Royal Palace Complex (Imperial Citadel) in Huế, Việt Nam - Part 3

Updated 11/19/2024

I find the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Huế Citadel, to be fascinating. Many of the monuments inside it represent the best of the classical Vietnamese architecture. Numerous palaces in the Imperial Citadel (Hoàng Thành) were destroyed or heavily damaged during the war, from 1945 to 1975, and are only being rebuilt or repaired in the last twenty five years. I write this blog because I want to share my discovery about this special place with others, who wish to know more about it. I have included many details about this Citadel, which may not be interesting to a casual reader, but I feel are necessary for the sake of completeness.

Image source: Unknown photographer, "Ngọ Môn", 2024, Accessed via https://wiki-travel.com.vn/Uploads/picture/camnhi-242411112435-dia-diem-du-lich-hue-di-tich-van-hoa-lich-su-4.jpg The body of work that makes up Wikitravel—text, images, audio, video, etc.—is free for anyone to use, as long as they comply with our copyleft. Altered from source photo.

Forbidden Citadel (Tử Cấm Thành) - the innermost wall

The Forbidden Citadel, in the center, is inside the third wall of the Huế Citadel, behind Thái Hòa Palace. It occupies 23 acres, and has 0.75 miles in circumference. It had palaces on its central axis, starting with Cần Chánh Palace on the south-end, behind Đại Cung Môn (Gate), and ending with Kiến Trung Palace on the north-end. Càn Thành Palace and Khôn Thái Palace were in between, in that order. There are numerous destroyed structures, on both sides of the central axis, that have not yet been restored. At one time, the Forbidden Citadel had about 50 structures. Below is a picture that shows the locations of various former and current palaces, on the central axis.

Source: Author unknown. "Công cuộc xây dựng kinh đô dưới triều Nguyễn." Dư địa chí. Cổng Thông Tin Điện Tử Thừa Thiên Huế. Date unknown. https://thuathienhue.gov.vn/Thong-tin-du-dia-chi/tid/Cong-cuoc-xay-dung-kinh-do-Hue-duoi-trieu-Nguyen/newsid/213C554A-4BA2-45A7-808E-354FE9B39891/cid/F0BB6DEB-C54A-4C2B-A00A-CB0A7C120763

Multiple authors. "Hoàng Thành Huế." Wikipedia tiếng Việt. vi.wikipedia.org. Last updated April 22, 2024. https://vi.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ho%C3%A0ng_th%C3%A0nh_Hu%E1%BA%BF

Multiple authors. "Tử Cấm Thành (Huế)," Wikipedia tiếng Việt. vi.wikipedia.org. Last updated September 5, 2024. https://vi.wikipedia.org/wiki/T%E1%BB%AD_C%E1%BA%A5m_th%C3%A0nh_(Hu%E1%BA%BF)

Image source: Unknown photographer, "Điện Cần Chánh," 2024. Accessed via https://thuathienhue.gov.vn/Thong-tin-du-dia-chi/tid/Dien-Can-Chanh/newsid/9607503D-B771-4418-BF27-067108896B1D/cid/4E568EE4-C8BC-4F08-8B97-706999B99B37 Altered from source photo.

Đại Cung Môn (Gate), on the south side, is the main entrance to the Forbidden Citadel. Below is a picture of it, before it was destroyed in 1947. In November of 2024, the government has announced the plan to rebuild it and its completion will take four years. There are six additional gates: two gates on each of the remaining three sides.

Source: Đỗ Trưởng. "Thừa Thiên - Huế: Bố trí gần 65 tỷ đồng phục hồi di tích Đại Cung Môn." Thông Tấn Xã Việt Nam. November 15, 2024. https://baotintuc.vn/van-hoa/thua-thien-hue-bo-tri-gan-65-ty-dong-phuc-hoi-di-tich-dai-cung-mon-20241115174059246.htm

Image source: Unknown photographer, "Đại Cung Môn," Year unknown. Accessed via https://toplist.vn/top/dai-cung-mon-459147.htm Unaltered from source photo.

