The left corner of Phu Van Lau, a well-known building within the Hue Royal Citadel in the central province of Thua Thien-Hue, has been being consolidated to preserve the stability of the site.

According to director of the Centre for Preservation of Hue Monuments Phan Thanh Hai, the provincial People’s Committee has worked with the Ministry of Construction’s Institute for Construction Science and Technology to repair the section of the building which collapsed on May 15.

Hai said construction units have partially reinforced the system of wood columns, which were rotten and could not sustain the pressure of the roof, which partially collapsed.

Phu Van Lau is located on the main axis of the Imperial Citadel of Hue, facing the Huong (Perfume) River. It was built in 1819 under Emperor Gia Long and used as a place for listing the important edicts of the king and the royal court and analysing the results of examinations held by the court.

Before 1975, Phu Van Lau was restored, using concrete frames combined with a number of wooden pillars. Since 1993, the building has been restored a few times, but only on a small scale due to funding difficulties.-VNA