Hue Royal Theater—Duyet Thi Duong Royal Theater

Introduction

The Hue Royal Theater, also known as Duyet Thi Duong Theater, is the oldest theater in Vietnam that still exists today. It was once a place of entertainment reserved for the king, royal family, high-ranking mandarins, and foreign envoys.

During the Nguyen Dynasty, the Duyet Thi Duong Royal Theater frequently showcased Hue Royal Court Music, royal performances, and ancient plays. Today, this theater has been meticulously restored and is open for sightseeing.

For those interested in the exquisite architecture of the Nguyen Dynasty and the unique experience of Royal Court Music, the Duyet Thi Duong Theater is a must-visit destination when traveling to Hue. To gain more insight into this historic relic, visitors can refer to the article “Hue Royal Theater—Duyet Thi Duong Royal Theater” from Best Hue City Tour.

Where Is Duyet Thi Duong Royal Theater?

Address: Doan Thi Diem Street, Phu Hau Ward, Hue City.

The Hue Royal Theater is one of the best-preserved historical buildings within the Complex of Hue Monuments. This large-scale theater is located to the southeast of the Forbidden City. Along with the Imperial Hospital and the Five Heavens Kitchen, these three structures form a complex that served the daily needs of the royal family.

Additionally, tourists staying in Da Nang or Hoi An who wish to visit Hue and explore its historic sites can book services through Best Hue City Tour, which offers various travel options.

• Hue City Tour From Da Nang – 64 USD/pax
• Hue City Tour From Hoi An – 51 USD/pax
• Da Nang To Hue By Private Car – 61 USD/sedan
• Hoi An To Hue Private Car – 65 USD/sedan

How To Visit Hue Royal Theater?

The Royal Theater is a captivating tourist attraction situated within the Hue Monuments Complex. Visitors planning to explore the Hue Imperial City can easily combine their visit to this theater with many other notable structures, including Thai Hoa Palace, Kien Trung Palace, and Ngo Mon Gate.

Additionally, tourists interested in discovering more famous destinations in Hue may consider some of our exciting tour options listed below:

• Best Hue City Tour Full Day – 57 USD/pax
• Hue City Group Tour – 43 USD/pax
• Hue Imperial City Walking Tour – 20 USD/pax

During these tours, travelers will be accompanied by a professional tour guide who knows a lot of fascinating historical facts about Hue. Additionally, you will have the opportunity to learn about Hue’s culture, architecture, local people, and traditional cuisine when you book one of our tours.

Moreover, travelers can take advantage of our private car services, which can transport them from Hue City to other appealing tourist attractions in Vietnam, such as:

• Hue To Alba Thanh Tan Hot Springs By Car – 43 USD/sedan
• Hue To Bach Ma National Park Private Car – 73 USD/sedan
• Private Car Hue To Ba Na Hills – 91 USD/sedan
• Hue To Quy Nhon By Private Car – 192 USD/sedan
• Hue To Phong Nha By Car Transfer – 94 USD/sedan

Duyet Thi Duong Royal Theater’s History

The Duyet Thi Duong Royal Theater was established during the reign of King Minh Mang, built on the site of the old Thanh Phong Duong Theater. It is located within the Forbidden City, where royal art performances were held to entertain both the court and foreign ambassadors.

The theater underwent its first renovation in 1829, the 10th year of Minh Mang’s reign. However, after the fall of the Nguyen Dynasty in 1945, the theater fell into neglect. Additionally, like many other significant historical structures, it suffered extensive damage due to the impacts of war.

In 1962, the Republic of Vietnam government repurposed the Duyet Thi Duong Theater, transforming it into a teaching facility for the Hue National School of Music (now Hue University of Arts). As a result, the theater’s structure and many of its details were disassembled, losing their original condition.

After the liberation, the government did not promptly restore and preserve this cultural relic, causing it to further deteriorate. It wasn’t until 1995 that the Hue Monuments Conservation Center began a comprehensive restoration of the theater. This restoration process continued until 2002, when it was gradually completed. In March 2003, the Duyet Thi Duong Theater was officially reopened for tourism.