Cần Chánh Palace

Cần Chánh Palace, where the Emperor had his audiences with his ministers and also with foreign dignitaries, was the most important palace in the Forbidden Citadel. Royal banquets were also held here. It was completely destroyed in 1947. It is slated to be rebuilt, starting in the fourth quarter of 2024. Below are some of its pictures: the exterior and interior, in 1930s.

Source: Unknown author. "Thừa Thiên - Huế: Sẵn sàng khởi công phục dựng Điện Cần Chánh trong quý IV/2024." tin tức Thông Tấn Xã Việt Nam. April 19, 2024. https://baotintuc.vn/van-hoa/san-sang-khoi-cong-phuc-dungdien-can-chanh-trong-quy-iv2024-20240419094725536.htm

Image source: Unknown photographer, "Điện Cần Chánh," Year unknown. Accessed via https://dulich.laodong.vn/photo/nhung-buc-anh-quy-ve-dien-can-chanh-cua-hoang-thanh-hue-thoi-chua-bi-huy-966434.html Unaltered from source photo.

Image source: Unknown photographer, "Nội thất Điện Cần Chánh," Year unknown. Accessed via https://hieuco.net/tin-tuc-su-kien/chum-anh-dien-can-chanh-o-co-do-hue-khi-chua-bi-pha-huy-364.html Unaltered from source photo.

Image source: Unknown photographer, "Nội thất Điện Cần Chánh," Year unknown. Accessed via https://hieuco.net/tin-tuc-su-kien/chum-anh-dien-can-chanh-o-co-do-hue-khi-chua-bi-pha-huy-364.html Unaltered from source photo.

On both sides of Cần Chánh Palace are Tả Vu and Hữu Vu. The Mandarins waited in these halls, before they had their audiences with the Emperor. Below are the pictures of Hữu Hall: the exterior and interior. Tả Hall is similar.

Image source: Unknown photographer, "Tả Vu - Hữu Vu," Year unknown. Accessed via https://lendang.vn/destination/ta-vu-huu-vu.html#google_vignette Unaltered from source photo.

Image source: Francisco Anzola, "Bên trong Hữu Vu," Year unknown. Accessed via https://vi.wikipedia.org/wiki/T%E1%BB%AD_C%E1%BA%A5m_th%C3%A0nh_%28Hu%E1%BA%BF%29 Unaltered from source photo.

Càn Thành and Khôn Thái Palaces

Càn Thành Palace, the residence of the Emperor and the largest in the Forbidden Citadel with a unique three-roof style, was destroyed in 1947. Khôn Thái Palace, the residence of the Queen, was demolished during the reign of Emperor Khải Định. In its place is the garden in front of Kiến Trung Palace.

Source: Multiple authors. "Điện Càn Thành (Hoàng thành Huế)." vi.wikipedia.org. Last updated on January 31, 2024. https://vi.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C4%90i%E1%BB%87n_C%C3%A0n_Th%C3%A0nh_(Ho%C3%A0ng_th%C3%A0nh_Hu%E1%BA%BF)

Multiple authors. "Cung Khôn Thái." wikipedia tiếng Việt. Last updated September 4, 2024. https://vi.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cung_Kh%C3%B4n_Th%C3%A1i

Image source: AAVH j.c., "Càn Thành Palace," 1928. https://vi.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C4%90i%E1%BB%87n_C%C3%A0n_Th%C3%A0nh_(Ho%C3%A0ng_th%C3%A0nh_Hu%E1%BA%BF) Altered from source photo.

Kiến Trung Palace

Kiến Trung Palace was built by Emperor Khải Định, Emperor Bảo Đại's father, in 1921, and completed in 1923. A pavillion was demolished to make room for it. It was a baroque palace, built in the French, Italian Renaissance, and Vietnamese Classical styles. It was expanded during Emperor Bảo Đại's reign, and also remodeled to include the bathrooms. It was completely destroyed in 1947, but it was rebuilt and completed in 2024, to look like what it was during Emperor Khải Định's reign. Below are some of its pictures. Note the thirteen doors on each floor of the front facade. Again, thirteen is not considered to be unlucky!

