As a majestic symbol of the Nguyen Dynasty, interwoven with impressive Western architecture, Kien Trung Palace located in the Hue Imperial City has been put into operation after 5 years of restoration and embellishment, 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 under the reign of King Khai Dinh. (Source: Hue Monuments Conservation Center) |
According to the Hue Monuments Conservation Center, Kien Trung Palace, also known as Kien Trung Tower, was built under King Khai Dinh's reign with the word "Kien" meaning to build, establish; the word "Trung" implies uprightness, not biased. Along with the relics of 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 under the Nguyen Dynasty.
After 1945, this palace and many other important structures in the Imperial City and the Forbidden City were almost completely destroyed. Kien Trung Palace now only has the ruins of the foundation below.
Therefore, the Hue Monuments Conservation Center has carried out the restoration of the monuments professionally, strictly complying with the International Convention on Monuments Conservation, the Law on Cultural Heritage and regulations on preservation, restoration and rehabilitation of historical and cultural relics - scenic spots to ensure conservation standards and the integrity of the works.
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| In early 2019, the Hue Monuments Conservation Center started the project to renovate, restore and embellish Kien Trung Palace, with a total investment of more than 123 billion VND. (Source: Hue Monuments Conservation Center) |
Kien Trung Palace has invested in construction of items such as overall renovation of the surrounding wall, railing system, courtyard including Front Garden and Back Garden, steps; restoration of Kien Trung Tower (Kien Trung Lau) 2 floors, height about 14m, construction area about 97m 2 ; small surrounding works such as brick pedestals, fountains, cannons, guard houses; technical infrastructure system, trees; preservation of the foundation of Dong Cung Lau, Ngu Thu Phong, Vo Ho Gia Phong and Ngu Phe Phong.
What makes Kien Trung Palace unique and different is the combination of Vietnamese architecture and Western construction style. This is an important typical work, marking a unique and special period of traditional Hue royal architecture.
Dr. Phan Thanh Hai, Director of the Department of Culture and Sports of Thua Thien Hue Province, former Director of the Hue Monuments Conservation Center, is one of the people who laid the foundation for the project to restore, embellish and renovate Kien Trung Palace. With this successful restoration, he hopes that 2024 will mark the sublimation of the heritage, and also the starting year for the sublimation of the ancient capital of Hue on the path to becoming a centrally-governed city based on the cultural-heritage foundation.
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| The number of tourists flocking to Hue is increasing as Kien Trung Palace opens for visitors on the occasion of Lunar New Year 2024. (Source: VnExpress) |
Inaugurated on the occasion of Lunar New Year 2024, people will have the opportunity to visit and admire the precious antiques still preserved and displayed at Kien Trung Palace, such as the daily clothes of King Khai Dinh, the golden dragon embroidered shoes of Crown Prince Vinh Thuy (later King Bao Dai), the wind tower, tables, chairs, jars, and cabinets inlaid with sophisticated mother-of-pearl.
According to the Thua Thien Hue Department of Tourism , during the first three days of Tet, the relics managed by the Hue Monuments Conservation Center had about 65,000-68,000 visitors, including about 12,000 international visitors. The whole province from the 28th of Tet to the 6th is estimated to have reached 100,000 visitors.
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