How is the temple dedicated to the Nguyen lords being restored?

VHO - The project for the overall preservation, restoration, and embellishment of the Thai Mieu relic (phase 1) - first stage has reached 60% completion. It is expected to be completed 20 months ahead of schedule.

The Thái Tổ Temple was rebuilt in 1972 by Empress Từ Cung and the Nguyễn Phúc clan council on the site of the old structure. The photo was taken before its demolition for the project. Photo: S. THÙY

The Thai Mieu Temple, located in the southeastern corner of the Hue Imperial Citadel, is one of the five important temples built early during the Nguyen Dynasty. It is a place of worship for the Nguyen lords, built by Emperor Gia Long shortly after his ascension to the throne.

Overall, the Thai Mieu complex is an architectural ensemble with more than 10 structures built on a site of over 14,900 m2. The main structure, Thai To Mieu, is a wooden building constructed in the double-tiered, overlapping-roof style and is the largest wooden structure within the Hue Imperial Citadel.

The project "Comprehensive preservation, restoration, and enhancement of the Thai Mieu relic" (phase 1) - first phase has a budget of 52 billion VND, commenced in October 2024, and is expected to be completed after 4 years.

The project includes the following investment items: restoration and reconstruction of the foundation of Thai To Temple (area 1,917 m2); preservation, restoration, and reconstruction of Thai Mieu Gate and the system of gates and walls within the Thai Mieu area, including Dien Hy Gate, Quang Hy Gate, Tuc Tuong Gate, and Hien Thua Gate; protection of the foundation traces with a total area of ​​1,078 m2, including the following structures: Ta/Huu Tung Tu, Muc Tu Dien, Tho Cong Tu, and Tuy Thanh Cac.

To date, the first phase (batch 1) of the comprehensive restoration project of the Thai Mieu relic site has completed approximately 60% of the work. Photo: VT

At the same time, the project involves repairing and restoring the grounds and walkways; installing electrical, water supply and drainage, and fire protection systems in the area; and planning and beautifying the green spaces and lawns.

According to representatives of the Hue Imperial Citadel Relics Project Management Board, during the project implementation, many issues arose related to the structural characteristics, architectural details, and decorative patterns recorded during the construction process.

The investor organized consultations with experts and relevant professional agencies to conduct the assessment and approval of the design adjustments in accordance with regulations.

Furthermore, the weather in the last months of 2025, especially with heavy rain and flooding from the end of October to the beginning of November, will affect the construction and renovation of technical infrastructure, roads, and green spaces within the project's investment scale.

The Guanxi Gate and Yanxi Gate before being dismantled for renovation. Photo: S. THUY

Currently, the construction volume is estimated to reach 60% of the approved investment scale. Completed work items include: the foundation of Thai To Temple, the screen wall, and Tuy Thanh Pavilion.

Other items undergoing major restoration and renovation work include the Thai Mieu Gate, Quang Hy Gate, Dien Hy Gate, Hien Thua Gate, Tuc Tuong Gate, city walls, Mu Tu Dien, Tho Cong Tu, Ta/Huu Tung Tu, courtyards and walkways... In 2026, the contractor will focus on the remaining work items and complete the project handover, expected to be 20 months ahead of schedule.

In the next phase, once resources are secured, the restoration and renovation of the main structure, Thai To Temple, will be carried out – the place of worship for the nine Nguyen lords, from Lord Nguyen Hoang to Lord Nguyen Phuc Thuan. This is the largest structure in the Imperial Citadel, with a 15-bay, 2-wing front hall and a 13-bay, 2-wing main hall.

The project has restored the foundation of the main structure of the Thai To Temple, covering an area of ​​1,917 m2 (the area circled in black). The next phase is expected to restore the shrine dedicated to the nine Nguyen lords.

In 1947, the Thái Miếu (Royal Ancestral Temple) was destroyed due to the ravages of war. In 1972, Empress Dowager Từ Cung (also known as Đoan Huy Hoàng Thái hậu) and her descendants of the Nguyễn Phúc clan raised funds and rebuilt the Thái Tổ Miếu on a smaller scale, right on the site of the old structure.

However, over time and due to the impact of natural disasters, the structure has also seriously deteriorated. The Council of the Nguyen Phuc clan, in coordination with the Hue Imperial City Relics Conservation Center, has moved the altars of the Nguyen lords to be temporarily worshipped at the Trieu Mieu relic site (to the north of Thai Mieu).

Previously, in 2021, the People's Council of Thua Thien Hue province (now Hue City) approved a Resolution on the investment plan for the project "Preservation, restoration, and comprehensive renovation of Thai Mieu relic site, phase 1" with a total budget of 272.7 billion VND, from the central government budget and other legal sources of capital.

The Thai Mieu Gate before restoration. Photo: S. THUY

In the local government's medium-term public investment plan for the period 2021-2025, this project is allocated 100 billion VND, including 50 billion VND from the central government's contingency budget and 50 billion VND from revenue generated from entrance fees to historical sites.

However, due to the project not being approved in a timely manner in 2021 and 2022, the central government's contingency fund was canceled and withdrawn. At the end of 2023, to implement the preservation and restoration of the Thai Mieu relic, the Thua Thien Hue Provincial People's Council passed a Resolution adjusting the project's funding structure to come from the provincial budget. Specifically, the first phase of the project has a budget of 52 billion VND and will implement the aforementioned items.

Source: https://baovanhoa.vn/van-hoa/noi-tho-cac-chua-nguyen-dang-duoc-trung-tu-nhu-the-nao-186138.html