Ngoc Son Princess Residence in Hue: Ancient Beauty of Garden Houses and the Imprint of a Nguyen Dynasty Princess

Princess Ngoc Son, whose real name was Nguyen Phuoc Hy Hy (1886–1905), was the daughter of King Dong Khanh – the 8th emperor of the Nguyen Dynasty (1885–1889). She married Commander Nguyen Huu Tien, son of Grand Secretary of Dong Cac Nguyen Huu Thang, a respected high official in the royal court. However, the princess's life was short, as she passed away at the age of 20 after giving birth to a daughter, leaving deep sorrow for her family and the people of the capital.

In 1921, to commemorate his ill-fated first wife, Royal Consort Nguyen Huu Tien built the Ngoc Son Princess Worship Residence on a plot of land of nearly 2,400 m² in the ancient Gia Hoi area, east of the Hue Citadel. Serving not only as a place of worship for the princess, the residence was also the living space for the royal consort, his second wife – Princess Cong Ton Nu Thi Tran, and their seven children. Experiencing over 90 years of historical changes, the garden house is still preserved almost intact thanks to the dedication of generations of descendants, especially Mrs. Nguyen Thi Suong (granddaughter of the royal consort) and her husband – researcher Phan Thuan An.

Although not directly part of the royal palace system, Ngoc Son Princess Worship Residence is closely linked to the history of the ancient capital. This place not only preserves memories of a talented yet ill-fated princess, but is also considered a rare 'family library' containing thousands of ancient books in multiple languages. Precious artifacts such as Khai Dinh era medals, bone 'xam huong' game sets, custom-ordered Chinese ceramics, intricately carved tea trays... are still present today, creating the unique cultural value and special charm of Ngoc Son Residence.

Ngoc Son Princess Worship Residence is an exemplar of Hue garden house architecture, strongly imbued with traditional features yet influenced by Western styles during the reign of King Khai Dinh. The main structure consists of a double building with:

• Front hall: Consisting of three bays with brick porch pillars plastered with lime mortar and painted yellow, decorated in European style – a popular trend in Hue in the early 20th century.
• Main hall: Consisting of three main bays and two wing bays, built in the traditional Hue wooden house (nha ruong) style with overlapping flat tile roofs, wooden frame, four rows of columns in each direction, and refined carved details such as horizontal lacquered boards and Han character couplets. Mortar relief decorations featuring the theme 'dragons transforming from clouds' create a majestic yet intimate beauty.

The house is designed facing away from the street, with the main facade facing West, to create a quiet space avoiding noise and dust. Instead of the triple-arched gate characteristic of other worship residences, the entrance to the garden house opens from the back, winding through two rows of Chinese tea hedges and betel palms, bringing a soft and graceful feeling. In front of the house is a moderate rockery acting as a protective screen (tien an) according to feng shui, beside a shallow pond with water lilies, white and red lotuses, creating an elegant space characteristic of Hue.

The 2,370 m² garden grounds are enclosed by green bamboo hedges, straight betel palm rows, and fruit trees like mangosteen and green-fleshed pomelo (thanh tra), along with vibrant ornamental flowers. Two large rocks at the two gable ends of the front hall symbolize 'left dragon, right tiger' – important feng shui elements in Hue architecture. The pond in front of the house serves as the 'bright hall' (minh duong), bringing harmony between humans and nature. All together create a serene living space reflecting the East Asian philosophy of balance and harmony.

Ngoc Son Princess Worship Residence is not only an architectural work but also a 'living museum' of Hue's culture and people. Under the care of researcher Phan Thuan An's family, this place has become an academic exchange point, attracting history researchers and lovers of Hue culture. Precious artifacts, from family heirlooms to ancient manuscripts, are carefully preserved, helping visitors better understand the lifestyle and spiritual values of ancient Hue people.

Ngoc Son Princess Worship Residence is one of the representative garden houses listed for preservation by Thua Thien Hue province. In 2017, the structure was restored with a budget of over 750 million VND from the Hue Garden House Protection and Development Support Fund, helping to preserve its ancient beauty and enhance its appeal to tourists.

Visitors coming here can not only admire the unique architecture but also have the opportunity to experience activities such as:

• Touring the nha ruong (traditional wooden house): Learn about the layout of the worship space according to the principle of 'Buddha in front, ancestors behind.'
• Exploring history: Listen to stories about the life of Princess Ngoc Son and tales associated with the Nguyen Dynasty.
• Enjoying Hue cuisine: Combine traditional culinary experiences or herbal foot soaks made from leaves harvested right in the garden.

Before visiting the Ngoc Son Princess Residence, visitors should know some basic information about directions, opening hours, and visiting notes to make the journey smoother and more complete. Below is a detailed visiting guide for you.

• Address: 31 Nguyen Chi Thanh, Phu Hiep Ward, Hue City.
• How to get there: From Hue Imperial Citadel, pass through Thuong Tu Gate, turn left onto Tran Hung Dao Street, cross Dong Ba Market and Gia Hoi Bridge, turn left onto Bach Dang Street, reach the foot of Dong Ba Bridge, turn right onto Nguyen Chi Thanh Street, and go about 200m to arrive.
• Opening hours: Usually open during fixed hours; visitors should contact the host in advance to confirm.
• Ticket price: Not a public sightseeing spot; a contribution fee or donation may be required.

Note: Wear comfortable shoes, prepare a hat or umbrella if it is sunny, and bring small change for convenience when making contributions.

Ngoc Son Princess Worship Residence is not only an ancient architectural work but also preserves the 'soul' of Hue—the elegance, subtlety, and quiet contemplation that permeate every house corner and garden plot. The space here brings visitors a sense of peace, as if detached from the hurried pace of life, to listen to and feel more clearly the breath of history, cultural depth, and the beauty of the people of the ancient capital. With the dedicated preservation efforts of researcher Phan Thuan An's family, Ngoc Son Residence today stands out as a special highlight on the journey to explore Hue. If you wish to fully discover the system of Hue garden houses, Sovaba Travel currently provides garden house sightseeing tours, taking you to heritage sites tied to the flow of royal history and culture. Contact the Sovaba Travel hotline 0934.733.223 now for advice and tour bookings, unlocking a journey to discover a Hue that is both familiar and new.