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To say that my visit to An Hien garden house during my recent trip to Central Vietnam was purely coincidental isn't entirely accurate. Two years ago, while watching the movie "Em and Trinh," I was captivated by the peaceful and ancient beauty of the house where the two sisters, Bich Diem and Dao Anh, lived. At that moment, I secretly promised myself that if I ever returned to Hue, I would definitely take the time to explore this unique garden house architecture.
And then, fate brought me back to the ancient capital after two years filled with nostalgia. On this trip to Hue, I was determined to make my long-held dream a reality. After visiting other famous landmarks such as the Imperial Citadel, An Dinh Palace, Tu Hieu Pagoda, Phu Cam Church, Thuy Xuan incense village, Dong Khanh Mausoleum... I dedicated an afternoon to visiting An Hien Garden House and Thien Mu Pagoda.
An Hien Garden House is located on the north bank of the Perfume River, in the Kim Long area.
An Hien Garden House - The quintessential beauty of Hue architecture
An Hien Garden House is situated on a spacious 4,608 m² plot of land.2With its symmetrical square shape, the main facade faces south. Opposite the house, the romantic Perfume River meanders like a soft silk ribbon, adding to the picturesque landscape.
Listening to the tour guide's explanation, I understood even more the special meaning of the name "An Hien". The two words "An Hien" may seem simple, but they contain a profound wish of the homeowner: a desire for a peaceful life under the roof of their ancient home.
An Hien Garden House was once chosen as a setting for a film about musician Trinh Cong Son.
As soon as I stepped through the ancient, moss-covered archway built of brick and mortar, I felt as if I had entered a completely different world. I sensed an atmosphere of peace and tranquility enveloping the place. The gentle, refined beauty of Hue's garden architecture unfolded before my eyes, captivating me with its elegance and grace. The chirping of birds and the rustling of leaves blended together, creating a soothing, melodious symphony.
An Hien's garden is surrounded by lush, rustling green trees, creating a peaceful and tranquil atmosphere. Along the approximately 34-meter-long dirt path leading to the garden, I admired two rows of towering green trees intertwined in layers, creating a dreamy and vibrant scene.
The ancient, moss-covered archway, built of brick and mortar, belongs to the An Hien garden house.
After passing through the gate, I came across an antique screen decorated with the character "壽" (Shou - meaning longevity) - a symbol of long life and good fortune. This screen plays an important role in the feng shui of the garden, helping to prevent bad luck from entering the house.
Continuing further inside, a rectangular lotus pond, built according to the feng shui principles of traditional garden architecture, unfolds. The lotus pond not only adds a focal point to the landscape but also symbolizes elegance, purity, and peace.
A dirt road, approximately 34 meters long, leads to the An Hien garden house.
The tour guide shared: “The screen is to shield and protect the house from negative influences from the outside. From the outside, you can't see inside, but from inside, you can see outside, even the Perfume River on the other side. And feng shui always goes hand in hand; a screen must have a pond. The pond gathers the spiritual energy and essence of heaven and earth to dispel negative energy and support the ancestral altar in the central room of the house. These are two indispensable feng shui elements in Hue garden house architecture. However, the An Hien garden house is particularly special because of the gracefully curved screen, resembling the dragonfly-winged hat of a military official.”
In addition, surrounding the house is a vast garden filled with all kinds of fruit trees from all over. Under the rustling green canopy, winding paths led me to explore every corner of the garden. Rows of trees laden with fruit such as sweet lychees, fragrant mangosteens, golden jackfruit, refreshing pomelos, and vibrant red dragon fruit... all were carefully planted and tended.
Screens and ponds are two indispensable feng shui elements in Hue's garden architecture.
A small, tree-lined path leads to the An Hien garden house.
The dreamy atmosphere of Hue is subtly present in every corner of the An Hien garden house.
Standing out amidst the lush green garden is the traditional 135-square-meter house.2Standing tall and majestic, the house bears the distinctive architectural style of Hue's traditional houses. Designed with a three-bay, two-wing structure, it embodies balance and harmony, adhering to the ancient principle of "warm in winter, cool in summer."
The main hall, located in the center, is solemnly decorated and serves as a place for worshipping ancestors and deities. The two side halls are used for receiving guests, family gatherings, and communal activities. The two wings of the house are clearly divided: the left wing is for the men's living quarters, and the right wing is for the women's living quarters.
The main feature is a traditional wooden house located in the center of the garden, covering an area of 135 square meters.
The house frame is made entirely of precious wood, with the main pillars and beams intricately carved with traditional patterns. The meticulous and graceful carvings showcase the skill of ancient carpenters and also symbolize good fortune and peace for the homeowner.
The roof is covered with multiple layers of interlocking yin-yang tiles, creating a sturdy and waterproof structure. The roof's peak is decorated with a lotus flower, symbolizing elegance and purity, while the sides feature dragons, representing power and majesty.
The central room is the place of worship.
The horizontal plaque bears the four characters "Van Vo Trung Hieu" (Loyalty and Filial Piety in Literature and Martial Arts) by Emperor Bao Dai.
Stepping into the ancient traditional house at An Hien Garden, I felt as if I had traveled back in time to the cultural and historical values of the Nguyen Dynasty. This place preserves countless precious ancient artifacts, a testament to the prosperity and brilliance of a golden age.
The most striking feature is the horizontal plaque bearing the four characters "Văn Võ Trung Hiếu" (Literary and Martial Loyalty and Filial Piety), proudly displayed in the central hall. This plaque was bestowed upon the family by Emperor Bảo Đại in 1937 as a tribute to their noble moral qualities and significant contributions to the imperial court.
Antique wooden tables and chairs in a traditional house.
The house contains many precious artifacts from the royal court.
Furthermore, the interior of the traditional Vietnamese house is adorned with exquisite and precious antique furnishings. From intricately carved wooden tables and chairs, to gleaming mother-of-pearl inlaid tea cabinets, and tea sets bearing the marks of time, everything exudes an antique and luxurious beauty. All objects are neatly and harmoniously arranged according to the feng shui principles of traditional Vietnamese architecture, creating an elegant and refined living space.
After admiring the ancient beauty of the house, we gathered around a cup of fragrant tea, listening to the tour guide enthusiastically recount the long history of An Hien Garden House.
A tea set from the late 19th century.
According to the tour guide, An Hien Garden House was built in the late 19th century and was once the residence of the 18th princess of Emperor Duc Duc. Later, in 1895, the property was transferred to Mr. Pham Dang Khanh, the son of a high-ranking official during the Gia Long era.
In 1920, Mr. Khanh sold the house and garden to Mr. Tung Le, a wealthy man known for his benevolent nature. By 1936, the house and garden officially belonged to the Governor of Ha Tinh province, Mr. Nguyen Dinh Chi. After Mr. Chi's death in 1940, his wife, Dao Thi Xuan Yen, continued to manage and maintain the house.
This room houses the mementos of Mrs. Dao Thi Xuan Yen.
Later, An Hien Garden House was inherited by Phan Thi Hoang Oanh's daughter-in-law and four grandchildren. Through the ups and downs of time, the garden house has retained its ancient and peaceful beauty, becoming a popular destination for tourists visiting Hue.
An Hien Garden House is a favorite photo-checking spot for many young people.
