Practicing on the re-construction study of “Can Chanh Dien” Palace, Hue Imperial City, Vietnam—world cultural heritage

Abstract

ABSTRACT This article introduces in general about the Complex of Hue Monuments, which has been recognized as the first UNESCO’s World Cultural Heritage site in Vietnam since December, 1993. The ancient city of Hue located in the middle region of Vietnam developed as a base of Nguyen’s family and thrived as a capital of the country from the 19th–20th century. The monuments contained the Citadel, Palaces, Imperial Mausoleum, Temples, and its surroundings great natural environment. Additionally, this article examines the designing methodology of the Imperial Palaces of Nguyen dynasty. Mainly, basing on the historical documents study, sites surveying, dimensional analyzing, investigation on the traditional designing methodology, and old photography analyzing, we try to do experimental reconstruction study on the Plan and Section of the “Can Chanh Dien” palace (CCD Palace) of the Hue Imperial City. The CCD Palace was constructed in 1804 as the main working hall for the Emperors and their cabinets during Nguyen dynasty (1802–1945). Its wooden frame and roofs were completely destroyed in 1947 under Indochina war, only the Platform which contained its basement-stones and others components have been remained. Through this study, the basic dimensions, architectural proportion of the CCD Palace have been re-defined concretely.