Accordingly, the People's Council of Thua Thien Hue province has passed a resolution approving the investment policy for the project to restore the Dai Cung Mon relic under the Nguyen Dynasty inside the Hue Imperial City. This is the main gate of the Forbidden City - the area where the kings and concubines of the Nguyen Dynasty lived and worked inside the Hue Imperial City.
The Dai Cung Mon Relic Restoration Project has a total estimated investment of nearly 65 billion VND from the provincial budget, expected to be implemented in early 2025 and will be implemented within 4 years. The project focuses on renovating and restoring the structure according to strict standards to preserve traditional cultural and architectural values.
Dai Cung Mon is located on the sacred axis of Hue Citadel, north of Thai Hoa Palace. This building was destroyed in 1947, only the foundation remains.
Accordingly, the project will renovate and restore the foundation of the building with bricks, Thanh stone column bases, moisture and termite proofing, install anti-termite system, restore the foundation, Thanh stone steps, brick walls plastered with traditional mortar and color.
The project will restore the main part of the Great Palace Gate, which is the wooden frame structure, roof, plank walls, three-piece panels, and doors made of group II wood. The components are carved with patterns and gilded with gold.
The wooden structures are protected against moisture and termites. The roof is covered with yellow glazed tiles, the eaves are restored, the gables are inlaid with porcelain and decorative patterns and restored enamel, the top of the ridge is attached with enamel figures. The parts that are adjacent to the roofs of the two corridors on both sides are treated for waterproofing, the rafters, purlins and roof tiles of the two corridors are restored to connect to the gable wall of the Great Palace Gate.
The project also renovates and restores the front yard, backyard, railing system and screen behind the Great Palace Gate; renovates the building's lighting system, interior and exterior art lighting; renovates and installs the drainage system; installs fire prevention and fighting systems, camera systems, etc.
Dai Cung Mon holds many cultural, historical and artistic values for the Forbidden City area in particular and the Hue Monuments Complex in general.
Dai Cung Mon and Can Chanh Palace of the Nguyen Dynasty in Hue Imperial City were completely destroyed by war in 1947. The restoration and rehabilitation of the project plays an important role and has great significance in the process of fully restoring the architectural appearance of the Hue Imperial City relic complex, bringing high efficiency in exploiting tourism services, studying and researching.
Dai Cung Mon is the main gate of the Forbidden City - the place where Nguyen Dynasty kings and concubines lived and worked in Hue Imperial City. The building was built in 1833 under the reign of King Minh Mang with 5 rooms without wings, 3 doors, of which the main door in the middle was reserved for the king only.
The architecture of Dai Cung Mon represents the pinnacle of Nguyen Dynasty art, with the front facade painted in splendid gold and silver, and the panels decorated with classical motifs such as the Eight Treasures, the Four Sacred Animals, and poems. The connecting corridor behind leads to the Ta Vu and Huu Vu houses, creating uniformity and harmony for this area.
