On 11/1, the Hue City People's Committee (UBND TP Hue) sent a document to management agencies regarding the handling of illegally constructed structures at the emperor Thieu Tri mausoleum complex. The committee approved a temporary preservation of the current state to accommodate worship by residents and tourists during the Tet Binh Ngo holiday. Following this, the Hue Monuments Conservation Center (the center) will dismantle the structure, restore the ground, and return the site to its original condition before 3/3.

An overview of empress dowager Tu Du's tomb. *Photo: Van An*

The city authorities instructed the center to seriously review its experience in implementing projects within the relic area, ensuring compliance with legal regulations on the protection and promotion of cultural heritage values.

Regarding the entrance structure to the emperor Thieu Tri mausoleum, the Hue City People's Committee directed the center to promptly prepare economic and technical reports, in accordance with the 2024 Cultural Heritage Law. These reports must be submitted to the Department of Culture and Sports for appraisal, then presented to the city People's Committee to report to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism for review and feedback before any implementation.

The city People's Committee also stipulated that during the organization of activities in Zone I of the relic and areas adjacent to Protected Zone I, the center must regularly coordinate with the Department of Culture and Sports and other relevant agencies to ensure full adherence to legal procedures.

The *nha ruong* at empress dowager Tu Du's tomb will be dismantled after Tet Binh Ngo. *Photo: Van An*

Empress dowager Tu Du's tomb is situated within the emperor Thieu Tri mausoleum complex in Cu Chanh village, Thuy Xuan ward. During a restoration process from 2023, completed in 2024, the center erected a *nha ruong* approximately 35 square meters in size and 6 meters high, within the tomb area. Additionally, a new *tam quan* gate was built at the entrance to the emperor Thieu Tri mausoleum, adjacent to Protected Zone I (the core of the complex). These structures were not included in planning documents and had not received approval from competent authorities.

The center explained that the outdoor worship space at the tomb was rudimentary, susceptible to weather, and did not meet spiritual activity needs. The unit agreed with a sponsor to construct a traditional *hoang oc* house to provide a suitable space for worship and solemn rituals for the empress dowager.

Meanwhile, the Hue Department of Culture and Sports stated that empress dowager Tu Du's tomb, located within the emperor Thieu Tri mausoleum complex, is an important component of the Hue Imperial Citadel relic complex – a World Cultural Heritage site. All restoration, embellishment, or new construction activities here must comply with the Cultural Heritage Law.

Empress dowager Tu Du (1810-1901), whose birth name was Pham Thi Hang, was the eldest daughter of Pham Dang Hung, Duke of Duc Quoc and Minister of Rites. She was a concubine of emperor Thieu Tri and the birth mother of emperor Tu Duc. She lived through eight Nguyen dynasty emperors: Thieu Tri, Tu Duc, Duc Duc, Hiep Hoa, Kien Phuc, Ham Nghi, Dong Khanh, and Thanh Thai.

By Vo Thanh