Before 1954, rural Northern Vietnamese garden houses were primarily built in the traditional one-story style and were divided into odd-numbered sections, such as five or three rooms with two side wings. They were typically made of wood and bamboo, with roofs covered in tiles or natural materials like straw, hay, palm leaves, or thatch. One of the standout features of Northern garden houses is that the outdoor space is always connected to the garden, creating a harmonious and airy living environment.

In addition, the main space in a Northern Vietnamese garden house is where the ancestor altar is placed, and it is positioned in the central section of the house. On either side are the living and sleeping areas for the family.

According to traditional beliefs, houses in the northern region of Vietnam often had a small pond in front or behind the house. It was believed that “Earth must have Water, just as the Dragon has Eyes,” meaning that land needs water for balance, creating harmony in the living space. When building a house, people often dug ponds to collect soil and mud, which were then used to lay the foundation or mixed with chopped straw to plaster the walls.

The architecture of garden houses in Hue also has its own unique features. It is a combination of natural elements and profound cultural and religious values. At the same time, garden houses in Hue often have a symmetrical layout, deeply influenced by royal culture and folk beliefs.

Overall, the layout of a garden house in Hue includes: the Main House, the Auxiliary House, the Dry Pond, the symbols of the White Tiger on the right and the Green Dragon on the left, the entrance, garden, fence, and gate.

The main house in traditional Hue garden house architecture is uniquely called “Nhà Rường.” Nhà Rường follows the style of traditional Vietnamese garden houses and originates from the Rường houses in the North Central region (Nghe An, Ha Tinh, Thanh Hoa). Nhà Rường is classified based on the number of sections in the middle of the house, which can be 1, 2, 3, or 5 sections.

The architecture of traditional Vietnamese garden houses is like a treasure trove of culture, reflecting a lifestyle in harmony with nature and deep human values. The images of tiled roofs, clusters of trees, or ponds in the front yard, the garden house not only evokes memories of a bygone era but also sparks pride in national identity. It is a clear testament to the craftsmanship, creativity, and the deep connection to the homeland of the Vietnamese people, a beautiful feature to be cherished in the historical flow of the nation’s architecture.