Introduction
Hue tourism is renowned not only for its royal palaces and delicious local cuisine but also for its unique garden houses. Among these, An Hien Garden House is notable for providing a clean, green living space next to the tranquil Perfume River. Moreover, An Hiên features a distinctive traditional architectural style that reflects the elegant lifestyle of the people of Hue in the past.
In this article, Hue Top Tours will present a variety of fascinating facts about An Hien Garden House to help visitors appreciate this architectural gem more deeply. Additionally, this information will help visitors learn more about the culture, lifestyle, and people of this ancient capital.
An Hiên Garden House Location
Address: 58 Nguyen Phuc Nguyen Street, Thuan Hoa Ward, Hue City.
The An Hien Ancient House is situated facing the beautiful Perfume River, allowing it to benefit from refreshing breezes that help regulate the house’s temperature. Its proximity to a water source also makes it an ideal location for cultivating a variety of delicious fruit trees. Coming here, visitors can not only explore the garden’s artistry but also enjoy seasonal fruits.
In addition, An Hien is conveniently located near many other tourist attractions in Hue City, including Thien Mu Pagoda, the Hue Imperial Citadel, Truong Tien Bridge, and Nguyen Hoang Bridge. This makes it easy for visitors to combine their visit to An Hien Garden House with other nearby attractions for a more complete travel experience.
How To Get To An Hien Ancient House From Hue City?
According to Google Maps, the distance from the center of Hue to An Hien Garden House is approximately 5 km. This means that tourists staying at hotels in the city can easily plan a visit to An Hien.
To reach An Hien from the city center, follow Le Loi Street until you reach Bui Thi Xuan Street. After crossing Da Vien Bridge, turn left onto Kim Long Street and continue straight until you reach the Nguyen Hoang Bridge roundabout. From there, proceed along Nguyen Phuc Nguyen Street and look for house number 58, which will lead you to An Hien Garden House.
Given the short distance, tourists have various transportation options, including taxis, Grab, motorbikes, and private cars. Each option has its own advantages and disadvantages, so travelers should choose the mode of transport that best suits their needs and budget.
Additionally, travelers arriving at Phu Bai International Airport can book the Hue Airport Transfer service from Hue Top Tours to visit An Hien Garden before heading to their hotel. By reserving our private car service, you will be picked up and dropped off at your chosen time. Plus, you will be accompanied by an experienced local driver, ensuring a safe and convenient journey.
Besides, you can explore other attractive services we offer during your stay in Hue, including:
- Hue To Ba Na Hills Private Car – 95 USD/sedan
- Hue To La Vang Holy By Car – 50 USD/sedan
- Private Car Hue To Dong Hoi – 87 USD/sedan
- Hue Imperial City Walking Tour – 21 USD/pax
- Hue City Tour For Muslim
- Perfume River Sunset Cruise Tour – 54 USD/pax
An Hien Garden House Entrance Fee And Operation Hour
An Hien Ancient House is regarded as one of the most beautiful traditional garden houses in Hue City. Each year, this destination attracts millions of visitors, both domestic and international. The garden house provides a sense of peace and nostalgia, thanks to its ancient architecture and lush green spaces.
Plus, the Hien Ancient House is open from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, allowing visitors to plan their trips accordingly. Besides, it is recommended to combine visits to multiple attractions for a more enjoyable experience, such as pairing An Hien Ancient House with Thien Mu Pagoda and the Hue Imperial Citadel.
Despite being a popular tourist attraction, the entrance fee for An Hien is relatively low, at just 20,000 VND per person. This price allows visitors to freely explore the grounds and admire artifacts that were gifted by the Nguyen Dynasty kings to the homeowner in the past. Additionally, visitors can take souvenir photos in the traditional house’s ancient atmosphere and appreciate its unique architecture.
History Of An Hien Garden House In Hue
Built in the late 19th century, An Nhien Garden House retains its original beauty. Despite its name, An Hien, the house has a rich history characterized by several changes in ownership.
- The house’s history begins with its first owner, the 18th princess of King Duc Duc.
- In 1895, An Hien Garden House was transferred to Mr. Pham Dang Khanh, the son of a high-ranking official during the reign of King Gia Long.
- In 1920, ownership passed to Mr. Tung Le, a well-known, wealthy figure in the region.
- The following transfer occurred in 1936 when An Hien was sold to Mr. Nguyen Dinh Chi, the Governor of Ha Tinh Province.
- After his death in 1940, his wife, Mrs. Dao Thi Xuan Yen, managed the house until it was eventually passed down to the current owner, Mrs. Phan Thi Hoang Oanh, and her four grandchildren.
An Hien Ancient House, covering 4,068 m², is notable for its architecture that emphasizes Eastern feng shui and the traditional Hue garden-house style. Its primary function is as a worship space, so the design has been thoughtfully crafted to embody high aesthetic value and reflect local culture.
Best Time To Visit Hue Garden House
Hue experiences two distinct seasons: the dry and rainy seasons. Each season, An Hien Garden House offers its own unique beauty, and the ideal time to visit depends on individual preferences. Here are the characteristics of each season to help you decide when to visit.
Dry Season (March – August)
During the summer, An Hien showcases an elegant and vibrant beauty under the sunlight. The dry, clean pathways stand out against the backdrop of lush green wildflowers leading directly to the traditional Vietnamese wooden house.
