Hue Imperial City served as the capital of the Nguyen Dynasty for 143 years, boasting a vast and monumental complex that bears immense historical and architectural significance.
Hue Imperial City represents the golden age of the Nguyen Dynasty, featuring a magnificent system of royal palaces.
It has since become a must-visit tourist destination for both local and international visitors.
This article will provide an in-depth guide to the ancient capital, ensuring a complete and unforgettable sightseeing experience when tourists explore Hue.
- Overview of Hue Imperial City – a must-see attraction in Hue
- The special structure of Hue Imperial City and its highlights
- Hue Imperial City entrance fee and opening hours
1. Overview of Hue Imperial City – a must-see attraction in Hue
1. History
In 1802, immediately after unifying the country and ascending to the throne, Emperor Gia Long – the first emperor of the Nguyen Dynasty – chose Hue as the site to construct the imperial city.
At that time, people only traveled by elephants and horses, so the emperor believed that the capital should be situated at the center of the country for convenient transportation and communication.
After that was the planning of the Imperial City of Hue. Construction commenced in the summer of 1805.
Emperor Gia Long and the high-ranking officials of the Nguyen Dynasty undertook the entire location survey process.
The imperial city complex was completed in 1832, under the reign of Emperor Minh Mang.
2. Architecture
Imperial City Hue Vietnam, situated on the northern bank of Perfume River, covers an expansive area of 520 hectares.
To embody the sentiment from the Book of Changes, “The wise person faces south to hear the world” (meaning the king must be in tune with the people he rules), all the architectural structures within the complex face towards the south.
The rampart that encircles the complex stretches almost 10 kilometers long, stands 6.6 meters tall, and is 21 meters thick.
The rampart is curved and fortified, covering evenly spaced fortresses. Surrounding the rampart is a system of rivers and moats that serve both as a defense and waterway transportation system.
The citadel is home to ten main gates:
- North Gate (Hau Gate)
- West-North Gate (An Hoa Gate)
- West Gate
- West-South Gate (Huu Gate)
- South Gate (Nha Do Gate)
- Quang Duc Gate
- The Nhon Gate (Ngan Gate)
- East-South Gate (Thuong Tu Gate)
- East Gate (Dong Ba Gate)
- East-North Gate (Ke Trai Gate)
2. The special structure of Hue Imperial City and its highlights
1. Imperial Citadel
The Imperial Citadel (Hoang Thanh) is the second citadel located within
Hue Imperial City, with a system of palaces and more than 100 large and small structures surrounded by four gates on all sides.
The primary entrance, Ngo Mon, is situated in the South and was constructed in the 14th year of Emperor Minh Mang’s reign in 1834.
2. Forbidden City
The Forbidden Purple City (Tu Cam Thanh) served as the private residence of the Nguyen Dynasty’s emperors during their reign from 1802 to 1945.
The citadel was specifically designed to be a secluded area, inaccessible to the general public, and only accessible to the emperors, the royal families, and selected officials.
The Forbidden City was also intended to be a place of spiritual importance, as it housed the private shrines where the emperors performed their religious rituals.
Today, the Forbidden City is a popular tourist attraction and an important cultural heritage site in Vietnam.
The citadel underwent extensive restoration work after being heavily damaged during the Indochina Wars.
The restoration work was carried out using traditional techniques and materials, and many of the original structures were restored to their former glory.
Visitors can now explore the various landmarks within the Forbidden City, including Thai Hoa Palace, Hien Lam Pavilion, and Tu Phuong Vo Su Pavilion, among others.
3. Other historical relics
Hue Citadel comprises not only the notable edifices of Hue Imperial City and the Forbidden Purple City but also a plethora of invaluable historical relics.
Among them is the Flag Tower, an imposing structure situated near the south bank of Perfume River that served as a military observation post.
The Imperial Academy is another impressive site within the citadel, once the highest educational institution of the Nguyen Dynasty and responsible for educating the country’s scholars and mandarins.
3. Hue Imperial City entrance fee and opening hours
Hue Imperial City entrance fee is as follows:
- Adults: 200,000 VND
- Children (7-12 years old): 40,000 VND
- Visitors can also opt for a guided tour, which will charge an extra 150,000 VND per guide.
Hue Imperial City opening hours differ between summer and winter:
- Summer: 6:30 AM – 5:30 PM
- Winter: 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM