After nearly 80 years during which only its foundational vestiges survived, Dien Can Chanh (Palace of Diligent Governance) - the central venue for major political activities of the Nguyen Dynasty - is being prepared for restoration on a rigorous scientific basis.

I visited An Dinh Palace on a warm, sunny early spring day. Not counting the respectful foreign visitors pausing before each artifact, I figured that among the more than 20 young people bustling about in ao-dai, with flowers, striking various poses for photos, few knew that they were standing very close to the remnants of a famous theater from the end of the Nguyen Dynasty that has now completely disappeared: Cuu Tu Dai.

On the morning of February 11 (December 24th in the Year of the Snake), at the courtyard of the Thai Hoa Palace (Hue Imperial Citadel), the Hue Monuments Conservation Centre organized a reenactment of the Nguyen Dynasty’s Imperial New Year court ceremony. The event attracted large numbers of local residents and visitors, helping to recreate the traditional Lunar New Year atmosphere within the historic royal court setting.

On the evening of February 11 (the 24th day of the 12th lunar month of the Year of the Snake), in the shimmering garden setting of the Royal Treasury Palace, Hue Imperial Citadel, Hue Monuments Conservation Center organized the “Royal Tet” program, opening a spring celebration space rich in ancient royal tradition. Being held over two nights, February 11 and 12, the program attracted a large number of locals and visitors.

On the morning of February 10th (the 23rd day of the twelfth lunar month of the Year of the Snake), under fine weather conditions, Hue Monuments Conservation Center reenacted the ceremony of setting up Neu pole (Thuong Tieu ceremony) in strict accordance with royal court rituals of the Nguyen Dynasty. The activity was part of Hue Festival 2026, attracting large numbers of locals and visitors to observe and experience the event, recreating the atmosphere of the traditional Tet holiday in the former Royal Palace.

The heritage space of Hue’s Imperial Citadel is being retold in a new language, the language of technology. At the Royal Treasury Palace, stories of the past are no longer meant solely to be observed, but also to be touched, listened, and experienced, opening up a gentle, emotionally resonant way of engaging with the heritage of Hue Ancient Capital.

On the afternoon of December 18, at the Ruong House space - the Royal Treasury Palace (Hue Imperial Citadel), Hue Monuments Conservation Center, in collaboration with Phygital Labs, officially launched the Culture - Heritage - Technology Experience Space.

On December 12, at the Presidential Palace, Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan had a meeting and commendation ceremony for the national team of students who won awards at the International Olympiad and International Science and Engineering Fair in 2025.

Alongside preservation of palaces and temples, the heritage conservation efforts in the Ancient Capital also include the care, restoration, and propagation of trees, protecting ancient and precious species within relic sites, helping maintain the harmonious beauty of architecture and nature - a hallmark of Hue’s heritage space.

On the afternoon of August 1st, at Kien Trung Palace (Hue Imperial Citadel), Hue Monuments Conservation Center, in collaboration with the University of Arts - Hue University officially opened the thematic exhibition “Fine Arts & Heritage 4: The Four Sacred Creatures through Visual Arts”.

This is the surviving lychee (hac le chi) tree, believed to have been grown from three lychee fruits bestowed upon the palace by the emperor. The tree casts shade over a corner of the palace, and its trunk is so wide that it would take several people to embrace it.

Having just completed a major renovation and reopened to welcome visitors, the magnificent and ancient Thai Hoa Palace inside Hue Imperial Citadel attracts thousands of tourists for sightseeing and appreciation.

The restoration work has not been completed, but Thai Hoa Palace has been highly appreciated by many people and tourists for keeping the ancient, majestic features imbued with Hue royal architecture.

After nearly 5 years of construction, the Project is expected to be completed by the end of 2023. The restoration of Kien Trung Palace has a great meaning in the process of restoring the values of Hue's royal architectural heritage.

The sunflower garden in full bloom brings a joyful and full-of-vitallity atmosphere that makes visitors feel passionate.