More than VND 105 billion (US$ 4.9 million) will be allocated to restore and conserve King Tu Duc’s tomb in Hue City, announced the Thua Thien – Hue provincial People’s Committee on November 17.
The five-year project, with funding sourced from the State budget and other resources, will focus on six areas: Luong Khiem Palace, Chi Khiem Worshipping House, Le Khiem and Phap Khiem houses, Tieu Khiem Tri and Luu Khiem lakes.
Luong Khiem Palace was the King's resting place, and was later used to worship his mother while Chi Khiem House sheltered the altar to worship the King's wives. Phap Khiem and Le Khiem houses were dedicated to commemorate military and civil mandarins.
The project will help consolidate structure of the imperial relics, retile their roofs and floors, and improve the interiors.
The money will also be used to upgrade handrails and embankments on Tieu Khiem Tri and Luu Khiem lakes.
Earlier, the Hue Relics Project Management Board launched a VND26.2 billion (US$1.2 million) project to restore Du Khiem pier, the Xung Khiem floating pavilion and Khiem Cung Gate of the tomb.
Covering around 12 hectares on Van Nien hill in Thuy Xuan Ward, Hue City, King Tu Duc’s Tomb was constructed between 1864 and 1867. Nearly 50 constructions built inside the surrounding wall included the word ‘Khiem’ (Modesty) in their names.
The tomb is a typical example of traditional royal mausoleums of Nguyen Dynasty and one of the most visited tourist attractions in the ancient capital.