Architecture Of The Royal Theater Hue

The Duyet Thi Duong Theater has a large scale with a total area of ​​nearly 12,000 m², with a construction area of 1,182 m². The remaining part is a campus for cultivating valuable medicinal herbs. This theater serves as an entertainment venue for the royal family and ambassadors from neighboring countries, so it was constructed with impressive decorative details.

Moreover, the theater is built from ironwood (12 meters tall), featuring two floors designed for different purposes. The ceiling is intricately adorned with embossed images of the moon, stars, and sun, allowing visitors to feel as though they are in a miniature universe. The exterior is decorated with carvings of dragons, phoenixes, and other symbols representative of the royal family.

Besides, the square stage is centrally located within the theater. The King sits on the central arch on the second floor, providing him with the best view of the stage. Flanking the King are the Queen and visiting ambassadors. High-ranking officials are seated on long benches positioned on either side of the stage.

Hue Royal Theater Nowadays

After undergoing extensive restorations due to the impacts of war and harsh weather, the Royal Theater Hue has been operational since March 2003. It is currently managed by the Hue Royal Traditional Theater, which is under the Hue Monuments Conservation Center.

Although the theater is no longer in its original state due to these renovations, it still retains many of its original features. Basic details are well restored, such as the gold-painted columns, the lapis lazuli-tiled roof, the stage, and the auditorium, which have been well restored to suit current performances.

Nowadays, the Royal Theatre consists of two floors with distinct functions:

• The first floor includes the stage area, backstage facilities, and the grandstand. Visitors can enjoy Hue royal art performances while sitting on old-style chairs in the grandstand area.
• The second floor is dedicated to displaying costumes, musical instruments, and documents related to traditional royal art.

Additionally, the Hue Royal Theatre has successfully restored 8 out of 11 ancient dances that were originally performed for the Nguyen Dynasty kings. It has also collected 40 royal court songs, along with numerous excerpts from ancient plays and Tuong.

Hue Royal Theater Opening Times & Ticket Prices

The Royal Theater, located within the Hue Imperial Citadel complex, has the following opening hours:

• Summer: 6:30 AM – 5:30 PM
• Winter: 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Visitors are encouraged to arrive early to purchase tickets and to explore the many prominent tourist attractions within the complex.

In addition, the entrance ticket price for the Imperial Citadel includes the Duyet Thi Duong Theater:

• Adults: 200,000 VND/ticket/pax
• Children (ages 7 to 12): 40,000 VND/ticket/pax

For those interested in watching performances of Hue Royal Court Music, Royal Dance, or Tuong, separate tickets are required at a price of 300,000 VND per person. Please note that these performances will only occur if there are at least 10 attendees present.

Additionally, visitors can find updated information on entrance fees for tourist attractions in Hue in our article “Hue Entrance Fee 2025.” Understanding the ticket prices enables visitors to plan a more reasonable and economical tour when visiting Hue.

Duyet Thi Duong Theater Performance Time

When visiting the Hue Royal Theater, guests have the opportunity to enjoy captivating art performances, including Hue Royal Court Music, royal dances, and excerpts from Tuong. Notably, Hue Royal Court Music was recognized by UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity in 2003.

Additionally, Duyet Thi Duong hosts two shows each day, each lasting 35 minutes:

• Session 1: 10:00 AM – 10:35 AM
• Session 2: 3:00 PM – 3:35 PM

Visitors should plan their schedules accordingly to ensure they can attend a performance during these times.

Conclusion

The Hue Royal Theater, or Duyet Thi Duong Royal Theater, is a historical building featuring impressive architecture that is part of the Hue Monuments Complex. Anyone visiting the Hue Imperial City should not miss the opportunity to explore this fascinating attraction. At the theatre, visitors can appreciate its unique architectural style and enjoy captivating artistic performances.

The information provided by Best Hue City Tour offers an overview of the Duyet Thi Duong Royal Theater. We hope this summary helps readers gain a better understanding of this historical structure. Be sure to include the Royal Theatre in your travel itinerary when visiting Hue!