas is now used as a traditional house.

Suoi Tre is currently managed by General Dong Nai Rubber Company.

The traditional house for rubber workers stands degraded, with its ceiling soaked and green moss sprouting everywhere.

According to the company, there are about 10 villas in Suoi Tre.

The doors of the villas are old and damaged.

A villa that formerly served as a guesthouse now stands vacant and surrounded by weeds.

Of the 10 remaining villas in Suoi Tre, few have tiles left on their roofs.

About 500 meters from Suoi Tre is the old villa of SIPH Rubber Company on Thi Mountain. It was recognized by the Dong Nai People's Committee as a historical and architectural site in 2012. However, due to severe damage and lack of restoration, its certification was revoked in 2018.

According to Nguyen Van Thang, deputy director of General Dong Nai Rubber Company, proposals have been submitted to repair and restore the abandoned and degraded villas.

A tennis court and a swimming pool built by the French in the 1920s remain in use.

Do Chanh Quang, chairman of Long Khanh People's Committee, said Suoi Tre holds many eco-tourism advantages.

"We are proposing to take over this center from General Dong Nai Rubber Company to develop it to its full potential," Quang said.