Proposing solutions to restore and embellish Hoang A Tuong Palace

On May 7, in Bac Ha district, the Department of Tourism held a workshop to evaluate and propose optimal solutions for the restoration, embellishment and display of the relics and architectural art of Hoang A Tuong Palace, Bac Ha district, Lao Cai province.

Comrade Ha Van Thang, Provincial Party Committee member, Director of the Department of Tourism chaired the workshop.

Conference scene.

Attending the workshop were leaders of several provincial departments and branches; leaders of Bac Ha district; experts in architecture, construction, professionals and people knowledgeable about Hoang A Tuong Palace.

Mr. Tran Xuan Vu presented solutions and plans to restore and embellish Hoang A Tuong Palace.

At the workshop, Mr. Tran Xuan Vu, architect, Head of the Hoang A Tuong Palace renovation project, presented solutions for renovating and embellishing the palace; plans for renovating the external infrastructure, renovating and embellishing the main house and some other construction items.

Regarding the color of the mansion, expert Tran Xuan Vu said: "The mansion was renovated in 2006 and painted yellow. Over time, the paint has worn away and faded, creating an ancient look that makes many familiar eyes think that it is the origin of Hoang A Tuong's mansion."

Hoang A Tuong Palace in 1920 - 1929. Photo archive

For the exhibition and interpretation of the relic, the expert presented exhibition options on the first and second floors of the mansion.

The exhibition space shows the culture of ethnic groups in Bac Ha district, the history of Bac Ha district, the life of indigenous people,...

The exhibition combines practical activities, performances and reconstructions based on available documents and artifacts.

Perspective of restoration and embellishment of Hoang A Tuong Palace. (Photo provided by expert)

In addition, expert Tran Xuan Vu presented a plan to expand the space around the mansion; a plan to renovate and improve the system of the grounds, roof, ceiling, doors, auxiliary works, lighting, planting trees to create landscape...

Delegates expressed their opinions.

At the workshop, delegates proposed a number of solutions for the restoration and renovation of landscape architecture. The general view is that the restoration must ensure historical and cultural factors and especially the consensus of the people so that Hoang A Tuong Palace continues to be a tourist and cultural highlight for visitors to visit and experience in Bac Ha district.

Focus on researching cultural values, architectural art

Mr. Vang Van Lau, born in 1930, former Secretary of Bac Ha District Party Committee.

I was born 9 years after this project was completed. Having spent some time in contact with the Hoang family, I understand quite well the architecture of Hoang A Tuong Palace. According to my grandfather, the main house was built by a Chinese architect, while the houses on both sides were built by French architects. Regarding the paint color, the Palace was painted yellow and white (mainly white). The grounds of the Palace are quite spacious, with many trees planted. Around the Palace there is a bamboo fence and a watchtower...

The restoration and renovation of the building requires careful research into its history, culture, and uniqueness to increase the architectural value of the building; it is necessary to vividly recreate the life of the Hoang family.

Concerned with restoring lost structures

Mr. Ly Quang Can, Bac Ha town.

The second row of houses outside is where Hoang Yen Tchao's wife lives; the middle row inside is Hoang Yen Tchao's living and working area. The entrance to the mansion is quite thick (more than 3 finger joints), the arched door area is painted in many different colors, the facade of the main row of houses has many elaborate and beautiful patterns. The small staircase up and down at the back was renovated during the working period of the Party Committee and the People's Committee of Bac Ha district to make it more convenient to move around.

I propose that the restoration process should restore some of the previously lost architecture. The painting process tries to approach the original architectural state of the mansion.

Ensure harmony in the display space

Mr. Nguyen Thanh Long, Vice Chairman of the Provincial Literature and Arts Association

For the exhibition space, there needs to be harmony, ensuring that when people and tourists come to visit, they will see the unique beauty of the mansion's architecture.

What people and tourists are interested in is seeing the ancient features and having more information and understanding about the architectural values ​​and unique culture of the ethnic groups in Bac Ha district through the representation and reproduction in the space of the mansion.

French expert's view

"...In the history of French colonial architecture, architectural works had two main colors: yellow and white. Yellow was used for secondary administrative buildings, while white was used for prestigious buildings such as main residences.

The most important thing regarding this project is not to hide scientific and historical facts from the public. When the work is done, we should add classical images to explain and let visitors see the project as a standard based on scientific documents and images from that time. The best thing is to respect the historical building. In case we do not know (no documents, photos of the period) but still have to decide, we must explain the choice made (harmony, logic, presentation...)...".

Speaking at the workshop, Mr. Ha Van Thang, Director of the Department of Tourism, highly appreciated the comments, especially the valuable historical documents of the senior delegates providing information about the Hoang family and the unique features in the mansion's architecture.

Director of Department of Tourism - Ha Van Thang spoke at the workshop.

Through the opinions of experts, architects and those knowledgeable about Hoang A Tuong Palace, the Department of Tourism will research and advise on the restoration of lost architectural items and accurately interpret the relic to provide information to residents and tourists.

Field survey at Hoang A Tuong Palace.

The Director of the Department of Tourism affirmed: Hoang A Tuong Palace is a unique construction in the world when combining the East, the West and indigenous elements. The renovation and embellishment is necessary to create a very special tourism product, in line with Bac Ha's desire to build a unique tourist area in the near future.

Source: https://baolaocai.vn/de-xuat-cac-giai-phap-tu-bo-ton-tao-dinh-hoang-a-tuong-post383771.html