The restoration of Kien Trung Palace due to be completed by the end of 2023

The decoration stage of Kien Trung Palace is being completed

The restoration of Kien Trung Palace, from a ruin, has an important meaning in the process of preserving and promoting the values of the Complex of Hue Monuments, which has been recognized by the UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage.

Kien Trung Palace was built in 1921 and completed in 1923. This once served as the living and working space of the two emperors of the Nguyen Dynasty, including Emperor Khai Dinh and Emperor Bao Dai. The palace is one of the five main and large-scale architectural buildings, located on the Dung Dao axis of Hue Imperial Palace, along with Thai Hoa Palace, Can Chanh Palace, Can Thanh Palace, and Khon Thai Palace. In 1947, Kien Trung Palace was almost completely destroyed by war bombs and bullets, and became a ruin, with only the foundation has been remaining so far.

This palace converges the characteristics of an Indochina-style building, with a combination between Asia and Europe. This is an important typical building, marking a unique and special period, and a complement to the traditional Hue royal architecture.

The highlight of Kien Trung Palace is the unique textures and patterns, which are inlaid with porcelain on the outside, with many different colors and vivid decorative themes

The highlight of Kien Trung Palace is the unique textures and patterns, which are inlaid with porcelain on the outside, with many different colors and vivid decorative themes, creating the soul of the building.

About 80 percent of the process of inlaying with porcelain has been done, with the participation of many skilled folk artisans in this field. Artists are meticulously redrawing the decorative motifs on the wall and ceiling in each room of Kien Trung Palace according to ancient documents. Currently, the rough part of the main item of Kien Trung floor, with reinforced concrete structure, has been completed, with its roof made of glazed pipe tiles.

The completed building will provide a new attractive attraction for domestic and international visitors when coming to visit Hue Imperial Palace.

Over the past 30 years, since winning the UNESCO recognition as a World Cultural Heritage Site (in 1993), the Complex of Hue Monuments has gone through the state of emergency to the state of stable and sustainable development. Currently, Hue Monuments Conservation Center is continuing to study and complete the dossiers to implement the projects of restoring the Can Chanh Palace and the Dai Cung Mon (Great Palace Gate), located on the Dung Dao axis of Hue Imperial Palace, thereby contributing to gradually regaining the appearance of important palaces, in order to preserve an ancient and magnificent Hue Citadel for the present as well as future generations.