A ground-breaking ceremony for the conservation of Ngo Mon (Noon Gate)
vestige in Hue’s ancient imperial citadel complex got underway on
March 21.
Conducted by Vietnam’s Central
Sub-Institute for Building Science and Technology, the first phase of
the project – costing 43.38 billion VND (2.1 million USD) – is expected
to be completed in December, 2015.
Visitors will still be able to explore Dai Noi (imperial citadel) via Noon Gate’s ground floor during the conservation.
Built in 1837 in the Nguyen Dynasty, the gate, with its U-shape
architecture, was the main southern entry to the Hue imperial
citadel where significant royal events took place. After decades of
history and wars the gate is seriously downgrading.
The relic has undergone a couple of restorations, the latest of which
was carried out between 1991 and 1992 with 100,000 USD from the Japanese
Government.
As an important part of the Hue complex,
recognised by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, Noon Gate bears
historical and cultural values not only for Hue city but the also entire
nation.-VNA