An Dinh Palace: Hue's Hidden Gem Travel Guide

An Dinh Palace, nestled along the tranquil banks of the An Cuu River, is lesser-known compared to other sites in Hue, but is without a doubt one of the must-visits. Steeped in rich history and architectural splendor, An Dinh Palace offers visitors a captivating glimpse into the royal heritage.

Whether you're a history enthusiast, an architecture aficionado, or simply seeking a serene escape from the bustle of modern life, An Dinh Palace promises an unforgettable journey through time. So, let us embark on this adventure together and immerse ourselves in the grandeur of Vietnam's royal legacy at An Dinh Palace.

Where Is An Dinh Palace? How To Get There?

Location: 179B Phan Dinh Phung Street, De Bat Ward, Hue City.

An Dinh Palace is only about 2 - 3 km away from the city center, so it is very convenient to get there by any means of transportation. But if you want to explore at your own pace, rent a motorbike.

Starting from Trang Tien Bridge, go straight along Hung Vuong Street, at the intersection, turn right onto Phan Dinh Phung Street. After a short distance, you will see signs for An Dinh Palace. You can find parking outside or within the palace.

An Dinh Palace History

An Dinh Palace, situated in Hue, Vietnam, was constructed in 1917 by Khai Dinh, who became Emperor and designed the palace with a blend of French Gothic and indigenous styles.

The palace, overlooking the An Cuu Canal, features three stories adorned with imperial-yellow façades displaying Italian Renaissance and neoclassical influences. Intricate bas-reliefs adorn the palace. The interior murals, possibly crafted by Le Van Mien, offer a unique fusion of European and Vietnamese artistic perspectives.

While ruling was not Khai Dinh's primary interest, architecture was his passion. An Dinh Palace, unlike the larger palace in the Forbidden Purple City, served as a place for pleasure, socializing, and potentially romantic encounters (there were rumors going around about Khai Dinh being a homosexual but they were never confirmed).

After years of neglect, An Dinh Palace underwent restoration led by the Germans. They restored the palace over a two-year period, meticulously removing layers of paint to reveal the intricate floral decorations. The restoration efforts also included the preservation of original furniture and the training of local artisans in restoration techniques.

The palace also hosted Vietnam's last two queens, Tu Cung and Nam Phuong, at different periods in the 20th century. Despite its historical significance and restoration, An Dinh Palace remains relatively mysterious, typical of the sites in Hue.

What To See At An Dinh Palace

Over the course of 100 years, An Dinh Palace now only retains three relatively intact structures: the main gate, Trung Lap Communal House, and Khai Tuong Pavillion. The main gate consists of two stories, intricately adorned with embossed porcelain.

Trung Lap Communal House, placed in front of the Pavillion, is built in a hexagonal shape. The roof of the communal house is adorned with 12 dragon sculptures, facing 8 directions. A life-sized bronze statue of King Khai Dinh is placed in the middle.

Khai Tuong Pavillion is the main structure of the complex, covering an area of ​​745 square meters, consisting of three floors and 22 rooms. The first floor has 7 splendidly decorated rooms, the most outstanding being the grand hall; the second floor is for leisure, with 8 rooms; and the third floor has 7 rooms for ancestor worship. The name "Khai Tuong" was personally chosen by King Khai Dinh, meaning “where auspiciousness starts”. On the first floor, there are 6 paintings depicting the 6 royal tombs.

Bach Tra Vien (Camelia Garden)

Recently, An Dinh Palace has become one of the hottest destinations in Hue following the release of the music video "Khong the cung nhau suot kiep" (Unable to Be Together for a Lifetime) by Vietnamese singer Hoa Minzy. This is also where the Vietnamese film “Gai Gia Lam Chieu V” (Old Woman with Many Tricks V) was shot. The crew even had a garden constructed behind An Dinh Palace just for the movie, called Bach Tra Vien, or Camellia Garden, which cost over 2 billion dongs.

In addition to camellias, the crew also planted roses, trees, and installed a water fountain and angel statues. Bach Tra Vien is a captivating blend of classical European and Asian architecture, in harmony with the overall architecture of An Dinh Palace.

Visiting An Dinh Palace

Opening hours:

06:30 AM - 05:30 PM in the summer;

07:00 AM - 05:00 PM in the winter

Entrance fee:

50.000 VND/adult

Free for children under 12 years old

>>> Hue Imperial City Tour

>>> Top 7 Best Things To Do At Night In Hue