Kien Trung Palace - A masterpiece of Asian-European fusion in the dreamy land of Hue.

Since opening its doors to visitors, Kien Trung Palace has attracted a large number of tourists, especially during the recent April 30th - May 1st holiday. The appeal of Kien Trung Palace stems not only from its magnificent exterior but also from the immense historical and cultural value it holds.

The gateway to the past of the Nguyen Dynasty.

Kien Trung Palace, once the residence of the last two emperors of the Nguyen dynasty, has awakened after more than 70 years of silence. It was once the living and working place of Emperor Khai Dinh and later became the private residence of Emperor Bao Dai.

Kien Trung Palace is associated with many significant historical events. On November 6, 1925, King Khai Dinh passed away in this palace. It also witnessed the momentous occasion of Queen Nam Phuong giving birth to Crown Prince Bao Long on January 4, 1936.

In particular, Kien Trung Palace also marks an important historical milestone on August 29, 1945. Here, King Bao Dai had his first meeting with the delegation of the Provisional Government of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam to discuss his abdication. Later, on the afternoon of August 30, 1945, before tens of thousands of people in Hue, King Bao Dai read his abdication declaration, marking the end of the thousand-year-old feudal regime and ushering in a new era of independence and freedom for the nation.

However, due to the effects of war, Kien Trung Palace was completely destroyed in 1947, leaving only its foundations. It has now become a historical site, a reminder of a glorious period and the turbulent events of the last feudal dynasty in Vietnam.

Related articles

Hue welcomed a record number of tourists during the April 30th - May 1st holiday.

Hue through a unique lens

A magnificent palace in the heart of the ancient capital of Hue.

Kien Trung Palace possesses a unique beauty, a harmonious blend of French architecture, Italian Renaissance architecture, and traditional Vietnamese architecture. The exquisite patterns, vibrant colors, and elaborate decorative details create a truly impressive architectural masterpiece.

Throughout the ups and downs of history, Kien Trung Palace has experienced periods of severe deterioration and damage. However, thanks to the restoration and reconstruction efforts of archaeologists and architects, Kien Trung Palace has gradually regained its original beauty.

The project to restore, renovate, and beautify the Kien Trung Palace relic is being carried out on an area of ​​over 3,800 square meters.²With the goal of preserving and promoting the historical and cultural value of this heritage site, the construction units have adhered to the principle of maintaining the existing foundation structure, minimizing interference with the original elements of the monument.

The main hall of Kien Trung has two floors, is approximately 14 meters high, and has a construction area of ​​about 975 square meters.²The project focuses on restoring and renovating elements such as roof tiles, wooden frames, doors, walls, floors, and decorative details to ensure safety and preserve the unique architectural value of Kien Trung Palace.

The perimeter walls, railings, courtyards, and steps surrounding the main building were also reinforced and restored to ensure the overall stability and aesthetics of the site. The project also renovated smaller structures around Kien Trung Palace such as brick pedestals, fountains, cannons, guard houses, etc., to complete the overall architecture and landscape of the historical site.

The project involves preserving the foundations of other structures within the Kien Trung Palace complex, such as the Eastern Palace Pavilion, the Imperial Study, the Imperial Guard Room, and the Imperial Edict Room, contributing to the preservation of the historical and cultural value of the monument. The green spaces within the monument grounds are also enhanced to create a beautiful landscape that harmonizes with the architecture of the Kien Trung Palace.

Many were astonished by the magnificent beauty of the restored Kien Trung Palace. Their surprise was compounded by the fact that the palace had been almost completely destroyed. The complete and grand reconstruction of such a massive architectural structure is truly an extraordinary feat. The "rebirth" of Kien Trung Palace has rekindled hope among the Vietnamese people for the restoration of other ancient architectural heritage sites throughout the country.

“Standing before the majestic and magnificent Kien Trung Palace, my heart was filled with emotion mixed with amazement. The palace, which was almost completely destroyed, has now been fully and grandly restored, making me admire the efforts and dedication of those preserving the heritage. Every architectural detail, every line of the decorative patterns, is recreated with exquisite precision, bearing the distinct mark of the Nguyen Dynasty era. Looking at Kien Trung Palace, I felt as if I had been transported back in time, immersed in the historical space of our nation,” shared Ms. Hoang Thi Bich Lien (a tourist from Hanoi).

After completing the restoration work, the Hue Imperial Citadel Conservation Center meticulously researched and consulted numerous historical sources to arrange and display the valuable artifacts. Stepping into Kien Trung Palace, visitors are amazed by the incredibly rich and unique treasure trove of ancient artifacts. The palace displays artifacts bearing the distinct mark of the era, contributing to the recreation of the daily life of the Nguyen dynasty kings, while also revealing mysterious and fascinating historical stories.

The main attraction for visitors is the personal belongings of the two emperors, Khai Dinh and Bao Dai. Visitors can admire the gleaming black leather shoes and exquisitely embroidered everyday attire of Emperor Khai Dinh, or the majestic golden dragon-embroidered shoes of Crown Prince Vinh Thuy (later Emperor Bao Dai). In addition, familiar items from the lives of the emperors, such as wind chimes, tables and chairs, jars, and cabinets inlaid with mother-of-pearl, are also displayed respectfully, contributing to recreating the luxurious and powerful living space of the Nguyen dynasty emperors.

In addition, visitors also have the opportunity to admire other valuable collections of artifacts such as porcelain, bronze objects, paintings, etc. Each artifact carries its own historical story, contributing to shedding more light on the cultural and social life of the Nguyen dynasty in its final period.

With its scientific and systematic arrangement, along with a focus on preserving and safeguarding artifacts, the Hue Imperial Citadel Conservation Center has transformed Kien Trung Palace into a miniature museum where visitors can experience and explore history in the most authentic and vivid way.

Additional information:

According to information from the Thua Thien Hue Provincial Department of Tourism, during the recent long holiday period of April 30th - May 1st, the locality welcomed approximately 110,000 tourists for sightseeing and relaxation. Of the tourists who visited Hue during the holiday, about 58,000 booked accommodation, including 43,000 domestic tourists and 15,000 international tourists.

According to statistics from the Hue Imperial Citadel Management Board, during the four-day holiday from April 27th to April 30th, the Hue Imperial Citadel complex welcomed 58,385 tourists. Of these, domestic tourists accounted for the majority with 43,510 visits, while international tourists numbered 14,875. Tourism revenue reached nearly 9 billion VND. Compared to the same period in 2023, the number of visitors to Hue during this year's holiday increased by 15.8%, and tourism revenue increased by 9.7%. This is a positive sign for Hue's tourism industry after a long period of being affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Phuong Mai is a reporter for Travellive Magazine in Hanoi.

Text and photos: Phuong Mai