Buzz
Huế Citadel encompasses essential architectural structures of the Nguyen dynasty court, the final feudal dynasty in Vietnamese history. To this day, the ensemble still retains the imprints of a turbulent era marked by significant fluctuations.
Huế Citadel – Traces of a Majestic Dynastic Epoch
The Complex of Hue Monuments was recognized by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage site in December 1993. The entire complex comprises approximately 150 structures across 10 main functional zones: The Citadel & Ramparts, Imperial Enclosure, Forbidden Purple City, Royal Temples, Shrine of the Nation, Phung Tien Palace, Dien Tho Palace, Truong Sanh Palace, Inner Ministry, and Co Ha Garden.
Presently, few structures remain within the Imperial City (the Inner Citadel), with around one-fourth having undergone restoration and reconstruction. The majority of other key structures have collapsed entirely due to various factors.
The Construction Process of Huế Citadel
When Lord Nguyen Hoang established the Thuận Hoá territory in 1558, the kingdom of Đàng Trong came into being. Since then, the Nguyen lords have tirelessly built their power and expanded their territories. In 1802, Nguyen Anh defeated the Tay Son dynasty, ascended to the throne as Emperor Gia Long, initiating the Nguyen dynasty, the last feudal dynasty in Vietnamese history.
Gia Long personally designed the blueprint for constructing the imperial capital from 1803 onwards. To build Hue Imperial City, King Gia Long ordered the relocation of 9 villages for redevelopment and to regulate the natural river flow to establish the hydraulic system within the imperial city.
The history of constructing Hue Imperial City is divided into 4 phases. Phase 1, from the early reign of Gia Long to the era of Minh Mang, focused on planning and construction. Phase 2, from the reign of Thieu Tri to the first half of Tu Duc's reign, involved repair and renovation of previously built structures.
Phase 3, from the latter half of Tu Duc's reign to the era of Dong Khanh, was characterized by maintenance, repair, and downsizing of the scale. Phase 4, from the reign of Khai Dinh to Bao Dai, witnessed a transition in Vietnamese-French architectural culture and changes in construction techniques.
Architectural Characteristics of Hue Imperial City
The structures within Hue Imperial City served various functions such as worship, work, dining, sleeping, entertainment, and storage, categorized into groups named in Chinese characters: Miếu (shrines), Điện (palaces), Đường (temples), Các (pagodas), Vu (pavilions), Lâu (storied buildings). Additionally, they exhibited diverse characteristics in terms of ground plan, cross-sectional structure, roof form, height, decoration, and materials.
These structures are primarily rectangular, square, or octagonal in shape. Key structures for the king have rectangular layouts, consisting of 2 or 3 interconnected buildings with double-tiered roofs in the 'Double Phoenix Pavilion' style, while other structures have simple rectangular or square layouts with 1 or 2-tiered roofs.
The foundation of the structures is made of stone, with floors paved with Bat Trang tiles coated in green or yellow glaze, and the load-bearing structure is made of rare precious woods: ironwood, ebony, rosewood, teak, etc.
In the later period of the Nguyen dynasty, decorative bricks, reinforced concrete structures, and brick walls were additionally used. Roofs were covered with various types of tiles such as Thanh Lyu tiles, Hoang Lyu tiles (for high-class structures), Yin and Yang tiles, or rejected tiles (for lower-class structures).
Interesting Facts about Hue Imperial City
The most intact imperial complex
Compared to other imperial relics in our country, the Complex of Hue Monuments is the most intact. With palaces, citadels, temples, tombs, pagodas, and numerous gardens... Hue Imperial City exudes a serene and ancient beauty.
Military Architecture Works
Hue Imperial City was built on the northern bank of the Perfume River, facing south, blending traditional Vietnamese architecture, Eastern philosophical thoughts with the theory of Yin-Yang five elements, and features influenced by Western military architecture.
The Most Precious Royal Treasures Preserved
The Hue Imperial Antiquities Museum was established in 1923 within the Imperial City, initially named Musée Khai Dinh. It was later renamed the Hue Imperial Antiquities Museum in 1993. The museum houses thousands of artifacts including ceramics, wood, bronze, enamel, stone, bone, ivory, horn, and stone sculptures.
Night at the Imperial Palace
During each Hue Festival, the ancient moss-covered roofs of the Hue Imperial Citadel are illuminated with a magical light at night. From the Meridian Gate, ceremonial flags are displayed, lanterns are hung, and the royal guards in traditional attire...
All reenact the ancient imperial life as dusk falls. Visitors here immerse themselves in the mystical space of fog and the intense scent of incense, as if living in the imperial court of centuries past.
Hue Imperial City still holds many mysteries and attractions waiting to be discovered. Contact Mytour to book a discounted tour of Hue, with the opportunity to explore the Imperial Citadel in detail and experience a range of emotions!
According to Mytour
***
Reference: Travel guide from Mytour
