The private quarters of Emperor Bảo Đại and Empress Nam Phương in the Forbidden City of Huế.

This was the workplace and residence of King Khai Dinh and the private residence of King Bao Dai.

Located to the north, behind the Khon Thai Palace, Kien Trung Palace is one of the five major architectural structures situated on the sacred axis within the Forbidden City ( Hue ).

Kien Trung Palace in 1928. Source: AAVH.

Architectural works bearing the mark of Khai Dinh

This building is a fusion of Asian and European styles, encompassing French architecture, Italian Renaissance architecture, and traditional Vietnamese architecture. A highlight is the intricate mosaic art using ceramic tiles to create decorative patterns. The doors are painted in vibrant shades of red and yellow.

Kien Trung Palace served as the workplace and residence of King Khai Dinh and later as the private residence of King Bao Dai. It witnessed many historical events, such as the death of King Khai Dinh (November 6, 1925), the birth of Crown Prince Bao Long by Queen Nam Phuong (January 4, 1936), and King Bao Dai's first meeting with the Provisional Government of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam to discuss his abdication (August 29, 1945)...

According to the book "King Khai Dinh - Images & Events (1916-1925)" by Vo Huong An (son of Vo Van Lang, the last First-Class Imperial Guard of the Nguyen Dynasty), Kien Trung Palace was built on the former site of Minh Vien Pavilion. During the reign of King Thieu Tri, the pavilion was renamed Cao Minh Vien Chieu Palace. During the reign of King Tu Duc, this structure was demolished in 1876 due to severe damage.

In 1915, on the former site of the Minh Vien Pavilion, a one-story house was built using new materials and modern amenities (electricity, water, toilet, bathroom) to serve as the residence for King Duy Tan. This building was constructed according to the design of architect Auclair, a member of the Hanoi Society for the Preservation of Ancient History, and was completed in just five months. King Duy Tan named it Du Cuu Pavilion.

In May 1916, a political upheaval occurred, King Duy Tan was deposed, and King Khai Dinh ascended the throne. According to the Dai Nam Thuc Luc , Chinh Bien De That Ky (translated by Cao Tu Thanh), when King Khai Dinh first ascended the throne, he still resided at Du Cuu Pavilion and issued a decree to rename it Kien Trung Palace and carried out perfunctory renovations.

In 1921, King Khai Dinh ordered the demolition of the entire old Kien Trung Palace (formerly Du Cuu Pavilion) and its reconstruction. A report from the Ministry of Finance dated January 21st, Khai Dinh 7th year (1922) indicated the allocation of funds for the renovation of Thai Hoa Palace and Kien Trung Palace, stating that the renovation of Kien Trung Palace cost 60,000 dong.

In December 1922, an octagonal pavilion was added in front of the Kien Trung Palace. By April 1923, the newly rebuilt Kien Trung Palace was completed.

The appearance of Kien Trung Palace after nearly 5 years of restoration, renovation, and embellishment. Photo: Quynh Danh.

The private chambers of Emperor Bảo Đại and Empress Nam Phương

According to the book King Khai Dinh - Images & Events (1916-1925) , Kien Trung Palace was a two-story building, including the ground floor, built on a raised platform, higher than all other structures in the Imperial Citadel, except for the Tu Phuong Vo Su Pavilion on the Bac Khuyet platform, next to Hoa Binh Gate.

Three high and wide steps lead up to a long, spacious courtyard paved with French checkered tiles, before reaching the main platform of the palace. Although the roof and four gables are still decorated with dragons, and the steps are still adorned with dragon and unicorn carvings, the window frames and the exterior columns clearly show European influence.

Lightning rods, tall, wide windows with glass panes inside and louvered shutters outside, wooden sunshades, tin gutters and downpipes... these are new architectural features imported from the West. Western architectural influences completely dominate the interior room arrangement.

According to the book "King Khai Dinh - Images & Events (1916-1925)" , previously, the Nguyen dynasty kings ate at Can Chanh Palace and worked at Can Thanh Palace (or Van Minh Palace, depending on the king). However, with new amenities (electricity, water, toilets, working facilities), Kien Trung Palace was used for both purposes.

Besides the main hall, there was also a living room, the king's study, a dining room, bedrooms, an entertainment room, a sports equipment room, a barber's room, a laundry room, and a kitchen with a Western-style stove, not the traditional three-legged stove. Therefore, when King Bao Dai got married, all the wife and children lived together in the Kien Trung Palace, rather than being scattered across various palaces and halls as in the time of previous kings.

The Nguyễn Dynasty's official records also state that on February 10th each year, Emperor Bảo Đại and Empress Bảo Đại, dressed in imperial robes and wearing yellow turbans, would reside in the reception room at Kiến Trung Palace for the court officials to offer congratulations , and the French envoy also came to offer his congratulations .

Kien Trung Palace, along with Can Thanh Palace, Can Chanh Palace, and many other palaces within the Imperial Citadel, were completely demolished at the end of 1946 as part of the scorched-earth policy of resistance against French colonialism.

After 72 years of existence as a ruin, in 2019, the Hue Imperial Citadel Relics Conservation Center commenced a project to restore and renovate the Kien Trung Palace. After 5 years of restoration and renovation, the Kien Trung Palace has been completed and officially opened to the public.

According to experts, besides its historical value, Kien Trung Palace also possesses immense architectural and artistic value because it has all the characteristics of an Indochinese-style building, especially the distinctive ceramic mosaic art that creates a typical appearance of Nguyen Dynasty palace architecture.

Source: https://znews.vn/tu-cung-cua-vua-bao-dai-va-hoang-hau-nam-phuong-trong-tu-cam-thanh-hue-post1525776.html