Conducted by the Hue city Monuments Conservation Centre (HMCC), the project aims add the spot tothe list of city attractions, especially for the Hue Festival next month.

The garden, Co Ha, was among five royal gardens in the Hue Imperial Palace. At the beginning of the 19th century, the 1.5ha area used to be an outdoor playground forprinces.

In 1837, King Minh Mang of the Nguyen dynasty (1802-1945) decided to convert it into a royal garden. It became even more beautiful and famous during the reign of King Thieu Tri (1841-47), who built many pavilions, built, as well as a long corridor runningthrough highlighted spots.

The garden was an inspiration for King Tri to compose poems.

Phan Thanh Hai, director of the HMCC, said that, coincidentally, many birds had settled on Doanh Chau Island, near the garden site.

The restoration project will set up three garden houses, based on the original design, taken from old documents. Hundreds of bonsai will be planted, a replica of Kim Nghe bridge erected and lakes, ponds and canals dredged for the addition of water lily and ornamental fish.

Vietnamnet