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Speaking of the ancient capital Huế, alongside its famous landmarks, one cannot overlook its exquisite gardens. The architectural marvels of Huế's gardens boast a history spanning over 200 years since the Nguyen dynasty.
When touring Huế, make sure to explore the mesmerizing gardens.
The gardens were once the retreats of emperors, queens, princes, and mandarins, constructed over various historical periods. Alongside the tombs, palaces, citadels, these gardens epitomize the essence of the imperial city, adding to the unique allure of Huế.
Mentioning Huế's gardens would be incomplete without acknowledging the mansion of Princess Ngọc Sơn nestled within a vast 2,000 m² garden, along Nguyễn Chí Thanh Street. It remains one of the few preserved houses, retaining its original charm through five generations.
The owners of this estate, researcher Phan Thuận An and his wife Nguyễn Thị Sương, reveal: This was Princess Ngọc Sơn's residence, daughter of King Đồng Khánh. According to historical records, when the princess got married, her father granted her a plot of land to build her mansion. Nguyễn Thị Sương is the granddaughter of Princess Ngọc Sơn. The entire estate was meticulously crafted following Eastern Feng Shui principles, featuring elements like the front screen (bình phong), bright corridors (hồ nước), and the main house structured in the form of a traditional rường house, exuding an aura of solemnity and antiquity.
Especially at this house, many artifacts of Princess Ngoc Son's family are still preserved, such as royal seals, delicately crafted toys, Chinese porcelain dating back around 500 years. An ancient and noble house, a vast garden filled with various fruit trees, accompanied by the fragrant scent of lotus flowers, will leave visitors with beautiful impressions, infused with a nostalgic charm, reminiscent of the ancient golden capital...
Amidst the vibrant crimson roses, the wild violet plum blossoms intermingle, while the alluring scent of jasmine lingers in the air, and graceful orchid branches sway in the breeze. The jackfruit tree laden with fruit, the Tiên Điền rose apple tree planted over 70 years ago by Mr. Nghè Mai, a close associate of the great poet Nguyễn Du, brought from his homeland as a gift to the owner, is now bearing fruit... A 500m² garden boasting a variety of fruit trees from all three regions of Vietnam... This is the renowned garden house - An Hiên garden (in Xuân Hòa hamlet, Hương Long commune, Huế city), which has served as a wellspring of inspiration for many writers when visiting Hue tourism.
This garden estate was originally owned by the 18th Princess of King Dục Đức, built before 1895. After passing through several other owners, it eventually came into the possession of Tuần vũ Nguyễn Đình Chi, married to Ms. Đào Thị Xuân Yến - who led the anti-French colonial protests of Đồng Khánh female students, later becoming the Principal of Đồng Khánh School and a Member of Parliament for the Democratic Republic of Vietnam.
The ancient house with its 3 bays and 2 lean-tos, featuring an archaic garden gate adorned with intricate and delicate floral motifs. Visiting An Hiên garden, tourists will experience a sense of tranquility, serenity, and lightness.
Visiting the Lạc Tịnh garden house on Phan Đình Phùng street, along the An Cựu river, besides encountering hosts deeply rooted in Hue culture, the structure of this complex of traditional houses helps visitors better understand the elegance, refinement, and studiousness of the people of Hue.
Within the garden compound are 4 adjacent houses. Each house has its own special name, closely associated with the owner's reality: the Benevolent House - where there are numerous flower pots and ornamental plants, also serving as the reception area for guests, moonlit appreciation, and charitable activities for the poor; the Scholar's House - for both work and relaxation of the owner; the House of Inner Peace and Physical Harmony - for the activities and studies of descendants, and a separate house dedicated to worship.
Lac Tranquil Garden spans over 2000 m², built by Hong Khang, the grandson of King Minh Mang in 1889. Hue boasts numerous renowned gardens such as Italian Thao Garden, Serene Home Garden, and the cluster of Phu Mong – Kim Long Gardens... These garden houses not only serve as ideal tourist spots, enchanting visitors each time they come to Hue but also serve as the soul of the ancient land, evoking nostalgia for a golden era, a glorious past not forgotten.
As reported by Vietnam Law Newspaper
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Reference: Mytour Travel Handbook
MytourAugust 7, 2015
