Two thatch-roofed houses elevated on wood columns at Mai Chau

Two thatch-roofed houses elevated on wood columns at Mai Chau

Two thatch-roofed houses elevated on wood columns at Mai Chau provide excellent examples of highland village house construction. A person works in the shade under the house in the rear. Hand-hewn wooden walls, columns, shutter doors, and entrance ladders indicate that this is an older and fairly permanent village center where such labor and materials will be expended.

Traditionally, most Southeast Asian houses were elevated to provide a measure of protection from wet ground, wild animals, or human intruders. In some areas. livestock and tools are stored under the house.