Impressions of the ancient and venerable Huế communal houses

The term 'communal house' originates from the 'ruong' and 'cot' used in the construction of houses in Huế. Huế communal houses reflect the cultural significance of dwelling places, places of worship, beliefs, and the soul of the people of this land.

Impressions of the ancient and venerable Huế communal houses

Unique heritage of Huế

Communal houses are not exclusive to Huế; they are found throughout the country. Nevertheless, when communal houses are mentioned, thoughts inevitably turn to Huế. For ages, both kings and commoners in Huế have resided in communal houses, with no other type of dwelling. Communal houses are cultural spaces, an integral and inseparable part of Huế's culture.

Huế communal houses represent a distinctive cultural achievement of this historic land, encompassing values from various fields: architecture, art, history, philosophy, religion, and beliefs...

Huế communal houses feature a system of columns and wooden rafters constructed according to specific standards. Whether large or small, these houses are structured with easily assembled and disassembled wooden joints and pegs. Particularly, the artistry of carving and inlaying is evident on the heads of rafters, beams, brackets, and partition walls.

Huế communal houses are designed in spacious and open spaces, connected with the natural environment and following feng shui principles, including gateways, walls, screens, ponds, courtyards, main houses, rock gardens, auxiliary houses, and gardens with trees...

In the ancient capital of Huế, from palaces, mansions, royal residences, to the houses of commoners, all belonged to the category of communal houses. Huế communal houses embody a solemn and warm lifestyle, blending with the distinctive elegance of the ancient royal land.

Huế communal houses are also wooden houses closely connected to gardens. The garden courtyard is intricately designed, not inferior to the main house. Although the structure may have a modest area, it forms a complete complex with the main house, gate, auxiliary house, ancestral shrine, and screen...

The arrangement of the house complex, whether in the style of the 'Dinh' character or the 'Khoau' character, is always enclosed and inward-facing. The main house - communal house always occupies a central position. Only those reaching the age of 'Fifty and three, heaven's decree' dare to build a communal house. Both the house and the garden are meticulously cared for, as the house represents the social status and position of the owner.

When talking about unique Huế communal houses today, one cannot overlook the name 'An Hien.' Originally the residence of an imperial official in the late 19th century, An Hien was purchased by the court official Nguyen Dinh Chi in 1934. Later, his wife, Mrs. Xuan Yen, transformed An Hien into a Hue-style garden, gaining fame through the writings of the author Hoang Phu Ngoc Tuong in the diary 'Flowers and Fruits Around Me.'

Huế people's life intertwined with communal houses

Communal houses are the embodiment of the simple, modest habits and lifestyle of the people of Huế. Strict conventions dictate that houses should not be grand like palaces, nor larger than those of kings and officials, with the arrangement reflecting social hierarchy.

Hence, a glance at communal houses reveals the owner's status. The remaining communal houses to this day are small, narrow, devoid of grandeur, and not intended to showcase wealth or nobility.

Humility is highly valued, and the lifestyle in Huế's communal houses reflects this. King Minh Mang stipulated that even the residences outside the imperial city, belonging to the wealthy, should not exceed 3 bays and 2 wings. Although this law was repealed after Minh Mang's reign, the tradition of modest living in communal houses persists. They build small houses with common materials, speak and move quietly within the communal houses, avoiding noise.

In addition to a robust system of columns and beams numbering at least 56, the main entrance system is distinctive. Entering a house, there is usually a screen or a lotus pond serving as a screen. One cannot step directly from the gateway into the house. The main entrance opens with a slanting wing to welcome the wind and facilitate air circulation. Inside, the columns divide functions, with the most important being the ancestral altar and a matching set of table and chairs.

The space in communal houses is not just the structure; it is the life of multiple generations. Activities vary with each season, with summer welcoming the breeze, autumn embracing sunlight, and winter providing warmth.

Lotus flowers are intimately tied to the communal houses, to the extent that each house must have a lotus pond. As a result, communal houses are as beautiful as poems, evoking thoughts about living close to nature—a trend in modern living spaces where house and garden design are inseparable.

Huế communal houses embody the beauty of feudal culture, still present in modern society. Experience Mytour's Huế tour to explore these culturally rich communal houses!

As per Mytour

***

Reference: Travel guide from Mytour