More than a month of being carried out, the archaeological excavation has revealed the foundation of Dai Cung Mon - the main gate of the Forbidden City of the Nguyen Dynasty. This is an important step forward in reconstructing the architectural symbol destroyed by war nearly 80 years ago.

On the morning of May 20, at Hue Royal Antiquities Museum, Hue Monuments Conservation Center solemnly received two casual ao dai that belonged to Empress Dowager Tu Cung. Ms. Cong Ton Nu Kim Chi (currently living in the US) authorized Mr. Pham Xuan Cuong to present them.

Ho Dac Cung, a young Hue native raised in Cai Lay, Tien Giang, developed a passion for engine mechanics and, through self-teaching, built his own airplane. In 1935, faced with financial constraints, he wrote to Emperor Bao Dai seeking assistance and received the monarch’s approval.

Over the past 20 days (starting from March 20th), Hue Monuments Conservation Center, in collaboration with National Museum of History, has completed archaeological excavations at three test pits in the Dai Cung Mon area.

The Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism has issued Decision No. 1266/QĐ-BVHTTDL allowing Hue Monuments Conservation Center to collaborate with the National Museum of History to conduct archaeological excavations at the Dai Cung Mon Gate site in Hue Imperial City.