Thieu Phuong Garden: A Peaceful Haven and the Essence of Ancient Hue Garden Art

The history of Thieu Phuong Garden is closely linked with the prosperous period of the Nguyen Dynasty, starting in the 9th year of Minh Mang's reign (1828). Emperor Minh Mang had the garden built in the eastern part of the Purple Forbidden City, just inside the Hung Khanh Gate, with its main gate facing south toward Duyet Thi Duong – the place for royal art performances. From then on, the garden became a serene space for the emperor to rest, reflect, and practice the philosophy of harmony between 'heaven - earth - human'.

By 1841, under the reign of Emperor Thieu Tri, Thieu Phuong Garden entered its most glorious era. During nearly three years of mourning, the emperor turned Hoang Phuc Palace into a living and administrative hub, while constructing several new features: the octagonal Nhan Thanh Bat Bieu pavilion, Lien Tri lotus pond, and Trung Quang Ta waterside pavilion (formerly Luong Dinh Dieu Ngu) beside Ngoc Dich Lake. This was also a period when the garden witnessed many historical milestones, including the hiding of Emperor Minh Mang's treasure of over 39,964 silver ingots, equivalent to 15 tons, in secret pits within the premises.

However, from the reign of Emperor Dong Khanh (1886 – 1889), political turbulence and the 'Four Months, Three Kings' period led to the gradual dismantling of the garden. By 1896, during the reign of Thanh Thai, Hoang Phuc Palace was dismantled, leaving Thieu Phuong Garden in a deserted state for nearly a century. Nevertheless, the Van Tu Hoi Lang (Swastika-shaped Covered Gallery) architecture remained intact, serving as a vital foundation for later restoration efforts.

Entering the 21st century, Thieu Phuong Garden began its revival. Starting in 2002, the Hue Monuments Conservation Center, in collaboration with the New Arts Association (France), organized scientific workshops based on archaeological results from 1999–2002 to undertake reconstruction. Today, although covering only about two-thirds of its original area, the garden has been restored and adapted, serving as a vivid testament to the enduring vitality of Hue's heritage through the ups and downs of history.

What creates the timeless charm of Thieu Phuong Garden is the Van Tu Hoi Lang architecture, a rare masterwork of spatial planning featuring a gently curving Swastika shape, radiating from the center like four arms embracing the green space. Unlike ordinary covered galleries, this structure was built systematically right from the reign of Emperor Minh Mang, creating a unified whole that skillfully applied the technique of 'Vien trung huu vien' (gardens within a garden), dividing the space into subtle smaller gardens while maintaining harmonious connections.

The covered gallery connects four structures at the four corners, each boasting its own charm:

• Cam Xuan Duong (northeast): opens to the north overlooking Ngoc Dich Lake, where the shimmering water reflects the sky and clouds.
• Vinh Phuong Hien (southeast): faces Tieu Huu Thien Lake, welcoming the vibrant morning light from the east.
• Di Nhien Duong (southwest): located near the main gate, exuding a peaceful and quiet atmosphere.
• Ham Xuan Hien (northwest): faces the Ngu Cau stream and Hoang Phuc Palace – a central structure of which only archaeological traces remain today.

The natural landscape was arranged like perfect 'brushstrokes' in an overall painting: the winding Ngu Cau stream to the west of the gallery flows into Ngoc Dich Lake; the Trich Thuy Son miniature mountain on the east bank creates depth recalling mountains and rivers; the Lien Tri lotus pond glows across the four seasons, accented by the square Minh Dat Tu Thong pavilion. Most prominent was once Hoang Phuc Palace, a 5-compartment, 2-wing building with yellow-glazed tile roofing – the heart of the garden, which is now only represented by archaeological foundations.

The art of Hue gardens here reaches exquisite mastery in blending the natural and the artificial. Bonsai plants, plum blossoms, lotuses, chrysanthemums, and peonies were meticulously shaped; weeping willows sway gracefully like human silhouettes; floral colors shift with the seasons, creating a dynamic, ever-changing picture. Archaeological findings show an east-west axis measuring 14.5m (bent at 8.4m) and an asymmetrical south-north axis (south wing 16m, north wing 9.1m), all reflecting the sophistication of feng shui principles in Nguyen Dynasty royal garden design.

Thieu Phuong Garden is not just a physical space, but also a profound cultural symbol where Nguyen Dynasty emperors embedded their philosophies of life and governance. Emperor Thieu Tri ranked the garden as the "second landscape" among the "Twenty Scenery of the Capital" and "Ten Scenery of the Palace". Notably, his imperial poem "Vinh Thieu Phuong Van" is a masterpiece describing the garden's vast beauty: "Lush flowers and grass, thriving peaches and plums, abundant books and literature", emphasizing the role of learning and nature in nurturing the royal mind.

In royal life, the garden was a venue for relaxation, sightseeing, and reflection. Activities such as viewing flowers, fishing by Trung Quang Ta, or enjoying performances at the nearby Duyet Thi Duong demonstrated the refined pastimes of monarchs. It also held feng shui significance: the SWASTIKA shape symbolized longevity and luck, helping to balance yin and yang within the Purple Forbidden City.

Today, Thieu Phuong Garden continues to serve as a cultural inspiration, featuring activities such as bonsai art experiences and feng shui commentary, helping visitors gain a deeper understanding of Hue's heritage.

After more than a century of neglect, Thieu Phuong Garden was "revived" thanks to conservation projects by the Hue Monuments Conservation Center. Since 2002, based on historical and archaeological documents, Van Tu Hoi Lang was reconstructed, despite some modifications compared to the original (such as the length of the gallery axis). The garden is now replanted with traditional flower varieties: radiant yellow plum in spring, gentle lotus in summer, bright golden chrysanthemum in autumn, and regal peony in winter, creating a green and clean ecological space.

As part of the Complex of Hue Monuments – a UNESCO World Heritage site, the garden attracts thousands of visitors each year, contributing to Hue's green tourism. However, challenges remain: climate change and urbanization require adaptive conservation solutions, such as collecting rare plant varieties and educating the community.

To make your visit to Thieu Phuong Garden complete, drop by early in the morning or late in the afternoon when the gentle sunlight highlights the ancient greenery. Tickets to the Imperial City of Hue are around 200,000 VND per adult, which includes entry to the garden (purchased at the main gate). Travel by bicycle or walk from Duyet Thi Duong to feel the royal atmosphere.

Don't forget to bring a camera to capture Van Tu Hoi Lang from different angles, or join a guided tour to hear stories about Thieu Tri's poetry. Combine it with nearby Ngoc Dich Lake for a perfect one-day itinerary. Remember to keep the area clean and respect the monument, as every step you take helps preserve ancient Hue garden art.

Thieu Phuong Garden is not only an ancient garden, but also a reflection of the architectural essence, aesthetics, and life philosophy of the Nguyen Dynasty. Amidst the rhythm of modern life, stepping into this garden is like finding a quiet, peaceful space where nature and human spirit harmonize in exquisite balance. If you come to Hue to admire magnificent mausoleums and palaces, Thieu Phuong Garden is a stopping point for the soul to listen to the whispers of history and feel the rustic yet sophisticated beauty of royal garden culture. On your journey to explore the ancient capital, do not forget to visit this place to discover a different Hue: solemn, profound, yet full of life.