Visiting tombs in the ancient Nguyen Dynasty

Hue has always been famous for its historical works, ancient beauty which leaves a beautiful impression in the hearts of tourists. It used to be the capital of Vietnam under the Nguyen Dynasty. Focus Asia Travel will share stunning images of how attractive the ancient Nguyen Dynasty tombs are.

Hue Citadel – The most famous mausoleum of the Nguyen Dynasty

Hue Citadel was recognized by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage Site in 1993. The large complex of buildings features hundreds ruins of ancient palaces, temples and monuments from the times when Hue was the royal capital of Vietnam’s Nguyen Dynasty.

Tomb of Gia Long

Gia Long Mausoleum (or Thien Tho Lang) is located in the middle of Thien Tho mountain in Huong Tho commune, Huong Tra district, Thua Thien – Hue province.

Located 16km from the center of Hue, on the top of the Thien Tho Mountain and on the west bank of the Perfume River. Gia Long Tomb is a complex of several royal tombs including the tomb of his mother, the tomb of himself and his wives, and tombs of other royal family’s members mainly built in 6 year, from 1814 to 1820.  History was recorded that Gia Long was the first Emperor of the Nguyen Dynasty of Vietnam who was born in 1762 and died in 1819. Being a man of strong will who had spent his life on battlefields for almost a quarter of a century (1775 – 1801), he finally unified the country and came to the throne in 1802. His tomb consequently bore witness to a military commander’s unflinching character.

Tomb of Minh Mang

Tomb of Minh Mang (or Hieu Lang) is located on Cam Khe mountain, near Bang Lang junction, far from the city center about 12km. The majesty, the tranquility of the architecture, the erotic scenery of nature and the flowers seem to represent the king’s stern personality, scholarly knowledge and romantic soul.

Mausoleum of Thieu Tri

The architecture of Thieu Tri mausoleum is the combination and selection from the architectural model of Gia Long and Minh Mang mausoleum in a peaceful setting of the countryside with surrounding fields, rice fields and orchards. The mausoleum is not surrounded by La Thanh (protective wall around the mausoleum).

Tomb of Tu Duc 

Tomb of Tu Duc (or Khiem Lang) is located in a narrow valley in Thuong Ba village, Thuy Xuan commune, Hue city. Besides the purpose of burial place upon death, this is also a place where the king comes to rest, read books, recite poems so the landscape of the mausoleum is like a large park with a poetic lake, green pine trees. In particular, on the left side of Luong Khiem Palace, there is Minh Khiem theater for the king to watch and sing, which is considered as one of the oldest theaters in Vietnam still preserved.

Tomb of Duc Duc

Visiting tombs in the ancient Nguyen Dynasty of Hue-
Tomb of Duc Duc (or An Lang) is located in An Cuu ward, Hue. Compared with other mausoleums of the Nguyen kings, Duc Duc’s mausoleum has a simple and modest architecture. The mausoleum used Phuoc Qua hill as a criminal record, Tam Thai mountain behind as the occipital and the stream flowing around the front made the water convergence road.

Tomb of Dong Khanh

Tomb of Dong Khanh (or Tu Tomb) belongs to Thuong Hai village, Thuy Xuan commune, Hue. It is located between the mausoleum of Thieu Tri and the tomb of Tu Duc. The mausoleum was built over four generations of kings, lasting from 1888 to 1923. Its architecture is influenced by Western European architecture.

Tomb of Khai Dinh – Mausoleum has a strange architectural style in the Nguyen Dynasty

Khai Dinh mausoleum (or Ung Tomb) is located on Chau Chu mountain, Thuy Bang commune, Huong Thuy district, far from the city. Hue is about 10km southwest. This is the only tomb with a unique blend of East and West architecture.

The mausoleum architecture is extremely meticulous, so the construction cost is also higher than the other tombs. In particular, Khai Dinh is also famous for its 3 murals “hidden elongated vowel” decorated on the ceiling of 3 middle houses in Thien Dinh palace which is considered as the most majestic and valuable in Vietnam.

The above are the oldest tombs of the Nguyen Dynasty. So Hue tourism will surely be an interesting choice for tourists from all over the worlds.