The Royal Theatre (Duyệt Thị Đường)

Historic Building in Hue

Royal Theatre Citadel Of Hu-Forbidden Purple City
CC BY-SA 2.0 / Francisco Anzola

Duyệt Thị Đường (Royal Theater) is an important historical site located southeast of the Purple Forbidden City within the Hue Imperial Citadel complex. Built in 1826 during the reign of Emperor Minh Mang, this theater was initially intended exclusively for the royal family, making it a significant cultural landmark of the Nguyen Dynasty.

Duyệt Thị Đường holds the distinction of being the oldest working theater in Vietnam. Its architectural and cultural significance stems not only from its age but also from its exclusive use by the imperial family for private performances. The theater was a place where emperors, empresses, and other members of the royal family would enjoy traditional Vietnamese opera and other performances, serving as both a source of entertainment and a means to promote cultural and artistic values within the royal court.

In 2004, after a thorough restoration, the theater was reopened to the public. The restoration efforts were meticulous, ensuring that the interior of the theater was reproduced to match its original appearance as closely as possible. Today, visitors can step inside and experience the grandeur of this historic theater, imagining what it might have been like to be a member of the royal family attending a performance.

While Duyệt Thị Đường might not be considered a must-see attraction for every visitor, it offers a unique glimpse into the cultural life of Vietnam’s imperial past. For those interested in history and traditional Vietnamese performing arts, a visit to the Royal Theater provides a rare opportunity to connect with the artistic heritage of the Nguyen Dynasty in an authentic setting.

The The Royal Theatre (Duyệt Thị Đường) appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Hue!

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Visiting The Royal Theatre (Duyệt Thị Đường)

Address: Duyet Thi Duong Royal Theater FHCH+4C6, Đoàn Thị Điểm Phú Hậu Thành phố Huế Thừa Thiên Huế, Vietnam

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