Bảo tàng lịch sử Quốc gia

In the general plan of the center of the site of Lam Kinh, besides palaces of great extent and of particular importance such as the Principal Palace, the Thai Mieu and other supplementary architectural constructions, two other constructions are to be found: The Ta Vu and the Huu Vu,

The two palaces Ta Vu and Huu Vu are situated in front of the Principal Palace, inside the Nghi Mon (Nghinh Mon), which is the main gate leading to the center of the palaces, and which is adjacent to the east and west sides of the dragon yard. Throughout their existence, like other constructions of Lam Kinh, these two constructions have been completely levelled down, and what remains is only traces of foundations, hidden in a rectangle of earth, 1m higher than the surroundings, and only in the popular memory.

The site of Lam Kinh was before the district Lam Son, earth of origin of the kings Le, considered as the second capital of the Dai Viet of the Le, after Dong Do – Thang Long (Hanoi). Having extremely important historical/cultural values for the dynasty of the posterior Le, the site of Lam Kinh attracts the interest of the population of the whole country, in particilar historians and archaeologists… However, the palaces Ta Vu and Huu Vu are known rather late. They are marked in the general plan of the site only in 1974. Though many historical mysteries are surrounding these two constructions, such as their names, their usage and their relations with the central palaces, they constitute nevertheless a notable result of research of the archaeologists of the Museum of History of Vietnam.

So far, we only heard of Ta Vu and Huu Vu through the annals on the palaces Ta Vu and Huu Vu at the site of Dai Noi (Hue). After the Dai Nam Hoi Dien Su Le, their function is to serve the king (serve the tea), to serve as place of interview of the king for dignitaries (preparation of ceremonies, clothes, costumes of ceremony), civil (Ta) or military (Huu). Ta Vu and Huu Vu are two constructions, situated at two sides of the palace Can Chanh, daily working place of the kings Nguyen. Ta Vu and Huu Vu have been constructed in 1819 (18^th year of Gia Long) at the same time as the palaces Ta Phuong and Huu Phuong (which were renamed as Van Minh and Vo Hien in 1824, 5^th year of Minh Mang).

As for their structure, Ta Vu and Huu Vu have both 5 cases and 2 lateral rooms, multiple roofs turned toward each other. On the left of the construction is the cabinet of state affairs, the southern room is the room of the council of ministers, at the north-east, behind the construction is the door Dong Cac. The lateral room in the north of the right construction is the cabinet of Arms, the lateral room in the south is the tea-room (where is prepared the king’s tea). In the south of the constructions are verandas leading to the right and the left of Dai Cung Mon, in the north of the constructions are verandas leading to the right and the left of the palace Can Chanh. At the 12^nd year of Minh Mang (1831), the palaces Ta Vu and Huu Vu are repaired. In 1996, they are once more repaired and embellished and are still in usage.

Thus, in the history of Vietnamese architecture, beside the palaces Ta Vu and Huu Vu of Dai Noi (Hue), there are still the palaces Ta Vu and Huu Vu of Lam Kinh, constructed in the 15^th century. They are the most antique palaces of this type known so far (such palaces do not exist before the Le). Actually, opinions are divided as for their name and usage. About the name, some ones are based on the rectangular portion of earth oriented north-south to propose the name of “giai vu”, others are based on the situation of the palaces in front of the Principal Palace to propose the name of “mac” (muc, yeux)… About their usage, most give them the same usage as the palaces Ta Vu and Huu Vu of Dai Noi (Hue), some ones add to this the usage of serving the ceremonies of Thai Mieu and of the tombs, because it is here the sector of palaces, temples and tombs of the Le.

All the above opinions are only working hypothesises, because the annals of the Le mention nothing about Ta Vu and Huu Vu. These hypothesises need to be proved by archaeological vestiges found in the soil of Lam Kinh.

The Dai Viet Su Ky Toan Thu reports that in 1506, under Le Hien Tong, in spring (January), the king decides that he intends to build palaces at Lam Kinh. The book also mentions in this paragraph the arrivals of the king to Lam kinh (twice consecutively in February and April 1506), followed by his death shortly after. Thus, the above paragraph shows that very probably the two palaces Ta Vu and Huu Vu are built in this period according to the type “giai vu”.

Nguyen Van Doan