Hue to restore royal palace, school to former glory

The People's Committee of Thua Thien Hue province has approved a plan to restore the Ta Tra building of Dien Tho Palace, in former Hue Imperial City. The restoration, costing 11billion VND (524,000 USD), will begin in 2013.
The Ta Tra building of brick and wood was bombed in the Vietnam War in 1968. It used to be a place where people who wished to have an audience with the Queen Mother waited.
Dien Tho Palace was the first building to be constructed in Hue in 1804. It was the place where the Queen mothers of the Nguyen dynasty lived, took a rest and received visitors.
In another move, the Hue Monuments Conservation Centre will preserve the brick foundations of the former Quoc Tu Giam School ( Royal College ) following its excavation in September.
According to Phan Thanh Hai, the centre's director, the excavation could help archaeologist better preserve the vestiges of the former Hue Imperial City .
The centre plans to turn the excavated area into a nursery of rare and precious trees. The project will start early next year in Huong Ho Commune, Huong Tra district, Thua Thien Hue province.