Top 5 Most Significant Historical Highlights of the Imperial City of Hue

Cần Chánh Palace runs parallel to the Thái Hòa Palace from north to south and was where the emperor held official meetings.

Considered the most majestic wooden structure within the Forbidden Purple City, Cần Chánh Palace features large timber columns, with the upper frame intricately carved with fine, elaborate designs.

Not many know that, before its complete destruction in 1947, Cần Chánh Palace in the Hue Imperial City hosted the royal wedding of Emperor Bao Dai and Empress Nam Phuong. This rare event occurred only once in 13 reigns of the Nguyen dynasty.

Cần Chánh Palace was primarily used for internal imperial functions, hosting the emperor, his senior officials, and high-ranking ministers. It was the site of major royal ceremonies, including the Great Court Ceremony, which started in Cần Chánh and culminated in the Thái Hòa Palace.

Thái Bình Pavilion is located within the Forbidden Purple City of the Hue Imperial Citadel. It was designed as a royal retreat where the emperor could relax, read, write, or compose poetry in a tranquil, nature-filled environment, ideal for monarchs who appreciated the beauty of nature.

Construction of the pavilion began in 1919 under the orders of Emperor Khai Dinh, with completion in 1921.

The structure is a two-part building, consisting of a front hall, a main building, and a rear section, all connected by drainage channels. The platform is elevated 1 meter above the ground, with the front of the building supported by four brick columns. Above the entrance, the name 'Thái Bình Lâu' is inscribed, with two poems composed by Emperor Khai Dinh flanking the inscription.

The main building is a two-story structure, standing at 9.55 meters tall. The roof is covered with yellow-glazed tiles and decorated with detailed motifs, including bats representing the Five Blessings and two powerful dragons adorning the roof edges. The rear section has three rooms and two wings, with a tiled roof. The gables are adorned with sea shell reliefs, depicting three elderly men wishing each other longevity.

Location: Thái Bình Pavilion is located within the Forbidden Purple City in Hue, Thua Thien-Hue Province. Characteristic: The pavilion served as a place for the emperor to relax, read, or engage in intellectual pursuits.

The Imperial Enclosure is divided into the Ngọ Môn Gate and the Thái Hòa Palace.

• Ngọ Môn Gate: This grand and imposing structure is decorated with intricate, elaborate carvings, demonstrating fine craftsmanship and solid construction. From the Ngọ Môn, looking southward across the Imperial City, you can enjoy a scenic view of the Perfume River. The gate has five openings: the central one for the emperor, two side gates for civil and military officials, and the two outer gates for soldiers and royal attendants, including elephants and horses, who accompanied and protected the emperor.
• Thái Hòa Palace: A symbol of the Nguyen dynasty's imperial power, it stands within the Imperial Enclosure of the Hue Imperial Citadel. As the most significant building in the entire Citadel, Thái Hòa Palace, along with the Đại Triều Nghi Courtyard, was the venue for the most important court sessions of the Nguyen dynasty, including major royal ceremonies.

The Forbidden Purple City is divided into two main sections: Tả Vu and Hữu Vu.

• Tả Vu and Hữu Vu: These two buildings face the Cần Chánh Palace and were constructed in the early 19th century. Tả Vu was designated for civil officials, while Hữu Vu was reserved for military officers.
• These structures were used to prepare for ceremonial events before the royal court sessions, as well as for holding official exams and banquets.
• These two buildings are among the few remaining structures after the wars. Today, Tả Vu is used to display artifacts, while Hữu Vu has become a popular spot for tourists to visit and take photos.

The buildings were renovated twice, once in 1899 during the 10th year of Emperor Thành Thái's reign, and again in 1923 in preparation for the 30th anniversary celebrations of Emperor Khải Định's reign. The renovations gave the structures their current form and architectural style.

Đại Cung Môn is the main southern entrance to the Forbidden Purple City. It consists of five sections and three doors, and was built during the reign of Emperor Minh Mạng in 1833. Emperor Minh Mạng moved the Thái Hòa Palace further south to its current position, and the Đại Cung Môn was constructed to close off the southern side of the Forbidden Purple City.

The structure consists of five sections, with no side wings, and three doors, the central one reserved exclusively for the emperor. The craftsmanship of Đại Cung Môn is extraordinary, with its front facade elaborately painted in red and gilded. The roof trusses follow the Minh Mạng style, with decorative panels featuring classic themes such as the Eight Treasures and Four Sacred Animals, interspersed with poetry and literary inscriptions.

At the back of the structure, two long corridors connect to the Tả Vu and Hữu Vu buildings. These corridors, which face north, are covered with glazed tiles. The central door is solely for the emperor's use, while the corridors behind provide access to Tả Vu and Hữu Vu. The entire structure faces the courtyard leading to the Thái Hòa Palace and was originally built entirely of wood.

Though the Đại Cung Môn was destroyed during the wars, efforts are underway by the Hue Monuments Conservation Center to restore the site to its former glory.