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Cultural characteristics of Hue such as its cuisine, royal court music and royal architecture are being exploited effectively. Besides, the garden house is a typical and unique characteristic, contributing to the greater beauty of Hue.
Yet, Hue garden houses seem to have been forgotten. Many garden houses have disappeared and researchers are warning that if there are no suitable solutions, Hue garden houses won’t exist in the future. Garden houses began two hundred years ago, during the Nguyen dynasty in the former capital city, Hue. While the royal family lived in the palace, many other royal relatives lived in private residences or smaller palaces in villages such as Nguyet Kieu, Vy Da and Kim Long. They were aristocracy, enjoying gifts of land and gardens across the city.
Owners of the garden houses used strict rules of geomancy to build houses. 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, usually bearing legends or being planted with jasmine to 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.
The houses are solemn and bear an old atmosphere removed from modern life. The houses have elegance and soul, and love for art of the owner. Houses turn their backs on the road for two reasons, firstly good direction choice, suitable to the owner’s age and an escape from the noise and effervescent atmosphere of urban life. The houses are divided into three spaces: the left for men and the right for women, and in the middle an altar to pray Buddha or ancestors.
From thousands of houses in 1995 to 115 houses in 2001 and there are now only 50 houses. Several houses were rebuilt with cement. Most garden houses disappeared under the weight of progress. Owner’s houses sold parts of their houses to build more modern dwellings. Several were rebuilt as restaurants or Karaoke bars. Therefore, the number of garden houses is getting smaller and researchers are warning that if there are no suitable solutions, garden houses will soon disappear.
In Hoi An, a world cultural heritage, not far from Hue, people have well maintained their old houses. As owners of such old houses as Diep Dong Nguyen and Tan Ky could regularly receive financial and technical support to preserve the traditional architecture. They have attracted a great number of tourists and eared a good living by collecting fees and selling souvenirs.
The tourism industry can learn from these experiences to preserve Hue garden houses. Tourism agencies should co-ordinate with owners of garden houses to open more tours, besides traditional tours to castles, and palaces, to attract tourists’ attention. This can help the owners of these houses earn money to protect their houses. This is just a suggestion as it needs coordination among many related agencies, but a suitable solution is needed to protect Hue garden houses.
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