Vietnam to spend $61 mln to restore royal citadel

The central province of Thua Thien-Hue will spend nearly US$61.4 million to restore its imperial citadel and relocate 876 families living along the site’s wall.

According to investors -- the Hue people’s committee and the Hue Ancient Capital Relics Preservation Center -- the restoration project will be begin by the end of this year to be completed in 2015.

Accordingly, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism asked the province to do its best to restore the water system and rock embankment of the citadel using traditional methods.

That means the pavement along the citadel’s wall will be made of traditional Bat trang tiles.

The Hue imperial citadel was built in the 19^th century as the Nguyen Dynasty (1802-1945) central government headquarters. The Nguyen was the last Vietnamese Dynasty.

Nearly 3,000 families live along the citadel’s 10-kilometer wall. All will eventually need to be moved, according to local authorities.