Hue, the ancient capital of Vietnam, has witnessed numerous historical events and fluctuations over the centuries. Throughout its illustrious history, this city has preserved many precious historical relics, each imbued with cultural significance. Among these notable sites, An Dinh Palace stands out not only for its role as the secluded residence of two Nguyen dynasty kings but also for its exquisite beauty and architectural sophistication, evident in every detail and grand landscape.
Journey Through History: Exploring An Dinh Palace in Vietnam
General introduction
Formation history
In 1901, Prince Nguyen Phuc Buu Dao, later known as King Khai Dinh, decided to construct his own palace and named it An Dinh Palace. By 1917, upon ascending to the throne, Khai Dinh undertook a modernization project for the palace, incorporating contemporary architectural styles. After two years, the renovation was completed.
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In 1922, according to the king’s wishes, An Dinh Palace was transferred to the Crown Prince Vinh Thuy, also known as future King Bao Dai. During his reign, King Bao Dai and his family resided in and experienced many events here. Following the August Revolution, as the Nguyen dynasty declined, King Bao Dai and his family temporarily relocated from the imperial citadel to An Dinh before ultimately deciding to settle abroad.
Subsequently, Queen Mother Tu Cung, the last queen of the Nguyen dynasty, donated An Dinh Palace to the revolutionary government. Since then, the palace has retained its original state and has been recognized by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage Site, becoming an unmissable destination for visitors to Hue.
Geographical location
The palace is situated on the bank of the An Cuu River, at 97 Phan Dinh Phung Street, now part of De Bat Ward, Hue City. An Dinh Palace was built in 1917.
A corner of An Dinh Palace, Vietnam
According to the geographical location of the heritage complexes of the ancient capital of Hue, An Dinh Palace belongs to the area outside the citadel (according to Wikipedia). An Dinh Palace is one of the famous tourist destinations rich in historical imprints and ancient architecture, alongside other well-known sites such as Thien Mu Pagoda, Gia Long Tomb, Minh Mang Tomb, Van Thanh, and Ho Quyen. Therefore, you can consider An Dinh Palace as one of the tourist attractions during your Central Vietnam tour.
Ticket price and opening hours
An Dinh Palace welcomes visitors every day of the week with the following opening hours:
- Summer opening hours: From 6:30 am to 5:30 pm.
- Winter opening hours: From 7:00 am to 5:00 pm.
Ticket prices for An Dinh Palace are as follows:
- Adults: 25,000 VND per ticket.
- Children: Free admission.
Unique features
Exquisite architectural fusion of Europe and Asia
An Dinh Palace in Vietnam, rejuvenated in 1917, reflects a subtle blend of Europe and Asia cultures during the era of Western civilization’s influence. Drawing inspiration from European architecture, the structures here cleverly combine modern and traditional styles, adorned with traditional court patterns and motifs.
Trung Lap Shrine
Covering an area of 23,463 square meters, the palace complex serves various purposes for its inhabitants’ daily lives and entertainment. Originally, An Dinh Palace comprised 10 structures, including Khai Tuong Pavilion, boat landing, Trung Lap Shrine, main gate, lake, Cuu Tu Dai theater, and several others.
However, after many historical upheavals and wars, only three main structures remain at An Dinh Palace: the main gate, Khai Tuong Pavilion, and Trung Lap Shrine. Despite bearing the scars of time, the architectural and historical value of An Dinh Palace continues to awe visitors.
The architecture of An Dinh Palace embodies a harmonious blend of European and traditional East Asian styles. The main gate, constructed in a triple gate style, features a floor decorated with delicate porcelain tiles. The Trung Lap Shrine has an octagonal structure, highlighted by a bronze statue of King Khai Dinh.
The front hall and fountain of An Dinh Palace, Vietnam are imprinted with history
Khai Tuong Pavilion, with an area of up to 745 square meters, boasts European castle architecture, with different floors serving different functions. The first floor showcases paintings of Hue tombs, while the second and third floors were once the residence of Queen Mother Tu Cung and are now used as a place of worship.
The dominant color scheme of An Dinh Palace is yellow, combined with traditional patterns such as squares, rectangles, and octagons, creating a unique architectural masterpiece that seamlessly blends modernity with tradition, making it an indispensable destination for exploring the historical and cultural beauty of Hue.
Royal Vietnam Stories Hidden Within
With its splendid historical beauty, An Dinh Palace offers a rare opportunity to explore the daily lives of the royal family in the past.
Among the special stories, An Dinh Palace is particularly associated with the life of Queen Nam Phuong – a woman of talent and beauty, but unfortunately not blessed with complete love.
Queen Nam Phuong, the woman whose story is associated with An Dinh Palace, Vietnam
Originally named Nguyen Huu Thi Lan, a girl of Annamese origin, Nam Phuong captivated attention with her elegance and kind heart, capturing the interest of King Bao Dai. This love led her to the position of queen, but the pink marriage did not last, as the king had a relationship with another woman.
With the pride of an educated woman, Nam Phuong chose the path of silence: quietly living with her mother-in-law at An Dinh Palace and devoting herself to caring for her children. Then, in 1947, she and her children immigrated to France, where she spent her final days.
Experience traveling to An Dinh Palace Vietnam
- An Dinh Palace is located near many famous tourist attractions in Hue. Therefore, before embarking on a journey to explore An Dinh Palace, plan your itinerary to make the most of your time visiting Hue.
- Choose appropriate and respectful attire for visiting, as this is a historical site.
- Maintain the general cleanliness of the grounds by not littering and adhering to personal hygiene rules.
- During your visit, do not touch or move artifacts and furnishings within the palace to preserve the historical and cultural value of the site.
- Lastly, always monitor the weather to make informed decisions for your trip and enjoy every moment at An Dinh Palace safely and memorably.
Outside An Dinh Palace Vietnam
As you conclude your journey through the captivating narrative of An Dinh Palace Vietnam, take with you the echoes of its storied past and the beauty of its architectural grandeur. Hue’s historic jewel, continues to enchant visitors with its timeless elegance and royal legacy.
Contact us for advice and to plan a vacation in Vietnam to immerse yourself in history and experience firsthand the charm of this remarkable destination.
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