Watch station restored in ancient Hue citadel
Two years after forming the dynasty, King Gia Long had four military
watch stations built on top of the palace's fencing walls to the east,
west, south, and north, naming the watch stations, respectively, Dong
Khuyet Dai, Tay Khuyet Dai, Nam Khuyet Dai and Bac Khuyet Dai.
On November 22, the Hue Monuments Complex Centre announced the
successful restoration of the Dong Khuyet Dai at a cost of 11billion VND
(523,000 USD), funded by the centre's budget.
The construction
included a wooden building in the centre, small gardens at two sides, a
brick yard and walls, and two stairs leading to the watch station,
resembling what used to exist on the site.
Of note, researchers
have failed to learn why the dynasty kings preferred Dong Khuyet Dai
and made repeated restorations, compared to the three other watch
stations.
The centre's managers have said they expect to have a
complete system of the royal palace restored, with the station being
one of the renovated sites.
The restored watch station is
expected to lure more visitors to the site, as it offers views of the
adjacent royal gardens Vuon Co Ha, and Hien Nhon Gate which leads
visitors from the palace to the nearby Museum of Royal Artifacts.
According to the centre's director, the completion of the
restoration is timed to coincide with the celebration of Vietnam's
Heritage Day on November 22.-VNA