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Huế Imperial City is a collection of significant architectural structures from the Nguyen dynasty, the final feudal dynasty in Vietnamese history. To this day, the complex still retains the imprints of a turbulent era marked by various changes.
Huế Imperial City – Traces of a Vibrant Feudal Era
The Hue Imperial Citadel 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: Gates & Ramparts, Outer Court, Forbidden Purple City, Thai Mieu, The Mieu, Phung Tien Palace, Dien Tho Palace, Truong Sanh Palace, Inner Citadel, and Co Ha Garden.
Currently, few structures remain within the Imperial City of Hue (the Inner Citadel), with around one-quarter having undergone restoration and reconstruction. Most other major structures have completely collapsed due to various factors.
The Construction Process of Huế Imperial City
When Lord Nguyen Hoang established his rule over Thuận Hoá land in 1558, the kingdom of Đàng Trong was founded. From then on, the Nguyen lords continuously built their power and expanded their territory. In 1802, Nguyen Anh defeated the Tay Son dynasty, ascended the throne as Emperor, adopted the regnal name Gia Long, and established the Nguyen dynasty, the final feudal dynasty in Vietnamese history.
Gia Long personally designed the plans for building the imperial capital from 1803. To construct Huế Imperial City, King Gia Long relocated 9 villages for redevelopment and regulated the natural river flows to establish a hydraulic system within the imperial city.
The history of constructing Huế Imperial City is divided into 4 periods. Period 1, from the early reign of Gia Long to the reign of Minh Mang, was the planning and construction period; Period 2, from the reign of Thieu Tri to the first half of Tu Duc's reign, involved repair and renovation activities for previously constructed buildings.
Period 3, from the latter half of Tu Duc's reign to the reign of Dong Khanh, was a period of maintenance, repair, and downsizing; Period 4, from the reign of Khai Dinh to the reign of Bao Dai, was a period of cultural architectural transformation between Vietnamese and French cultures and changes in construction techniques.
Architectural Features of the Buildings in Hue Imperial City
The buildings within Hue Imperial City serve various functions such as worship, work, dining, sleeping, entertainment, and storage... These structures are grouped under Han script names including: Miếu (Temples), Điện (Palaces), Đường (Halls), Các (Pavilions), Vu (Towers), Lâu (Storehouses)... Additionally, there are various expressions in terms of ground plan shapes, cross-sectional structures, roof forms, heights, decorations, and materials.
These structures are primarily rectangular, square, or octagonal in shape. The important buildings for the king have rectangular layouts, consisting of 2 or 3 interconnected buildings with 2-tiered roofs in the 'Double Thiềm Điệp Ốc' style, while the remaining structures have simple rectangular or square layouts with 1 or 2-tiered roofs.
The foundation of the structures is made of stone, with the floors paved with Bat Trang tiles coated in green or gold enamel. The load-bearing structure is made of rare and precious woods such as ironwood, ebony, rosewood, and teak...
In the later period of the Nguyen dynasty, flower bricks, reinforced concrete structures, and brick walls were also used. The roofs were covered with various types of tiles such as Thanh Lyu tiles, Hoang Lyu tiles (for high-end structures), yin-yang tiles, or slate tiles (for lower-tier structures).
Interesting Facts about Hue Imperial City
The Most Intact Royal Palace Remains
Compared to other royal palace remains in our country, the Complex of Hue Monuments is the most intact. With palaces, fortresses, temples, tombs, pagodas, and numerous garden houses... Hue Imperial City exudes a serene and ancient beauty.
Military Architectural Structures
Hue Imperial City was built on the northern bank of the Perfume River, facing southward, blending traditional Vietnamese architecture with Eastern philosophical ideas of yin-yang and the five elements, along with influences from Western military architecture.
The Most Precious Imperial Treasures Still Preserved
The Hue Imperial Relics Museum, established in 1923 within the Imperial City, was initially named Musée Khải Định. It was later renamed the Hue Imperial Relics Museum in 1993. The museum houses thousands of artifacts including pottery, woodwork, bronze, lacquerware, stone sculptures, bones, ivory, horns, and stone carvings...
Imperial Palace Night
During each Hue Festival, the ancient moss-covered roofs of the Imperial City illuminate the night with an enchanting glow. From the Meridian Gate, colorful banners are displayed, lanterns are hung, and royal guards in traditional attire...
All reenact the ancient royal life as dusk descends. Visitors here immerse themselves in a mystical atmosphere of fog and the pervasive scent of incense, as if living within the royal space of centuries past.
Hue Imperial City holds many mysteries and attractions waiting to be discovered. Contact Mytour to book a discounted tour of Hue, offering a detailed exploration of the Imperial City with a myriad of emotional experiences!
As per Mytour
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Reference: Travel guide by Mytour
