In the depth of Hue culture, gardens are not merely green zones, acting as supporting elements for architecture, but a constituent factor shaping the urban identity. Hue is famous for the Perfume River, Mount Ngu, the Citadel, royal tombs, pagodas, and noble residences, but Hue is also well known for its gardens. In Hue, gardens soften architecture, calm the everyday life, deepen poetry, and create a unique urban style: a garden city, a city of poetry, the harmony between man and nature, or “an urban poem” as said by M’Bow, former Director-General of UNESCO.

On May 16, leaders of Long Quang Commune promptly visited, encouraged residents, and deployed forces to help 4 households in Rung Ghenh Village re-roof their homes and clean up gardens damaged by the tornado.

Unlike the potted orchid lilies often seen in gardens, the pink trumpet tree is a tall, woody species typically planted along streets. Originating from the Americas, this flower - also known as the pink bell flower - has been widely grown in Vietnam’s Mekong Delta. It usually blooms from February to June. When in full blossom, most of its leaves fall away, leaving behind clusters of soft pink and light purple flowers that create a gentle, romantic scene under the sun.

I visited Dang Mau Tuu’s Song Nhu Gallery many times and realize that he paints a lot about Hue gardens. Each of his paintings tells a story about trees, people, and “fragrant” silences.

Travelers visiting Moc Chau during these days can admire the radiant persimmon gardens.

In Hue's traditional gardens, jackfruit trees are often present as an obvious thing. Not simply a fruit tree, jackfruit is present in Hue's cultural life from cuisine, folk literature, fine arts, architecture to philosophy and religion.

In celebration of Hue Festival 2024, on June 8th, Hue artists and Hue lovers will gather at Kim Long Orchard to display paintings under the theme "A Stroll Through the Hue Garden." This stroll will be adorned with 39 paintings by 7 artists, depicting steps through multicolored gardens, with stories that resonate with the hues of the sun and wind in the green garden, and the intimate conversations of leaves and flowers in the Hue gardens, both tranquil and lively...

“I study garden houses as a connection between Vietnamese art and culture and a deep connection with the land and spirit of Hue. Hidden cultural features still thrive in the values and identity of Hue today,” said Professor and Landscape Architect Kimberlee Stryker (University of California, Berkeley) in her “Listening to the Gardens of Hue, Vietnam” 25 years ago.

People often say Hue is like a poetic lush green garden. When spring comes, the whole Hue garden is filled with gentle fragrance from flowers. At that time, flowers are not just flowers; flowers are also bright beams at dawn; flowers hide themselves under wings of swallows which herald the coming of spring; flowers ride on butterflies to show off their beauty and aroma; flowers sing along with birds on branches...

That memory, which exists on many roads and gardens of the people of Hue, has gained more motivation, become a consciousness, and spread sustainably since the government authorities showed their interest and took care of it.

Grown for its beauty and fruits, persimmon is a high-rise tree in Hue gardens. Despite not having high economic value, ancient persimmon trees carry spiritual and cultural value and are closely linked to the lives of many traditional families in the Huong Ngu region.