King Gia Long's mother's shrine is in ruins, what does the management unit say?

The temple worshiping Queen Nguyen Thi Hoan, also known as Queen Hieu Khang - mother of King Gia Long, is deserted and overgrown with grass...

On July 3, Mr. Hoang Viet Trung, Director of the Hue Monuments Conservation Center, responded to Thanh Nien reporters' reflections on the Thoai Thanh Temple relic, the shrine of Mrs. Nguyen Thi Hoan (1736 - 1811), also known as Queen Hieu Khang, mother of King Gia Long - the first king of the Nguyen Dynasty, being dug up and left desolate.

Panoramic view of Thoai Thanh Temple relic

PHOTO: BINH THIEN

According to Mr. Trung, the area of ​​Thoai Thanh Temple was previously abandoned and encroached by cattle. Recently, the Hue Monuments Conservation Center cleared the trees, revealing the current state of the remaining parts of the relic.

"Currently, this relic is in the process of planning a restoration project, but the procedure is a bit slow, not because of vandalism. We have put up a protective fence. Some of the equipment that our brothers made is still there and we are continuing to clean it up. But because at this time, bushes and grass grow quickly, so it is just visible, not because of neglect as public opinion reflects," said Mr. Trung.

Inside the monument

PHOTO: BINH THIEN

According to records in early July 2025, in the Thoai Thanh temple area, only the foundation remains. Around the foundations, weeds grow wildly, the ground is messy in many places...

The Thoai Thanh Temple relic is located in the Gia Long mausoleum complex (Kim Long Ward, Hue City). According to historical documents, this relic was built in 1811, located in the Gia Long mausoleum complex, on Thien Tho mountain range, Dinh Mon village. The Thoai Thanh Temple is located in a 108 m long and 63 m wide citadel. The main hall has the same architecture as the Minh Thanh Temple (where King Gia Long and his queens are worshiped).

Many structures inside the palace have degraded and collapsed.

PHOTO: BINH THIEN

Some places inside the temple have been dug up.

PHOTO: BINH THIEN

The current state of the Thoai Thanh Temple relic looks shabby.

PHOTO: BINH THIEN

Thoai Thanh Mausoleum and Temple is a relatively standard mausoleum architectural work, with high value in terms of architectural art and decoration.

Up to now, although Thoai Thanh tomb has been restored and renovated, Thoai Thanh temple is still in a state of disrepair and severe damage. In this temple, many structures have collapsed and weeds have grown wild. The main temple, where the altar of Queen Hieu Khang Nguyen Thi Hoan was placed, collapsed a long time ago, now only the foundation remains.

It is known that the Hue City government has also approved the policy of renovating and restoring the Thoai Thanh Temple relic. It is expected that the project will be implemented according to the medium-term public investment plan for 2026 - 2030.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/dien-tho-me-vua-gia-long-hoang-tan-don-vi-quan-ly-noi-gi-185250703084633924.htm