Among Hue monuments complex Hon Chen palace involved in many legends. It had been said that this palace first had the name as Hoan Chen with the meaning of restoring cup. Minh Mang King visited here and lost his jade cup by dropping into Huong (Perfume) river, suddenly a turtle emerged from the water and gave it back to the King. But in formal documents the name of this palace was “Ngoc Tran Son Tu” (The palace on Ngoc Tran mountain). Under Dong Khanh reign (1886 – 1888), this palace was renamed to “Hue Nam Dien” (with the meaning is bringing favor to the King of Southern country) and it also attached with many other legends. Through many years people have called it as Hon Chen or Hoan Chen palace.

 

Hon Chen palace was a place worshiping Ponagar Goddess of Cham people. According to Cham people’ s tale, Ponagar is daughter of Jade Emperor who ask her create the world, rice and many kind of agar wood. Then the Viet people continue worshipping her under the name Thanh Mau Thien Y A Na (Thien Y A Na Goddess).

 

From 1954 Lieu Hanh princess who is know as Van Huong Thanh Mau (Van Huong Goddess) was also worshipped here. Quan Cong, Buddha and more than 100 disciples were worshipped at Hon Chen palace. Under the King Ming Mang’s order Hon Chen palace was repaired and enlarged on March 1832.

 

Hon Chen palace is a stunning architectural relic placed on poetic beautiful landscape. A mountain range runs from Truong Son‘s foot to Hue’s plain then stopped by a river reach at right upstream. It makes an isolated mountain with luxuriant woods, here is also the deepest point of Huong river. Because of splendid landscape Ngoc Tran mountain was chosen to build a temple.

 

There is a low land on mountain’s peak with few meter of diameter, surrounded by erected stone circle like well’s curb, thus it was named  as Ngoc Tran (Jade cup mountain) and the locals have called it as Hon Chen. The main hall called Minh Kinh Dai in the middle, Quan Cu house, Trinh Cat institute, Thanh pagoda situate on the right. The Goddess palace, mandarins and Tiger’s altar on the left. Minh Kinh Dai was built in 1886 under Dong Khanh reign. Beside the religious value, Hon Chen palace is one of attractive sightseeings especially on the festival on March and July.