Visit Hue

Restoring the Glory of Thai Hoa Palace – Hue’s Imperial Crown Jewel

7 Views 0

At the heart of Hue’s Imperial Citadel stands Thai Hoa Palace, the most iconic structure of the Nguyễn Dynasty. Built in 1805 under Emperor Gia Long and relocated in 1833 by Emperor Minh Mạng, this grand throne hall hosted coronations for all 13 emperors and served as the ceremonial stage for major royal events.

Over two centuries old, the palace had suffered extensive deterioration. In late 2021, a comprehensive restoration project worth nearly 129 billion VND was launched to revive its historic splendor. The work is being carried out by skilled artisans and conservation experts with a goal to finish before Vietnam Cultural Heritage Day in November.

While the remaining workload for the restoration of Thái Hòa Palace is not extensive, it involves intricate decorative details requiring a high degree of precision. Artisans are working meticulously, often extending their hours into the night to ensure the work is completed on schedule.

This effort isn’t just about preserving bricks and beams—it’s about safeguarding a vital piece of Vietnamese imperial history. Thai Hoa Palace symbolizes the height of Nguyễn court architecture and Confucian values, and its restoration enhances the experience for visitors exploring this UNESCO World Heritage Site.

What the Restoration Includes

  • The project covers major structural and aesthetic elements:
  • Reinforcement of foundations and repair of Thanh Hóa stone steps
  • Restoration of original tiled floors, roof structures, and brick walls
  • Renewal of lacquered wood, gold-gilded elements, and wooden framing
  • Re-tiling the roof and restoring decorative figurines using ceramic mosaic
  • Detailed revival of pháp lam (enameled decorations), a signature imperial craft

The royal throne and ceremonial canopy have also been refurbished, while the gardens, walkways, and surrounding courtyard are being re-leveled and landscaped. A modern lighting system highlights architectural details without compromising historical authenticity.

The intricate craftsmanship of skilled artisans has nearly fully restored the elaborate gold-gilded details within the interior of Thái Hòa Palace, a testament to their exceptional dedication and artistry.
All the decorative patterns and gold-gilded lacquerwork are crafted entirely by hand, requiring highly skilled artisans and leaving no room for error.
Under the light of a lamp, artisans meticulously clean and prepare the surfaces, ensuring every detail is flawless before the delicate process of applying gold leaf.

Before any part of the structure was dismantled, teams used 3D scanning to digitally capture every original detail. This meticulous documentation ensures the palace is reconstructed faithfully, respecting its architectural and spiritual significance.

A Palace of Culture and Legacy

Beyond its historical role, Thai Hoa Palace holds deep cultural meaning. It houses unique poetic and literary inscriptions in the “one poem, one painting” style—recognized by UNESCO’s Memory of the World Programme for the Asia-Pacific region. These inscriptions blend philosophy and art, reflecting the intellectual spirit of the Nguyễn court.

Through the night, the artisans remain diligent and meticulous, handcrafting each intricate detail with unwavering dedication.
The dragon motifs on the columns of Thái Hòa Palace are hand-painted with exceptional craftsmanship and intricate detail.

A local tour guide shared:

“Whenever visitors see the palace under restoration, they always ask when it will reopen. It’s the soul of the Imperial City.”

Thai Hoa Palace is not only a place of royal grandeur, but a national symbol—one that connects modern-day visitors to Vietnam’s dynastic past.

The female artisans are skillfully finalizing the intricate patterns on the roof beam system of Thái Hòa Palace, working diligently through the night.
A unique perspective of the Five Phoenix Pavilion from Thái Hòa Palace, offering a view not everyone gets to see.
The beam and column system glows magnificently after being gilded with gold leaf.

As final touches are completed, the revival of Thai Hoa Palace is a powerful reminder that heritage is not frozen in time—but continually cared for, restored, and reintroduced to future generations.

Add Comment