What is Dien Tho Palace?
Dien Tho Palace, or Dien Tho Residence, is a royal complex inside the Hue Imperial City, located near Truong Sanh Residence and just outside the Forbidden Purple City. It was the official home of the Nguyen Dynasty’s queen mothers and other high-ranking royal women, where they lived, received guests, and enjoyed private gardens away from the main court.
Today, visitors can explore its grand main hall, elegant pavilions, tranquil lotus pond, and shaded gardens, all connected by covered walkways that preserve the quiet, refined atmosphere of Vietnam’s imperial past.
History of Dien Tho Palace
Origins (1804 – Truong Tho Residence)
The complex began in 1804 when Emperor Gia Long ordered the construction of Truong Tho Residence (“Residence of Eternal Longevity”) for his mother, Nguyễn Thị Hoàn. It served as her private home within the Imperial City until her death in 1811, after which the building was dismantled and its materials reused for other royal projects.
Tu Tho Residence (1820)
In 1820, Emperor Minh Mang built a new residence on the site for his mother, Empress Dowager Thuận Thiên. Named Tu Tho Residence, it was centered around a main hall with surrounding gardens and pavilions, designed as a comfortable and refined retreat for the queen mother.
Gia Tho Residence (1849)
Under Emperor Tu Duc, the residence was completely rebuilt in 1849 for his mother, Empress Dowager Từ Dụ, and renamed Gia Tho Residence. This expansion created the largest and most elaborate queen mother’s residence in the Nguyen dynasty, and several structures from this period still survive today.
Ninh Tho & Transition to Dien Tho (1901–1916)
In 1901, Emperor Thanh Thai renamed the complex Ninh Tho Residence, making it the home of his mother, Empress Dowager Từ Minh. In 1916, Emperor Khai Dinh carried out major renovations, introducing Western elements such as glass windows and imported floor tiles, and gave the complex its current name, Dien Tho Palace.
Late Nguyen Period & After the Monarchy (1945–present)
The final resident was Empress Dowager Từ Cung, mother of Emperor Bảo Đại, who lived here until the monarchy ended in 1945. Despite war damage to parts of the Imperial City, Dien Tho Palace survived largely intact and underwent significant restorations from the late 20th century onward, preserving it as the most complete queen mother’s residence in Hue today.
The layout of the Imperial City
To better understand where Dien Tho Palace fits into Hue’s royal complex, it helps to know the basic layout of the Imperial City:
- Hue Citadel – The massive outer fortress with thick walls and a surrounding moat. It enclosed the entire royal capital, including gardens, military areas, and the Imperial City at its center.
- Hue Imperial City – he inner walled section that contained the most important ceremonial halls, temples, and residences for the royal family. This is the main area most visitors explore today.
- Forbidden Purple City – A smaller, enclosed area within the Imperial City that served as the emperor’s private quarters, accessible only to him, his family, and selected attendants.
Dien Tho Palace is located just outside the Forbidden Purple City, in the northwest corner of the Imperial City. It was connected to the emperor’s residence by a covered walkway, allowing the king to visit his mother or grandmother in privacy.
Highlights of visiting Dien Tho Palace today
Many of the buildings in Dien Tho Palace are original or have been carefully restored, allowing visitors to picture the daily life of the Nguyen Dynasty’s royal women. The complex blends ceremonial spaces, private living quarters, and tranquil gardens, all linked by covered walkways that create a quiet, secluded atmosphere.
1. Dien Tho Main Hall (Chính điện)
The largest structure in the complex, this grand wooden hall features a yellow-tiled roof adorned with phoenix motifs, symbolizing the queen mother’s status. Inside are both reception areas and private living quarters, once used to receive guests and host family visits from the emperor.
2. Tho Ninh Hall
A smaller and simpler building located behind the main hall, Tho Ninh Hall was used by other royal women who were not the king’s mother. Its understated architecture contrasts with the more ornate main hall.
3. Truong Du Pavilion
Built on the edge of a rectangular lake, this elegant leisure pavilion was a place for relaxation, surrounded by water, lotus, and ornamental rock gardens. Today, it houses a small café where visitors can take a break and enjoy the peaceful setting.
4. Khuong Ninh Pavilion (Phuoc Tho Am)
A rare two-storey temple within the Imperial City, it combines Buddhist worship with Vietnamese folk beliefs. The upper floor is a prayer hall, while the lower level once housed elderly royal women who had taken religious vows.
5. Tinh Minh Tower
Constructed in a French-influenced style in 1927, this two-storey villa provided a drier, more comfortable residence for an aging empress dowager. It stands out for its modern architecture compared to the traditional wooden halls.
6. Ta Trà House
Once the waiting hall for visitors before meeting the queen mother, this building was heavily damaged in wartime but fully restored. It now serves as a small exhibition space displaying antiques, including a royal carriage and rickshaw.
7. Gardens & Trees
The grounds are shaded by ancient trees such as tamarind, tùng la hán (Buddhist pine), and fruit trees like jackfruit and lychee. Many symbolize longevity and good fortune in Vietnamese culture.
8. Walls, Gates & Covered Walkways
The complex is enclosed by high walls with four gates, the most important being Thọ Chỉ Gate. A large decorative screen stands at the main entrance, the biggest of its kind in Hue, and covered walkways link the buildings in a continuous, sheltered route.
Visiting Tips & What’s nearby
Tickets & Access
Dien Tho Palace is included in the Hue Imperial City ticket. Opening hours are typically 7:00–17:30 in the dry season (February–August) and 7:00–17:00 in the rainy season (September–January).
Tip: Our full-day Hue tour includes the Imperial City, guided insights, and easy transfers between major sights:
Hue Historical City Tour
- Highlights: Hue Imperial City, royal tombs, Perfume River cruise, Dong Ba Market.
- Options: Small-group tour or private tour
Time needed
Plan around 30–60 minutes to explore Dien Tho Palace itself. For the entire Imperial City complex, allow at least half a day, or more if you want to visit multiple sites in detail.
Best time to visit
Early morning and late afternoon offer cooler temperatures, softer light for photography, and fewer visitors.
Dress code & Conduct
Wear modest clothing that covers shoulders and knees, as the Imperial City is a historic and cultural site. Avoid touching artifacts or leaning on historic structures.
What’s nearby in the Imperial City
Nearby highlights within the Imperial City include the Thai Binh Pavilion, Hue Royal Theatre, To Mieu Temple Complex, and Kien Trung Palace—making it easy to combine several stops in one visit.
