Strange structure at King Thieu Tri's tomb to be dismantled soon

Two works not in the design documents

The Department of Culture and Sports (VHTT) of Hue city has sent a document to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (VHTTDL) and the Department of Cultural Heritage reporting on the content related to the construction of works at the relic of King Thieu Tri's tomb, causing public stir in recent days.

Previously, on January 5, from Lao Dong Newspaper's reflection on the appearance of a "strange project" inside the tomb of Empress Tu Du of Nghi Thien Chuong in Hue that was not in the approved restoration dossier, the Department of Cultural Heritage requested the Department of Culture and Sports of Hue City to organize inspection and verification at the scene of the project implementation, and report to the People's Committee of Hue City and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism the results of inspection and resolution before January 9, 2026.

A report from the Department of Culture and Sports of Hue City said that in the area of King Thieu Tri's tomb relic, there are currently two new construction projects, not mentioned or proposed for construction before in related restoration and embellishment projects appraised and approved by the People's Committee of Hue City and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

The first project is the Ruong house built fixedly on the foundation of the foundation in front of Buu Thanh tomb of Empress Dowager Tu Du. This is located in the protection area I (core area) of the relic. The Ruong house has an area of about 35m2; height of about 6m. The structure consists of 16 wooden columns, a wooden truss system, and a tiled roof.

The second project is a wooden gate built at the entrance to King Thieu Tri's mausoleum, adjacent to the protection area I of the relic. This is a three-entrance gate, consisting of one main entrance in the middle and two auxiliary entrances on both sides. Concrete foundation, wooden upper structure.

Must restore the original site of the relic

According to the official dispatch of the Department of Culture and Sports of Hue City, King Thieu Tri's tomb is an important component of the Complex of Hue Ancient Capital Relics - World Cultural Heritage; has been ranked as a special national relic by the Prime Minister and ranked as a national relic by the Ministry of Culture and Information (now the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism). Therefore, all renovation, restoration, and new construction activities here, even on a small scale, must strictly comply with regulations.

According to the Guidelines for the implementation of the UNESCO World Heritage Convention, member states are responsible for notifying the World Heritage Committee in advance of major construction or renovation activities in heritage areas that may affect Global Outstanding Values (OUV). The construction of new works in the mausoleum area - the core component of the heritage dossier - although not large in scale, still poses a risk of affecting the authenticity and integrity of the heritage if not strictly controlled. With domestic law, this is a violation of the provisions of Clause 6 and Clause 9, Article 9 of the 2024 Law on Cultural Heritage.

The Department of Culture and Sports proposed that Hue City People's Committee consider directing the Hue Ancient Capital Relic Preservation Center to immediately dismantle illegal construction works located in protection area I and adjacent to protection area I of the Thieu Tri King's Tomb Relic; implement technical measures to restore the original site of the relic. Organize self-criticism, clarify the responsibilities of collectives and related individuals...