As a majestic symbol of the Nguyen dynasty, interwoven with impressive Western architecture, Kien Trung Palace, located within the Hue Imperial Citadel, has been reopened after 5 years of restoration and renovation, becoming a favorite destination for tourists during the Lunar New Year.
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| Kien Trung Palace was built in 1921 and completed in 1923 during the reign of Emperor Khai Dinh. (Source: Hue Ancient Citadel Conservation Center) |
According to the Hue Ancient Citadel Conservation Center, Kien Trung Palace, also known as Kien Trung Pavilion, was built during the reign of Emperor Khai Dinh. The word "Kien" means to build or establish, while "Trung" implies uprightness and integrity. Along with Thai Hoa Palace, Can Chanh Palace, Can Thanh Palace, and Khon Thai Palace, Kien Trung Palace is one of the five important structures located on the sacred axis of the Forbidden City during the Nguyen Dynasty.
In the period after 1945, this palace, along with many other important architectural structures within the Imperial Citadel and the Forbidden City, was almost completely destroyed. At that time, only the foundation of Kien Trung Palace remained.
Therefore, the Hue Ancient Citadel Conservation Center has carried out the restoration work professionally, strictly adhering to the International Convention on the Conservation of Monuments, the Law on Cultural Heritage, and regulations on the preservation, restoration, and rehabilitation of historical and cultural relics and scenic spots, in order to ensure the standards of conservation and the integrity of the structures.
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| In early 2019, the Hue Ancient Citadel Relics Conservation Center commenced a project to restore, renovate, and beautify the Kien Trung Palace, with a total investment of over 123 billion VND. (Source: Hue Ancient Citadel Relics Conservation Center) |
The Kien Trung Palace project included the restoration of various elements such as the overall renovation of the foundation walls, railings, courtyards including the Front and Rear Gardens, and steps; the restoration of the two-story Kien Trung Pavilion (Kien Trung Lau), approximately 14m high and with a construction area of about 97m² ; smaller surrounding structures such as brick pedestals, fountains, cannons, and guard houses; the technical infrastructure and landscaping; and the preservation of the foundations of the Eastern Palace Pavilion, the Imperial Study, the Imperial Guard Room, and the Imperial Approval Room.
What makes Kien Trung Palace unique and distinctive is the combination of Vietnamese architecture with Western construction styles. This is an important landmark, marking a unique and remarkable period of traditional Hue imperial architecture.
Dr. Phan Thanh Hai, Director of the Department of Culture and Sports of Thua Thien Hue province and former Director of the Hue Imperial Citadel Conservation Center, is one of the pioneers behind the restoration project of Kien Trung Palace. With this successful restoration, he hopes that 2024 will mark the flourishing of the heritage site, and also the beginning of Hue's journey towards becoming a centrally-governed city based on its cultural and heritage foundation.
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| The number of tourists flocking to Hue is increasing as Kien Trung Palace opens to visitors during the Lunar New Year holiday in 2024. (Source: VnExpress) |
Inaugurated just in time for the Lunar New Year 2024, the public has the opportunity to visit and admire the precious artifacts still preserved and displayed at Kien Trung Palace, such as the everyday clothes of King Khai Dinh, the golden dragon-embroidered shoes of Crown Prince Vinh Thuy (later King Bao Dai), wind chimes, tables and chairs, jars, and cabinets inlaid with exquisite mother-of-pearl.
According to the Thua Thien Hue Department of Tourism , during the first three days of the Lunar New Year, the historical sites managed by the Hue Ancient Citadel Conservation Center received approximately 65,000-68,000 visitors, including about 12,000 international tourists. The entire province is estimated to have received 100,000 visitors from the 28th day of the Lunar New Year to the 6th day of the following year.
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