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A place that preserves the historical relics of the royal family.
Located beside the picturesque An Cuu River, An Dinh Palace stands majestically at 97 Phan Dinh Phung Street, De Bat Ward, Hue City. Built in 1917, it is closely associated with the lives of many late Nguyen Dynasty kings such as Khai Dinh, Bao Dai, Queen Nam Phuong, and Prince Bao Long.
In 1901, while still a Crown Prince, Nguyen Phuc Buu Dao (later King Khai Dinh) decided to build his own residence and named it An Dinh. After ascending the throne in 1917, King Khai Dinh had the residence renovated in a modern architectural style, completed in 1919.
An Dinh Palace was built in 1917 and is associated with the lives of many of the last emperors of the Nguyen dynasty, such as Khai Dinh, Bao Dai, Empress Nam Phuong, and Prince Bao Long.
In 1922, at the request of King Khai Dinh, An Dinh Palace was granted to Crown Prince Vinh Thuy - who later became King Bao Dai. It became the official residence of King Bao Dai and his family after his ascension to the throne in 1926. After the August Revolution of 1945 and the fall of the Nguyen Dynasty, King Bao Dai and his family lived in An Dinh for a short time before settling in France.
After the Revolution, An Dinh Palace was donated to the revolutionary government by Empress Dowager Tu Cung, the last empress dowager of the Nguyen Dynasty. It was preserved in its original state and became a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1993. Today, An Dinh Palace is a must-see destination for tourists visiting the ancient capital of Hue, offering a glimpse into the unique historical and architectural values of the Nguyen Dynasty.
Trung Lap Temple is notable for its majestic and lifelike bronze statue of King Khai Dinh.
A magnificent castle by the An Cuu River.
Having weathered the ups and downs of history, An Dinh Palace today retains only three main structures out of the original ten: the main gate, Khai Tuong Pavilion, and Trung Lap Pavilion. Once a repository of the historical and cultural values of the Nguyen Dynasty, An Dinh Palace has faced the ravages of time and war, leaving behind fading marks on its architecture.
However, this does not diminish the immense value of An Dinh Palace. Looking at the moss-covered walls and worn roof tiles, visitors feel as if they are traveling back in time, experiencing the royal life of a bygone era. The sophisticated blend of Asian and European architecture, along with unique decorative details, retains its charm, leaving visitors in awe.
Khai Tuong Tower boasts a luxurious European castle-like architectural style.
An Dinh Palace stands majestically on an area of 23,463 square meters.2Enclosed by a 1.8m high, 0.5m thick perimeter wall, An Dinh Palace, unlike many other structures in Hue, boasts a luxurious and modern beauty with a dominant yellow color scheme. This color is further enhanced by the sophisticated and opulent design, creating a truly impressive scene, much like in the music video "Can't Be Together Forever" by singer Hoa Minzy.
The first highlight of An Dinh Palace is its massive two-tiered main gate, built in the traditional three-arched style. The gate's floor is decorated with exquisite ceramic tiles, showcasing sophistication and class. Stepping through the main gate, visitors will be overwhelmed by the beauty of Trung Lap Pavilion – a unique octagonal structure designed with a raised platform. Standing prominently in the center of the pavilion is a majestic and lifelike bronze statue of King Khai Dinh.
An Dinh Palace bears the distinct mark of time.
However, the "shining star" of An Dinh Palace is Khai Tuong Pavilion - a structure named by King Khai Dinh himself, signifying a wish for a prosperous beginning. Khai Tuong Pavilion boasts a luxurious European castle-style architecture and occupies an area of 745 square meters.2It comprises three floors. This is where precious artifacts are preserved, helping to recreate the luxurious royal life of a bygone era.
Stepping into Khai Tuong Pavilion, visitors feel as if they have entered a unique artistic space. On the first floor, one can admire six incredibly vivid paintings depicting scenes from five famous Hue tombs: Dong Khanh Tomb, Tu Duc Tomb, Thieu Tri Tomb, Minh Mang Tomb, and Gia Long Tomb. These paintings not only possess high artistic value but also hold immense historical significance, contributing to the preservation of the images of the Nguyen Dynasty emperors.
Precious historical artifacts at An Dinh Palace
The second and third floors of the Khai Tuong Pavilion, formerly the residence of Empress Dowager Tu Cung, are now used as a sacred place of worship. It bears the strong imprint of time with precious historical artifacts, evoking memories of the royal family's life in the past.
What impresses visitors most when viewing Khai Tuong Pavilion is the harmonious blend of modern and traditional architecture. The entire facade of the building is decorated with incredibly meticulous and elaborate patterns, strongly reflecting the modern Romanesque style. Interspersed among the modern patterns are traditional motifs, creating a unique architectural whole that is both elegant and modern, while also deeply rooted in Eastern culture.
An Dinh Palace evokes memories of the life of the royal family in the past.
Beyond its historical and unique architectural value, An Dinh Palace also attracts visitors with its dreamy and romantic beauty. It boasts a vast grounds with lush greenery, creating a striking contrast to the resplendent golden main building.
The highlight within the An Dinh Palace grounds is the White Camellia Garden – a garden built specifically for the film "Gái Già Lắm Chiêu V" (The Old Lady's Tricks V). Stepping into the White Camellia Garden, visitors feel as if they have entered a fairytale world, with clusters of pristine white camellias in bloom and a clear lake reflecting the clouds. This place offers visitors a sense of peace, relaxation, and romance.
The highlight within the grounds of An Dinh Palace is the White Tea Garden.
"As a tourist passionate about Vietnamese history and culture, I was very happy to have the opportunity to visit An Dinh Palace. As soon as I stepped inside, I was overwhelmed by the magnificent beauty of the palace. Visiting An Dinh Palace, I not only admired the unique architectural beauty but also learned about the history and culture of the Nguyen dynasty," shared Bich Phuong (a tourist from Hanoi).
Furthermore, An Dinh Palace is not only a favorite destination for tourists but also a "paradise" for photographers, from professional to amateur. The ancient and magnificent beauty of the palace, along with its vast grounds and many picturesque scenes, creates countless impressive photo opportunities for social media.
The unique architecture of An Dinh Palace, harmoniously blending modern Western and traditional Eastern styles, provides the ideal backdrop for timeless photographs. No matter your style—from elegant and gentle to bold and energetic—you can easily capture the most beautiful moments here.
The many picturesque scenes of An Dinh Palace have created countless impressive photo opportunities for social media.