Source: Multiple authors. "Điện Kiến Trung (Hoàng thành Huế)." Wikipedia tiếng Việt vi.wikipedia.org Last updated July 31, 2024. https://vi.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C4%90i%E1%BB%87n_Ki%E1%BA%BFn_Trung_(Ho%C3%A0ng_th%C3%A0nh_Hu%E1%BA%BF)

Image source: Lê Hoàng, "Điện Kiến Trung," 2024. Accessed via https://khamphahue.com.vn/Van-hoa/Chi-tiet/tid/Dien-Kien-Trung.html/pid/16655/cid/81 Unaltered from source.

Image source: Unknown photographer, "Nội thất Điện Kiến Trung," 2024. Accessed via https://scov.gov.vn/dat-nuoc-con-nguoi/dat-nuoc-viet-nam/dien-kien-trung-mot-di-san-hoi-sinh.html Unaltered from source photo.

Image source: Unknown photographer, "Nội thất Điện Kiến Trung," 2024. Accessed via https://khamphahue.com.vn/Van-hoa/Chi-tiet/tid/Dien-Kien-Trung.html/pid/16655/cid/81 Unaltered from source photo.

Below are two picture that show the exquisite ceramic decoration on the facades of Kiến Trung Palace.

Image source: Lê Hoàng, "Điện Kiến Trung," 2024. Accessed via https://baochinhphu.vn/net-uy-nghi-trang-le-cua-dien-kien-trung-hoang-thanh-hue-1022402221553592.htm Unaltered from source photo.

Image source: Unknown photographer, "Họa tiết trên Điện Kiến Trung," 2024. Accessed via https://viettimes.vn/anh-ngam-dien-kien-trung-o-hue-sau-5-nam-trung-tu-post173200.html Unaltered from source photo.

Below is a picture that shows the beautifully hand painted decoration on the interior walls.

Image source: Lê Hoàng, "Điện Kiến Trung," 2024. Accessed via https://baochinhphu.vn/net-uy-nghi-trang-le-cua-dien-kien-trung-hoang-thanh-hue-1022402221553592.htm Unaltered from source photo.

Below are some of the old pictures of the interior of the palace, 100 years ago.

Image source: AAVH j. c., "Nội thất Điện Kiến Trung," 1928, Accessed by https://sdl.thuathienhue.gov.vn/?gd=4&cn=381&tc=1873 Unaltered from source photo.

Image source: AAVH j. c., "Nội thất Điện Kiến Trung," 1928. Accessed by https://sdl.thuathienhue.gov.vn/?gd=4&cn=381&tc=1873 Unaltered from source photo.

Thái Bình Lâu - the Royal Reading Pavilion

The pavilion was built in 1887, during the reign of Emperor Đồng Khánh, and improved during Emperor Khải Định's reign, his son, in 1919. The most recent restoration was done in 2010. The pavilion is located to the right of Càn Thành Palace, looking north. This was the place where the Emperor came to read, compose poetry, and relax. It was definitely his man cave. Below are pictures of the exterior and interior of Thái Bình Pavilion.

Source: Unknown author. "Hoàn thành trùng tu, đưa vào sử dụng di tích Thái Bình Lâu." vov.vn March 27, 2015 https://vi.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C4%90i%E1%BB%87n_Ki%E1%BA%BFn_Trung_(Ho%C3%A0ng_th%C3%A0nh_Hu%E1%BA%BF)

Image source: Unknown photographer, "Thái Bình Lâu," 2024. Accessed via https://vntravel.org.vn/kiet-tac-xu-hue-thai-binh-lau-bieu-tuong-cua-nghe-thuat-trang-tri-tao-hinh-doc-dao-a3452.html Unaltered from source photo.

Image source: Đỗ Trưởng, "Thái Bình Lâu," 2020. Accessed via https://bnews.vn/photo/doc-dao-nghe-thuat-kham-sanh-su-o-thai-binh-lau-trong-tu-cam-thanh/150771/trang-1.html Unaltered from source photo.

Image source: Unknown photographer, "Thái Bình Lâu," 2024. Accessed via https://vntravel.org.vn/kiet-tac-xu-hue-thai-binh-lau-bieu-tuong-cua-nghe-thuat-trang-tri-tao-hinh-doc-dao-a3452.html Unaltered from source.

