Cập nhật: 01-01-1970 12:00:00 | Blogs about Vietnam | Lượt xem: 1080
If you are a history or culture enthusiast, you will surely be captivated by the splendid appeal of Hue’s Imperial City. Placed in the heart of Hue, this architectural masterpiece offers a fascinating glimpse into the grandeur of the Nguyen Dynasty - the very last imperial dynasty of Vietnam.
Without a doubt, the Imperial City is a must-visit for anyone seeking an extraordinary cultural immersion during their Vietnam journey. As you stroll through each ancient gate, you will feel transported to a bygone era, where each structure whispers stories of the nation’s glorious feudal past.
The Imperial City (often called “Hoàng Thành” or “Đại Nội”) is a walled enclosure within the citadel of the city of Hue, which served as the Nguyen Dynasty’s seat of power from 1802 to 1945. This complex includes palaces that housed the imperial family, temples, gardens, and villas for mandarins. Situated between the Perfume River and surrounding mountains, the site was believed to provide a harmonious balance of natural elements, essential for prosperity and protection.
In the 19th century, this place played the role of the political, cultural, and religious center of the whole country. Despite suffering severe damage during the Indochina Wars, the Imperial City wonderfully retains much of its splendor and successfully remains a prominent symbol of Hue’s regal heritage. Even today, its imposing walls and intricate structures still stand as a testament to the power and sophistication of the Nguyen Dynasty.
The construction of Hue’s Imperial City was started in 1804 under the reign of Emperor Gia Long, but it wasn’t until three decades later under Emperor Ming Mang that the entire palace system with about 147 works was officially completed. This process involved thousands of people, not only laborers but also artisans and architects. The Imperial City was the heart of the Nguyen Dynasty, functioning as a royal residence, a seat of government, and a cultural epicenter.
During the French colonial invasion afterward, the Imperial City suffered extensive damage due to intense fighting and aerial bombings, which turned many of its buildings into ruins. However, since 1993 when it was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site alongside other parts of The Complex of Hue Monuments, restoration projects have been undertaken to rebuild and preserve key structures within the complex.
Hue’s Imperial City is now one of the most renowned attractions in Vietnam thanks to impressive architecture, serene beauty, and profound cultural significance.
The Imperial City was built on a site of about 520 ha, protected by a massive square wall measuring 2 km on each side (known as the “Citadel”), and ringed by a wide moat filled with water from the Perfume River. The center of the Imperial City is the Purple Forbidden City, an area reserved exclusively for the emperors and their closest confidants. Outside the Purple Forbidden City, you will find an organized grid of courtyards, administrative buildings, temples, and lush gardens. Their symmetrical layout reflects traditional Vietnamese geomancy, with influences from Confucian and feng shui principles.
Despite being inspired by Bejing’s Forbidden City, Hue’s Imperial City was meticulously designed to reflect traditional Vietnamese architecture. It’s aligned with the Perfume River and faces the Ngu Binh Mountain to ensure harmony with natural elements - a core principle of Vietnamese architectural traditions. Apart from that, materials such as wooden beams from nearby forests, ceramic tiles from Bat Trang, and traditional lacquer paint also emphasize local craftsmanship.
Characterized by the elegance and simplicity of Hue’s regional style, the Imperial City showcases Vietnamese artistry through exquisite lacquer paintings, wood carvings, and traditional embroidery from all over the country. Another salient characteristic of the Imperial City is its curved roofs, whose upward-tilting edges are believed to ward off evil spirits. These roofs are also adorned with elaborate carvings of dragons, phoenixes, and lotus flowers, which are symbols of power, prosperity, and purity in Vietnamese culture.
Ngo Mon Gate, or the Noon Gate, is the main southern gate of the Imperial City and is also the largest among the four main gates. Ngo Mon Gate was reserved for the emperor and envoys from other countries. It consists of two main parts: the ground level which looks like a U-shaped fortress with five entrances, and the upper level - a pavilion named “Ngu Phung” (Five Phoenixes).
Thai Hoa Palace was the place that hosted major ceremonies, most notably the coronations of 13 emperors in the Nguyen Dynasty. During the feudal regime, it was considered the political center of the country. This grand palace was built on a 1360-meter-square platform and overlooks a large yard.
The Purple Forbidden City is a rectangular citadel with sides measuring 324 m x 290.68 m. As mentioned earlier, this place was once the residence of the emperors and the imperial family. Inside the Purple Forbidden City are about 50 architectural works of different sizes divided into distinct areas, the total number of which fluctuates over historical periods. Like the Imperial City, the Purple Forbidden City has a strict and symmetrical architectural system. Its structures are symmetrical in pairs along the main axis and were all created in consistent positions.
This complex is a cluster of temples built in the front area of the Imperial Citadel, including Hung To Mieu and The To Mieu on the southwest, and Trieu To Mieu and Thai To Mieu on the southeast. These temples are dedicated to the worship of the Nguyen emperors as well as their ancestors.
Dien Tho Palace is a palace complex where the empress dowagers resided. Located west of the Purple Forbidden City, Dien Tho is the largest among all the remaining palaces in Hue at 17500 m2. There were initially about 20 constructions of different kinds and architectural styles inside the palace, most of them are still well-preserved today.
Spanning a total area of 11740 m2, Duyet Thi Duong is the oldest theatre in Vietnam where Nguyen emperors and their court used to watch traditional performances. Since 2004, it has been open again for visitors to enjoy “Nha Nhac Cung Dinh” - a kind of Vietnamese court music that reached its pinnacle in the Nguyen Dynasty and was recognized by UNESCO as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity. Nha Nhac shows take place at Duyet Thi Duong at 10:00 am and 3:00 pm daily, and their ticket price is 200,000 VND per person.
The Nine Dynastic Urns are nine bronze urns placed on the southwest of the Imperial City, all were cast in late 1835 and completed in early 1837. Each urn has a separate name corresponding to an emperor of the Nguyen Dynasty and distinct carvings on its outside, which include 17 motifs and one calligraphy in various themes such as the universe, landscapes, animals, products, weapons… Together, they form a panoramic picture of the unified Vietnam during this era.
At 17 m, Hien Lam Pavilion is the tallest structure inside Hue’s Imperial City and offers fantastic views of the whole complex. It was built in 1821 under Emperor Minh Mang as a memorial to the previous Nguyen Dynasty emperors, as well as the great mandarins of the dynasty.
Regarding the climate, spring (March to April) and autumn (September to October) are two ideal seasons for a trip to Hue in general and its stunning Imperial City in particular. During these months, the weather is pleasant with moderate temperatures (20°C - 30°C), clear sky, and fewer chances of rain, which are perfect for sightseeing and other outdoor activities.
However, if you prefer a vibrant atmosphere, you should probably plan your visit during the main events of the Hue Festival - a four-season-oriented celebration held in Hue every two years. It typically includes the Ancient Tet Festival in February, the Light Festival in May, the Hue International Art Festival Week in June, the Autumn Festival in September, and the Winter Festival at the end of the year.
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