
Lac
Tinh Garden
has a beautiful and cool setting with a symmetrical arrangement of two rows of
hibiscuses, roses, laurel and ochna atropurpurea along the path leading to the
house. Under the trees are small tables and chairs for enjoying the view and
drinking tea. At the end of the path is a stylized book-shaped screen. With the
structure of hexagonal beehive, the screen creates openness for the garden and
reduces the separation between the house and the surrounding.
There are four houses adjacent to each other in the Lac Tinh Garden. Each house has its own name,
which has a special meaning and closely connects in meaning with the owner.
Nhan Hau House (Benevolent House) is used for receiving guests, enjoying the
moon and flowers and also distributing relief for the poor. It has an open
architecture of parterres and bonsais putting around the house instead of
walls.
Hy Tran Trai House is located in the middle of the garden. The interior is
decorated with many wood panels. The main compartment has fifty-nine iron wood
columns with the flat tiled roof. Rafters are carved with images of dragon,
Chinese character, four seasons, eight weapons, etc. by the professional skill
of talent artists.
Van Trai House is a place for working and relaxing.
Di Tam Thich The Duong House is a place of studying and living for the
offsprings.
The architecture and special arrangement of decorated articles; appliances of
the house give all four houses an ancient apperance. They give visitors a
strong impression of elegance, refinement, and remind them being light in their
steps, soft in their voice, etc. Accordingly, when going out of the Lac Tinh
Garden and facing the mundane world, we suddenly want to come back to find the
cultural way of life, fondness for learning, behavior manner of aristocrats
under the old Nguyen Dynasty.
