The majestic and magnificent Thai Hoa Palace (in the Imperial City) has been given a “new coat,” leaving those who witness it are not only overwhelmed but also in awe of the craftsmanship of the artisans who have dedicated themselves to the restoration work over the past three years.

On the first day of the Lunar New Year of the Snake, heritage sites in Hue opened their doors for free, welcoming thousands of visitors to experience the festive atmosphere of the traditional Tet holiday.

After three years of dedicating the maximum possible resources in terms of finance, and human resources, etc., Thai Hoa Palace - the heart of Hue Imperial Citadel - has officially returned, coinciding with this year's Vietnamese Cultural Heritage Day (November 23).

The weather in Thua Thien Hue has shifted to a new season. Following sporadic rain showers, persistent cold rain has settled in, which poses a challenge, directly affecting the progress of construction projects.

“Vang son ky my – the essence of Vietnamese craftsmanship” is something that photographer Nguyen Phong is particularly passionate about as he introduced to Thua Thien Hue Weekly a series of photos showcasing “the golden hands” of artisans perfecting the process of applying gold leaf and lacquer to the columns of Thai Hoa Palace.

Carefully implementing the Thai Hoa Palace restoration project to ensure the methodical and scientific quality, Hue Monuments Conservation Center is working day and night to accelerate all stages of the project, striving to open the palace to visitors by the end of November, ahead of schedule.

Along with Kien Trung Palace, Thai Hoa Palace, a palace with the largest and most beautiful wooden architecture of Hue Imperial Citadel, has also been opened by the Hue Monuments Conservation Center to welcome visitors on the Lunar New Year of the Dragon 2024.

Thai Hoa Palace, the symbol of imperial power of the Nguyen dynasty, set to be built by Emperor Gia Long in 1805, is currently being undergoing a restoration funded by nearly 130 billion Vietnamese dong from the state budget. The comprehensive conservation and restoration project of Thai Hoa Palace relic began in late 2021 and is scheduled for completion in 2025.

By introducing heritage programs and art forms outside the relic space, the artists of Hue Royal Traditional Art Theater contribute to bringing the ancient space of the Royal Palace to life.

Porcelain mosaics on architectural constructions appeared in the 17th century and thrived in the Nguyen era when many important constructions such as Thai Hoa palace (the Palace of Supreme Harmony) and royal mausoleums were built, making them look more elegant and luxurious.