Ngu Phung Pavilion in the Fall of 1945
Standing from the outside of Hue Citadel, Ngu Phung Pavilion stands out on the foundation of Ngo Mon with a layered roof system. The building was built during the reign of King Minh Mang, is the upper floor of the Ngo Mon tower and is considered one of the most unique architectures of Hue Citadel.
The tower has two floors, the frame is entirely made of ironwood with 100 columns. This number symbolizes "hundreds of people" in the world. The lower roof layer runs together, while the upper roof is divided into 9 roof sets, creating a shape that is both massive and elegant.
In particular, the central roof is tiled with yellow Hoang Luu Ly tiles, reserved for the position of the king when attending the ceremony. The remaining eight roofs are tiled with blue Thanh Luu Ly tiles, reserved for the area where officials stand to perform the ceremony.
Under the Nguyen Dynasty, Lau Ngu Phung was used as a ceremonial platform, where many important court ceremonies took place such as Ban Soc ceremony, Truyen Lo ceremony or military parades.
On August 30, 1945, at Ngu Phung Palace, in the presence of tens of thousands of people, King Bao Dai (the 13th and last king of the Nguyen Dynasty) read the Abdication Requiem and handed over seals and swords to the delegation representing the Provisional Revolutionary Government of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam. This event marked the end of the monarchy in Vietnam after 143 years of existence of the Nguyen Dynasty.
That moment made Lau Ngu Phung from a royal podium become a special place in Vietnamese history. From a place that witnessed royal ceremonies, the work witnessed the moment of power transition and the birth of a new regime.
Red address for the younger generation to return to history
A few days after the event in Hue, on September 2, 1945, at Ba Dinh Square, Hanoi, President Ho Chi Minh, on behalf of the Provisional Government, read the Declaration of Independence, declaring to the nation and the world the birth of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam. The current Constitution defines the date of the Declaration of Independence September 2, 1945 as the National Day of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.
Two locations, two events taking place in the historic days of late August, early September 1945, both marked a major shift of the country from a monarchy to a new regime.
Since then, National Day 2/9 has not just been a holiday. This is an opportunity for each Vietnamese person to look back at the moment when the country entered the era of independence, and at the same time recall the journey of struggle, construction and defense of the Fatherland after the founding day.
Today, Ngu Phung Pavilion not only attracts tourists with its architectural value but is also a destination that many people, especially young people, come to learn about history. Stories associated with the autumn of 1945 help young people have a more visual and closer approach to history, thereby understanding more about the important milestones of the nation.
Mr. Huynh Van Hieu (26 years old, from Da Nang City) shared that every time he returns to Hue, he usually stands in front of Ngo Mon a little longer to admire the Ngu Phung Pavilion. He believes that what makes him want to stop is not only the beauty of the project, but also the feeling of standing in front of a place that has witnessed a special moment of the country.
In my opinion, this is not only a beautiful architectural work but also a "red address" for the young generation to learn about history, understand more about the events that have taken place on this land and further appreciate the value of peace and independence today" - Mr. Hieu expressed.
The Hue Ancient Capital Relic Preservation Center said that today, the unit organizes the recreation of some ancient rituals in the Ngu Phung Pagoda area in the morning, helping visitors to imagine part of the ritual space of the Nguyen Dynasty. Every National Day season, when red flags with yellow stars cover the streets and people return to historical sites, Ngu Phung Pagoda reminds them of autumn 81 years ago, when an era closed in Hue and the country entered a new journey.
