The People’s Committee of the central city of Hue has ordered the dismantling of a traditional-style wooden structure erected at the tomb of Empress Dowager Tu Du, part of the Tomb of King Thieu Tri complex within the Hue Monuments Complex, a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site, shortly after March 3.

According to Official Dispatch No. 467/UBND-CN recently issued by the municipal administration, the city Chairman requested the Hue Monuments Conservation Centre to seriously review its construction activities within the Thieu Tri Tomb relic area.

Regarding the wooden house, also known as “Hoang Oc House”, built on the stone pedestal foundation in front of the burial enclosure of Empress Dowager Tu Du, the city agreed to temporarily maintain the structure during the Lunar New Year period to serve residents and visitors paying tribute, as proposed by the municipal Department of Culture and Sports and the Conservation Centre.

However, the centre is required to dismantle the structure, restore the site to its original condition and ensure the integrity of the monument immediately after the 15th day of the first lunar month of the Binh Ngo year, corresponding to March 3.

For the entrance gate to King Thieu Tri’s tomb, the centre has been instructed to urgently prepare an economic-technical report in accordance with the 2024 Law on Cultural Heritage and its guiding documents. The report must be submitted to the Department of Culture and Sports for review before being forwarded to the municipal People’s Committee and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism for consideration.

During the implementation of any activities within Zone 1 of the relic site and adjacent areas, the centre is required to closely coordinate with the Department of Culture and Sports and relevant agencies to ensure full compliance with legal procedures stipulated in the Law on Cultural Heritage and related regulations.

Previously, on January 6, after a site inspection and legal review, the Department of Culture and Sports confirmed the emergence of two newly constructed structures not included in the approved planning dossier. These include the fixed wooden house covering approximately 35 square metres and a newly built three-entrance gate at the tomb’s entrance, adjacent to the core protection zone of the relic.

Both constructions have raised concerns regarding compliance with heritage preservation regulations, prompting the city’s actions for corrective measures./.