Image source: Đỗ Trưởng, "Nội thất Thái Bình Lâu," 2020. Accessed via https://bnews.vn/photo/doc-dao-nghe-thuat-kham-sanh-su-o-thai-binh-lau-trong-tu-cam-thanh/150771/trang-1.html Unaltered from source photo.

Image source: Unknown photographer, "Nội thất Thái Bình Lâu," 2024. Accessed via https://vntravel.org.vn/kiet-tac-xu-hue-thai-binh-lau-bieu-tuong-cua-nghe-thuat-trang-tri-tao-hinh-doc-dao-a3452.html Unaltered from source photo.

Below is a picture that shows the exquisite ceramic decoration on the facade of Thái Bình Pavilion. One can see this type of intricate decoration on other palaces.

Image source: Đỗ Trưởng, "Thái Bình Lâu," 2020. Accessed via https://bnews.vn/photo/doc-dao-nghe-thuat-kham-sanh-su-o-thai-binh-lau-trong-tu-cam-thanh/150771/trang-1.html Unaltered from source photo.

Duyệt Thị Đường - the Royal Theater

The Royal Theater was built in 1824, and completed in 1826, during the reign of Emperor Ming Mạng. It has since been remodeled many times, with the most recent in 2004. It is located east of Càn Thành Palace. Below are the pictures of the exterior and interior. One can enjoy royal music and dance performances here, throughout the year.

Source: Multiple authors. "Duyệt Thị Đường (Hoàng thành Huế)." Wikipedia tiếng Việt. vi.wikipedia.org Last updated September 29, 2023. https://vi.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duy%E1%BB%87t_Th%E1%BB%8B_%C4%91%C6%B0%E1%BB%9Dng_(Ho%C3%A0ng_th%C3%A0nh_Hu%E1%BA%BF)

Image source: UBND Thừa Thiên Huế, "Cổng nhà hát,", 2022. Accessed via https://www.ivivu.com/blog/2022/10/duyet-thi-duong-nha-hat-co-nhat-cua-san-khau-truyen-thong-viet-nam/ Unaltered from source photo.

Image source: Unknown photographer, "Duyệt Thị Đường," 2014. Accessed via http://dccd.vn/duyet-thi-duong-nha-hat-co-cung-dinh-hue/ Unaltered from source photo.

Image source: Unknown photographer, "Duyệt Thị Đường," 2017. Accessed via https://hoiandanang.com/listing/nha-hat-duyet-thi-duong-hue/ Unaltered from source photo.

Image source: Unknown photographer, "Duyệt Thị Đường," 2022. Accessed via https://phongnhalocals.com/duyet-thi-duong-theater/ Unaltered from source photo.

Image source: Unknown photographer, "Duyệt Thị Đường," 2021. Accessed via https://phongnhalocals.com/duyet-thi-duong-theater/ Unaltered from source photo.

Image source: Unknown photographer, "Duyệt Thị Đường," 2021. Accessed via https://phongnhalocals.com/duyet-thi-duong-theater/ Unaltered from source photo.

Royal Garden Thiệu Phương, Nhật Thành Lâu (Pavilion), and Trường Lang (Long Corridor)

The Royal Garden Thiệu Phương is the only garden left in the Forbidden Citadel. It was restored in 2002, after many years of being neglected. It is located east of the Royal Reading Pavilion and Càn Thành Palace. Below are some of its pictures.

Source: Multiple authors. "Vườn Thiệu Phương." Wikipedia tiếng Việt. vi.wikipedia.org Last updated February 24, 2024. https://vi.wikipedia.org/wiki/V%C6%B0%E1%BB%9Dn_Thi%E1%BB%87u_Ph%C6%B0%C6%A1ng

Image source: Unknown photographer, "Thiệu Phương Viên," 2021. Accessed via https://hanhtrinhdulich.vn/vuon-ngu-uyen-thieu-phuong-thang-canh-dep-thu-hai-cua-dat-than-kinh-6585/ Unaltered from source photo.