This season, fruit trees such as jackfruit, star apple, and pomelo are flourishing, providing shade throughout the garden. Sunlight filters through the trees, illuminating the traditional house and highlighting its distinctive architecture.
Rainy Season (September – February)
The rainy season in Hue can be lengthy, featuring everything from heavy downpours to gentle drizzles, creating a tranquil, nostalgic atmosphere. Unlike in the dry season, the path to the house becomes somewhat slippery due to layers of moss, enhancing the garden’s ancient charm.
Besides, the dark wooden structure of the house, under an overcast sky, bears the hallmarks of time. During this season, An Hien Ancient House takes on a quiet demeanor, evoking the melancholic beauty for which Hue is known.
What Makes An Hien Garden House Outstanding?
Garden Campus
Visitors stepping through the wooden gate are welcomed by a spacious garden featuring two rows of mature apricot trees that provide shade. Clean, tiled paths invite leisurely strolls through this tranquil space, where the subtle fragrance of flowers wafts.
After walking through the corridor of apricot trees, visitors will encounter a majestic screen, which is a distinctive feature of Hue. It wards off evil spirits and marks the boundary between everyday life and sacred space. Notably, this screen is shaped like the character “Thọ” (longevity), with “Song Hỷ” (double happiness) flanking it, symbolizing the welcome of good fortune for the homeowners.
Next, directly behind the screen lies a large rectangular pond dedicated to the cultivation of lotus flowers, water lilies, and various aquatic plants. This pond not only adds a soft, aesthetic charm to the garden but also helps regulate the air temperature. Many visitors to An Hien often choose this picturesque spot for impressive artistic photographs.
The Ancient House’s Architecture
One of the highlights of garden houses is the unique traditional Hue wooden house. Covering 135 square meters, the house consists of three main bays and two side wings, all designed in a simple, rustic style. The main section is dedicated to worship, while the two side sections are used for receiving guests, in keeping with the standards of a Hue garden house.
During the tour, visitors will notice that the entire structure is made of wood, with intricately carved beams and rafters. Additionally, the multi-layered roof is adorned with lotus and dragon motifs. This design showcases the house’s aesthetic value and reflects the richness of local culture.
Admire the Treasured Memorabilia
An Hien Ancient House is renowned for both its architecture and its valuable artifacts from the Nguyen Dynasty, including the “Van Vo Trung Hieu” plaque granted by King Bao Dao in 1937. Further, the reception area features poems by King Thanh Thai and ancient calligraphy. These artifacts are not only historically significant but also highlight the house’s cultural richness.
Additionally, the furnishings in the house are deliberately decorated and arranged according to feng shui principles. Upon entering, visitors will notice a variety of antique items, including tea cabinets, altars, and wooden tables, all arranged in harmony. A walk through the house evokes a sense of nostalgia, peace, and tranquility, inviting reflections on a serene past.
Exotic Fruits and Flowers Garden
A Hien Garden is designed with an ecological approach, featuring a diverse assortment of specialty fruit trees, including lychees, dragon fruit, pomelos, longans, and figs. Regardless of the season, you’ll have the opportunity to enjoy these seasonal fruits. Under the cool, green space, you can experience the delicious, sweet flavors of fruits like never before.
Additionally, An Hien Ancient House provides a beautiful setting for flower enthusiasts. As you walk through the flower gardens, you can admire blooms such as roses, jasmine, and camellias. These flowers not only add vibrant color to the landscape but also release a refreshing fragrance with every gentle breeze, creating a comfortable, relaxing atmosphere for all visitors.
Savour Folk Music & Hue Traditional Cake
Visitors to An Hien Garden House in Hue should not miss the traditional folk music performances held daily from 9:00 to 10:15 AM and 3:00 to 4:15 PM. These performances take place in the garden and feature Hue folk songs, along with traditional instruments such as the zither and moon lute.
In addition, visitors can savor Banh In, a traditional cake that was once enjoyed by the royal family. This rectangular cake is adorned with characters for “Longevity” and “Happiness,” printed on its surface and wrapped in colored paper, symbolizing good fortune. Historically, this type of cake was exclusive to the royal court and was a common snack item for the Emperor.
Travel Tips
- An Hien Garden House is a place of worship, so visitors should dress appropriately by avoiding revealing or offensive attire. For an authentic experience of local culture, consider renting a traditional Vietnamese áo dài.
- Additionally, the garden areas in Hue have uneven surfaces, so it’s important to wear comfortable shoes for an enjoyable tour. If you are visiting during the rainy season, choose shoes with non-slip soles for added safety.
- Besides, to capture the best photos, plan your visit during the sunny season.
- Plus, please be a responsible tourist: dispose of trash properly and adhere to the visiting regulations of An Hien Garden House.
Conclusion
In summary, An Hien Garden House in Hue is a captivating and noteworthy tourist destination located near the city center that you shouldn’t miss. Here, you can take a moment to relax, enjoy the fresh air, and appreciate the fragrant scent of flowers. You can also listen to traditional Hue court music and savor the local specialty, Bánh In (a type of Vietnamese cake).
We hope this article provides you with a deeper and more comprehensive understanding of An Hien Garden House. If you have the opportunity to visit Hue, make sure to include this destination alongside the Imperial Citadel and the Royal Tombs in your travel itinerary. Hue Top Tours thank you for taking the time to read our article.