Hue is always new: Rediscovering its golden age.

TP - The restoration, preservation, and promotion of the heritage values ​​of the Hue Imperial City has long been a model example throughout the country. This persistent and enduring journey began many years before the Hue Imperial City Complex was recognized by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage site in 1993.

Impressions of Kien Trung and Thai Hoa

During the recent April 30th and May 1st holidays, Hue became a prominent destination on Vietnam's tourism map. In just two days, the Hue Heritage site welcomed nearly 48,500 visitors. On May 1st alone, there were over 30,000 visitors, including 2,682 international tourists, generating over 4.1 billion VND in revenue from tickets and services.

The surprise and excitement of visitors when exploring and experiencing historical sites such as the Thai Hoa Palace, Kien Trung Palace, and Hai Van Pass, which have recently been restored and renovated, is evidence of the powerful revival of the Hue heritage site. The former glory is gradually being rediscovered, creating a profound impression on the cultural experiences of the public, locals, and tourists alike.

Kien Trung Palace was restored from a nearly completely ruined site.

Kien Trung Palace, one of the remarkable structures within the Imperial Citadel, is a clear testament to the revival of heritage. Almost completely destroyed after 1945, the Hue Imperial Citadel Relics Conservation Center began its reconstruction in 2019 with a total budget of 123 billion VND. On the ruins where traces of the original structure had almost vanished, a team of experts restored the palace in a unique East-West architectural style, originally built by Emperor Khai Dinh in 1921.

"Hue not only restores historical relics but also revives an entire cultural and historical space, through perseverance, a spirit of cooperation, and a desire to preserve the quintessential values ​​of the nation."

Mr. Hoang Viet Trung, Director of the Hue Imperial City Relics Conservation Center

The project was completed during the Lunar New Year of the Year of the Dragon and became the main stage for the Hue International Arts Festival 2024. Many visitors couldn't hide their awe at the ancient and luxurious beauty of the magnificent palace within the Hue Imperial Citadel. "It's hard to believe that the palace, which was almost completely destroyed, has now been fully restored with such breathtaking splendor and magnificence. I hope other structures in the Imperial Citadel, such as the Can Chanh Palace and the Dai Cung Mon Gate, will one day be revived in the same way," exclaimed visitor Nguyen Toan (from Phong Dien, Hue).

Along with Kien Trung Palace, Thai Hoa Palace – the center of power of the Nguyen Dynasty – is also a significant highlight in terms of restoration and preservation. Built in 1805 during the reign of Emperor Gia Long, Thai Hoa Palace was where 13 Nguyen emperors were crowned and held court. The structure is notable for its "double-tiered roof" architecture, glazed yellow tile roof, gilded and lacquered ironwood columns, and exquisitely carved dragons and dragon motifs, showcasing the pinnacle of Nguyen Dynasty art.

Due to its deteriorating condition, the Thai Hoa Palace restoration project commenced in November 2021 with a budget of over 128 billion VND, focusing on preserving the original architecture, colors, materials, and patterns. A team of experts meticulously restored each component using ironwood, lacquer, gold leaf, etc., recreating the magnificent and majestic space. The project was completed on November 23, 2024, becoming a central tourist attraction within the Imperial Citadel, and also serving as a space for recreating court ceremonies, reviving the historical and cultural values ​​of the ancient capital.

A historic handshake

On December 19, 2021, atop the misty Hai Van Pass, a historic moment unfolded as leaders from Hue and Da Nang provinces beat drums and gongs to officially begin the restoration of Hai Van Quan, once renowned as the most magnificent pass in the world.

Once divided by administrative boundaries, the Hai Van Pass historical site suffered decades of neglect and serious deterioration. Despite being classified as a national historical site in 2017, it wasn't until 2020 that Hue and Da Nang agreed on a restoration plan. Built in 1826 during the reign of Minh Mang, the structure once served as a fortress guarding the southern gateway to the imperial capital of Hue.

Ngo Mon Gate - the main gate of the Hue Imperial Citadel.

The restoration work, spearheaded by the Hue Imperial Citadel Relics Conservation Center, spans from 2021 to 2024, with a budget of over 42 billion VND from the Hue and Da Nang budgets (50% each). The conservation efforts respect the original elements and preserve the traces of time.

On August 1, 2024, the Hai Van Pass officially opened its doors to visitors free of charge after months of meticulous restoration. Mr. Nguyen Thanh Binh, Vice Chairman of the Hue City People's Committee, expressed his hope: "Hai Van Pass is a goldmine for tourism if exploited effectively. This historic collaboration between the two localities is aimed at reviving this precious historical site."

In 2025, restoration projects for the Can Chanh Palace, the tombs of Tu Duc, Minh Mang, and Thieu Tri, the Nam Giao Altar, and the Thai Mieu Temple will continue to be implemented, promising to bring a new look to the heritage site. Conservation work in Hue is carried out systematically according to UNESCO regulations and Vietnamese law. By mid-2025, more than 200 historical sites will have been restored with funding of trillions of VND from the state budget, international cooperation, social contributions, and the Hue Heritage Conservation Fund.

Source: https://tienphong.vn/hue-luon-moi-bai-6-vang-son-tim-lai-post1750044.tpo