VND123 billion (US$5.2 million) has been set aside to restore Kien Trung Palace.
The palace was completely destroyed during the Second World War, and hasn't been touched since. It was home to the last two kings of the Nguyen Dynasty, Khai Dinh and Bao Dai,according to Dan Tri. Khai Dinh built it in 1923 using a mixture of French, Italian, Renaissance and classic Vietnamese architectural styles.
The Hue Monuments Conservation Centre will oversee the restoration, which includes building two stories, three stone stairways with carved dragons, and a rooftop embossed with a dragon. Phan Thanh Hai, the center's director, has been researching on the restoration effort for the past five years and will rely on photographs for the undertaking. The news source, however, didn't elaborate on when restoration work will begin.
The restoration is another example of Hue's ongoing efforts to retain and preserve its unique cultural legacy. Over the past twenty years, more than US$65 million has been spent protecting the UNESCO Heritage site. Recently updated sites include music venues and the elaborate An Dinh Palace. While initially 100% of the necessary funding came from foreign sources and the central government, local authorities now pay for 80%. Along with increased capital resources, Hue authorities are slowly becoming experts in restoration and recently partnered with US-based 3D technology experts for their work.
Have a look at some photos of the Kien Trung Palace in its past glory:
[Photos via Tach Ca Phe]
