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01/03/2023
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The famous Thai Hoa Palace in Hue (Source: Collected)
Located in the Imperial Citadel of Hue, Thai Hoa Palace, which was the place of coronation for 13 kings of the Nguyen Dynasty, is one of the most spectacular constructions in Hue that should be on the bucket list of any historical enthusiast. This article will provide an all-in-one travel guide for your trip to this prominent relic.
1. An overview of the history of Thai Hoa Palace Hue
Thai Hoa Palace is one of the most ideal places to visit in Hue for those who desire to explore the culture of the Nguyen Dynasty. This was where many key events under the Nguyen Dynasty took place, such as ceremonies and meetings of kings and mandarins. The name of this palace represents harmony and peace, as “Thai Hoa” means the unification and balance of yin and yang.
Thai Hoa Palace Hue was built in 1805. Up to now, the palace has undergone many renovations. The history of Thai Hoa Palace has three major milestones:
- In 1805: King Gia Long started construction of the palace
- In 1833: King Minh Mang reconstructed and moved Thai Hoa Palace to the south to make it look more magnificent
- In 1923: King Khai Dinh renovated the palace to prepare for his 40th birthday anniversary
In addition to the above milestones, the palace was also repaired many times under the reigns of King Thanh Thai and King Bao Dai. The original features of this palace have been changed to a certain degree, but the overall architectural structure and decoration are still kept intact.
Even now, Thai Hoa Palace is undergoing a major restoration that started in 2021.
Thai Hoa Palace has retained its special beauty through various restorations (Source: Collected)
2. The distinguished architectural features of Thai Hoa Palace
As soon as you arrive at Thai Hoa Palace, you will be surprised by the vastness of this place with a total area of 1,360 square meters. There are 3 main highlights that make Thai Hoa Palace unique as follows:
2.1. The frame system made of ironwood
Wood, in addition to gold, was a symbol of luxury and nobility in the ancient feudal period. Therefore, when building Thai Hoa Palace, the king also had a system of ironwood frames built here. There are a total of more than 80 pillars decorated with eye-catching gold-plated figures of dragons and clouds.
Coming to Thai Hoa Palace, you will see a yellow-painted plate with the words ‘’Thai Hoa Dien’’. Beside are smaller inscriptions stating the time of construction and renovation of the palace.
In the middle of the main hall, there is a wooden throne. Above is a stunning canopy decorated with nine dragon figures. The ceiling is decorated with lanterns and letters of poetry.
Thai Hoa Palace impresses tourists with its outstanding decorations (Source: Collected)
2.2. The overlapping roofs and interconnected houses
The “double-house” structure, with two interconnected halls and overlapping roofs, is an outstanding feature of Thai Hoa Palace. In order to make the palace seem bigger and lessen the pressure on the pillars below, the roof tiles are separated into three sections that overlap one another.
The outer part of the roof is higher while the inner half is lower. This was because the palace could not be erected as high as certain palaces in China due to the differences in Vietnamese weather and architecture. This structural feature not only makes the palace seem more majestic but also hides the concave space between the two roofs.
The architectural style of Thai Hoa Palace attracts not only local but also international visitors (Source: Collected)
2.3 The spiritual numbers 5 and 9 in the architecture
These two numbers can be seen on both the palace’s exterior and interior. There are either 5 or 9 steps on the stairs outside the palace. The roofs of Thai Hoa Palace are covered with nine dragon figures. There are nine dragons on the throne in the main hall as well.
Many people believe that the number 5 represents the center of the cosmos, which is where earth and heaven meet. Meanwhile, the number 9 represents spiritual development and perfection.
The number of steps on the stairs leading to the palace has a spiritual meaning (Source: Collected)
3. How much is the ticket fee to Thai Hoa Palace?
Thai Hoa Palace is one of the most well-known attractions in Hue Imperial Citadel. The reference ticket prices to enter the Citadel are as follows:
- For Vietnamese visitors: 150,000 VND per adult, 30,000 VND per child
- For international visitors: 200,000 VND per adult, 40,000 VND per child
4. Some important notes for your trip to Thai Hoa Palace
- The restoration of Thai Hoa Palace is expected to be completed by August 2025. Therefore, visitors’ experience here may be somewhat affected during this time.
- Although there are no strict regulations, you should dress politely and avoid revealing outfits, since Thai Hoa Palace is a solemn historical site.
- Do not take pictures, record videos, or touch the artifacts inside the palace in order to preserve their historical values.
- Get a sightseeing map in advance so that you will not get lost while strolling around such a large and complex area.
- Do not litter.
After exploring the ancient city of Hue, you can consider visiting Hoi An and Da Nang, as these destinations are near each other.
If you love to explore the rich history and culture of Vietnam, Hoi An has a lot to offer. Here, tourists will be impressed by the ancient town’s colorful lanterns and many attractions such as Ba Mu Temple or Japanese Bridge. In addition, you can enjoy a one-of-a-kind river tour on a traditional basket boat, stroll around the market to feel the vibe of the town, and try delicious local delicacies.
The sparkling lantern-lit alleyways of Hoi An will take your breath away (Source: Collected)
In particular, do not forget to check out VinWonders Nam Hoi An to have a more joyful trip in Hoi An. This top-rated amusement park offers a wide range of exciting activities with its five subdivisions: Adventure Land, Island of Folk Culture, Water World, Harbor Corner, and River Safari. VinWonders Nam Hoi An is the perfect destination for families, friends, and thrill-seekers alike, promising a wonderful experience for everyone.
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Meanwhile, Da Nang is home to long stunning beaches such as My Khe, Thanh Binh, Bac My An, Xuan Thieu, Non Nuoc, etc. In addition to breathtaking landscapes, those who are keen on historical sites can pay a visit to several pagodas and cathedrals here, such as Linh Ung Pagoda, Da Nang Cathedral, and Cao Dai Temple.
Before you come to Hoi An or Da Nang, it is advisable that you book your accommodations in advance. Notably, Vinpearl Resort & Golf Nam Hoi An is a property of the top hospitality brand in Vietnam that visitors should consider staying at. Vinpearl offers travelers a variety of luxurious hotels, resorts, spas, golf courses, conference centers, infinity pools, and many entertainment complexes of international standard.
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Thai Hoa Palace in particular and Hue Imperial Citadel in general are representations of a historical era full of ups and downs in Vietnam. This UNESCO world cultural heritage site is the Nguyen Dynasty’s most magnificent palace in Hue. If you have the opportunity to visit this ancient citadel of Vietnam, do not forget to come to Thai Hoa Palace, which will be one of the most interesting things to do in Hue.