Image source: Bảo Minh, "Thiệu Phương Viên," 2021. Accessed via https://baoxaydung.com.vn/ngam-khu-vuon-ngu-uyen-noi-tieng-trong-20-thang-canh-dat-than-kinh-319078.html Unaltered from source photo.

Image source: Bảo Minh, "Thiệu Phương Viên," 2021. Accessed via https://baoxaydung.com.vn/ngam-khu-vuon-ngu-uyen-noi-tieng-trong-20-thang-canh-dat-than-kinh-319078.html Unaltered from source photo.

Image source: Bảo Minh, "Thiệu Phương Viên," 2021. Accessed via https://baoxaydung.com.vn/ngam-khu-vuon-ngu-uyen-noi-tieng-trong-20-thang-canh-dat-than-kinh-319078.html Unaltered from source photo.

Nhật Thành Pavilion was built in 1841, and restored in 2018. This was the only Buddhist Worship Hall in the Imperial Citadel. It is located on the west side of Royal Garden Thiệu Phương.

Source: Multiple authors. "Nhật Thành Lâu." Wikipedia tiếng Việt vi.wikipedia.org February 1, 2024. https://vi.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nh%E1%BA%ADt_Th%C3%A0nh_l%C3%A2u

Image source: Barrysphere, "Nhật Thành Lâu," . Accessed via https://www.wikiwand.com/vi/T%E1%BB%AD_C%E1%BA%A5m_th%C3%A0nh_%28Hu%E1%BA%BF%29#Media/T%E1%BA%ADp_tin:Hue-Forbidden-City-Nguyen-Dynasty.jpg CC BY-SA 4.0 Unaltered from source photo.

Image source: Steeve Leulier, "Nhật Thành Lâu," 2019. Accessed by https://vi.wikipedia.org/wiki/T%E1%BA%ADp_tin:Nh%E1%BA%ADt_Th%C3%A0nh_pavilion_by_Steeve_Leulier_8.jpg Unaltered from source photo.

Below are the locations of the structures mentioned above, starting with the Royal Reading Pavilion.

Image source: "Huế Forbidden Citadel," 2024. Accessed via https://www.google.com/maps/@16.4706602,107.5776762,261m/data=!3m1!1e3?entry=ttu Altered from source static image.

Below are pictures of Trường Lang, the covered corridors, that connect the palaces and other structures within the Forbidden Citadel. They are exquisitely decorated.

Image source: Pham Hieu, "Trường Lang," 2013. Accessed via https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Tr%C6%B0%E1%BB%9Dng_lang_%C4%90%E1%BA%A1i_n%E1%BB%99i_Hu%E1%BA%BF%281%29.jpg Unaltered from source photo.

Image source: lightwrite on Flickr, "Trường Lang," 2014. Accessed via https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Tr%C6%B0%E1%BB%9Dng_lang_%C4%90%E1%BA%A1i_n%E1%BB%99i_Hu%E1%BA%BF.jpg Unaltered from source photo.

Image source: Hoàng on Pinterest, "Trường Lang," Year unknown. Accessed via https://www.pinterest.com/pin/trng-lang-hu--313703930293641742/ Unaltered from source photo.

Image source: Aleksey Gnilenkov, "Trường Lang," 2011. Accessed via https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Tr%C6%B0%E1%BB%9Dng_lang_%C4%90%E1%BA%A1i_n%E1%BB%99i_Hu%E1%BA%BF_%288104955322%29.jpg Unaltered from source photo.

Image source: Jean-Marc Astesana, "Trường Lang," 2013. Accessed via https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Tr%C6%B0%E1%BB%9Dng_lang_%C4%90%E1%BA%A1i_n%E1%BB%99i_Hu%E1%BA%BF_%288638871212%29.jpg Unaltered from source photo.

The Government of Việt Nam, its skilled craftsmen and talented artists, have been lovingly restored many of the damaged structures inside the Huế Citadel, that we see and enjoy today. Hopefully, it will be restored completely to its former splendor, in the near future. I hope you find my blog informative and enjoyable. I appreciate if you can leave a comment. My next blog is about the beaches of Việt Nam from north to south.