Hue's Glorious Revival: Dien Kien Trung Awakens After 72 Years

After 72 years, Dien Kien Trung has finally returned to its majestic and resplendent form. Hãy nghe Nguyễn Thế Dương (Quảng Ninh) một travel blogger nổi tiếng bật mí .

Once a prominent architectural landmark within the Hue Imperial City complex, Dien Kien Trung had been forgotten for decades until its recent magnificent restoration, now making it a captivating destination for tourists in Hue.

Image source: Collected

Officially reopened after a 5-year renovation, Dien Kien Trung has welcomed visitors and become a must-visit attraction when exploring the ancient capital of Hue. Checking in at Dien Kien Trung, tourists surely cannot take their eyes off its majestic and grandeur beauty. The site evokes strong emotions, reviving a legend after 72 years of abandonment, standing gracefully amidst the heart of the ancient city of Hue.

Dien Kien Trung is one of the key architectural structures within the Nguyen dynasty's architectural system at the beginning of the 20th century. Its name "Kien Trung" holds a significant meaning; "Kien" implies construction and creation, while "Trung" conveys directness.

Previously, at the location of Dien Kien Trung, King Minh Mang constructed the Minh Vien Pavilion with three stories, renowned as the "First Scene of the Royal Residence." By 1876, due to severe deterioration, King Tu Duc ordered the dismantling of the structure. In 1913, King Duy Tan initiated the construction of a completely new architectural work in a modern style, named the Du Cuu Pavilion.

Image source: Collected

Dien Kien Trung was officially constructed from 1921 to 1923 during the reign of Khai Dinh. It is one of the five major buildings along the central axis of the Imperial City of Hue, alongside structures like Thai Hoa Palace, Can Chanh Palace, Can Thanh Palace, and Khon Thai Pavilion. During its initial construction phase, Dien Kien Trung was designed in a neoclassical style, characterized by its grand scale and intricate details typical of the Khai Dinh era, particularly highlighted by its decorative motifs using pieces of porcelain on lime plaster.

On February 16, 2019, the Hue Monuments Conservation Center undertook extensive restoration and enhancement of Dien Kien Trung with a budget exceeding 120 billion Vietnamese dong. This restoration project aimed to fully refurbish both the interior and exterior of the structure. By the Lunar New Year of the Year of the Dragon in 2024, Dien Kien Trung was officially opened to the public, becoming a captivating destination for visitors within the architectural ensemble of the Hue Imperial City.

The architecture of Dien Kien Trung exudes the grandeur typical of Nguyen dynasty architectural masterpieces, yet it also strongly reflects the Vietnamese architectural essence of the early 20th century, blending French and Italian styles with ancient Nguyen dynasty motifs. The space of Dien Kien Trung encompasses three main areas: the landscape garden, the front facade, and the interior.

Image source: Collected

The Landscape Garden is a vast space adorned with lush green lawns, meticulously pruned ornamental trees, and two ancient-style resting pavilions. The most striking feature of Dien Kien Trung's architecture is its front facade. This area boasts three dragon-shaped staircases, symbolizing prosperity, which visitors can ascend to reach the palace's platform. The main floor of the palace is designed with 13 ornate doorways, including 5 central doors flanked by three on each side, and additional protruding corners with two doors each. The upper floor follows a similar layout to the main floor.

The unique highlight of the palace's facade is the art of porcelain mosaic, featuring intricately designed patterns. The door system is painted in vibrant red and gold, adorned with porcelain mosaics depicting dragons—a symbol of Nguyen dynasty authority—on the palace walls. Crafting these dragon motifs required artisans to skillfully combine various pieces of porcelain. Aside from dragons, the facade also features porcelain mosaics of mythical creatures like nghê (a lion-like animal) and lân (a unicorn).

Image source: Collected

Inside the palace, the interior design shares similarities with the furnishings of An Dinh Palace. The space exudes regality and power, dominated by golden hues and impressive patterns. Within Dien Kien Trung, the Hue Monuments Conservation Center showcases priceless royal artifacts from the Nguyen dynasty, including the daily attire of King Khai Dinh, the embroidered golden dragon shoes of Crown Prince Vinh Thuy (later Emperor Bao Dai), royal palanquins, mother-of-pearl inlaid cabinets, and more.

After 72 years, Dien Kien Trung has finally returned to its majestic and resplendent form. It promises to be one of the most captivating tourist attractions within the architectural ensemble of Hue Imperial City. Therefore, don't miss the chance to check in when visiting the ancient capital.

Nguyễn Thế Dương (Quảng Ninh)