Apart from palaces, tombs, pagodas, temples... Hue is also famous for its garden-houses which are a unique feature of Hue. The houses are traditional, privately owned, and set in attractive formal gardens. The garden houses reflect this association. Each element is highly individual - house and garden, people and scenery, plants, clouds and water co-exist and blend with each other in a harmonious context. Owners of the garden houses used strict rules of geomancy to build house. All rations of the house, from the front gate to the back door were calculated carefully. The direction of the house was chosen carefully so that it can welcome winds and avoid ghosts and the harsh weather of the central region. Behind the front gate is a wind- screen that was made of bricks, jasmine is usually planted with prevent both wind and the curious eyes from outsiders. It also creates openness for the garden and reduces the separation between the house and its surroundings. Behind the wind-screen are rockworks or small ponds with lotus flowers. There are two rows of hibiscus, roses, and laurel along the path leading to the main house.
We would like to introduce some of famous garden house in Hue as following:
An Hien Garden House
An Hien Garden House is located in Xuan Hoa Village, Huong Long commune on an area of 4,608 sq.m. This was originally the residence of the 18th daughter of Duc Duc Emperor. After 1895, it was transferred to Mr. Pham Dang Thap, a son of a high-ranking mandarin under Gia Long reign. In 1920, this house was inherited by Mr. Tung Le. The last owner of this house was Mr. Nguyen Dinh Chi, a province chief. He moved into the residence in 1938. When he died, his wife, Mrs. Dao Thi Yen continued to live in this house.
An Hien Garden has been described as a fine, sharp, and unique work by many writers. In the garden, many kinds of flowers grow. An Hien Garden House is a special cultural characteristic contributing to the beauty of Hue. Entering the garden, you will have a feeling of living in a miniature universe, in a peaceful and charming world.
Ngoc Son Princess Garden house
Princess Ngoc Son was a daughter of Dong Khanh Emperor. When she got married, Dong Khanh Emperor granted her an area of 2,370 sq.m for building a private residence.
Ngoc Son Princess garden area has a wind-screen, rockwork, and a lotus pond. It was built relatively early and almost preserved intact by the descendant. The whole garden area is planned methodically in accordance with eastern geomancy rules including a wind-screen, a bright pond, and the position of attending dragon and lying tiger, etc.
Lac Tinh Garden house
Lac Tinh Garden was founded in 1889 by the poet Hong Khang. It is located on an area of 2,070 sq.m. in the former Duong Xuan village, now it is at 65 Phan Dinh Phung Street, Hue City. Lac Tinh Garden has a beautiful and cool setting with a symmetrical arrangement of two rows of hibiscuses, roses, laurel and ochna atropurpurea along the path leading to the house. Under the trees are small tables and chairs for enjoying the view and drinking tea. At the end of the path is a stylized book-shaped screen. With the structure of hexagonal beehive, the screen creates openness for the garden and reduces the separation between the house and the surrounding.
Y Thao Garden House
The owner of Y Thao Garden is an official in Thua Thien Hue cultural branch. This 1,300 sq.m garden was constructed fifty years ago. In the middle of the garden is a big rockwork arranged by stones and used as a screen. The two sides are two other small rockworks arranged as variations of Green Dragon and White Tiger.
With such value, Garden-houses are not only Hue tangible heritage, but also an intangible heritage in a high-end life of former Hue aristocrats that could be found nowhere, but Hue only garden-houses becomes an inseparable part of all itineraries for visitors to Hue city.