Picture Stories - Historical Places - Visit Hue

Located at the geographical centre of Vietnam, Hue is the provincial capital of present day Thua Thien Hue. But it was the national capital in the era of the Nguyen Dynasty (1802-1945). The country was reunified and named Vietnam by its first emperor Nguyen Phuc Anh or Emperor Gia Long. He gained control over warring factions in the south and north with help from the French. Much of what remains as monuments and relics today were mostly created from the riches of the Nguyen period. A significant group of them were collectively accounted as the Complex of Hue Monuments in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Hue was the seat of imperial administration and cultural accomplishments. During the reign of the first 3 Nguyen emperors, it was the golden age of feudal society in Vietnam. However, towards the end, Hue became the tragic city of political intrigue and struggle against foreign domination and civil wars. The last emperor Bao Dai abdicated and handed power to the communist government of Ho Chi Minh at Ngo Mon Gate of Hue citadel.

Hue was founded as Phu Xuan by Vietnamese in 1687 but origins of the area actually dates beyond 2 millennia. The early inhabitants were Cham people of Sa Huynh culture. In 1306 the region – Thuan Hua (in which the later Phu Xuan was located) was ceded by a Champ king to the Vietnamese in the north in exchange for a Tran princess. Vietnamese started settling southwards in significant numbers at the end of the Tran Dynasty (1225-1400). By the 18th century, the Nguyen Lords who effectively ruled the region have expanded Phu Xuan into a metropolis.

Based on geomancy principals, the ancient citadel of Hue was located on the northern banks of the Huong or ‘Perfume’ River’. In the backdrop, Mount Ngu Binh - ‘Royal Screen Mount’ shields it from negative elements.

On the southern banks of the Perfume River, the Nguyen emperors built their opulent mausoleums on hillsides commanding unimpeded views of the surrounding scenery. The location and orientation of the tombs were also according to geomancy rules. It was customary that emperors made their own burial arrangements while they were alive.

Phuoc Duyen Tower of Thien Mu or ‘Celestial Lady’ Pagoda overlooks the Perfume River. It was built by Emperor Thieu Tri in 1846. The original buildings were started in 1601 by Lord Nguyen Hoang. Hue was an important centre for Buddhism. There were more than a hundred pagodas and temples built before and during the Nguyen period.

The main temple for worship in Thien Mu Pagoda. It includes living quarters for monks and novices. Over centuries the pagoda remained a religious icon of Hue being the temple patronized by the Nguyen lords and emperors. It was also the centre for religious studies and sacrificial protests for religious freedom in the 20th century.

Ngo Mon or Noon Gate is the south and main gate into the imperial city. It was completed in 1840 during the reign of Emperor Minh Mang. The upper level takes the form of 5 phoenixes swooping down with their wings spread out, hence the name Five-Phoenix Pavilion. The emperors made their appearances here on important occasions, to receive homage or deliver major announcements.

There are 9 imperial cannons ordered to be made by the 1st Nguyen emperor Gia Long from bronze items collected from the preceding Tay Son Dynasty. They were not meant for military purposes but as symbols of guardian spirits of the citadel. They were referred to as the ‘Holy Invincible Generals’.

In the Imperial City, this sculptured bronze gateway demarcates the courtyard outside the Palace of Supreme Harmony where the throne room was located. There were 13 emperors in the Nguyen Dynasty reigning from 1802-1945 but de facto power were in the hands of the French beginning from 1883 to 1940 and Japanese during World War II.

Bronze vessel at the courtyard of the Hall of Mandarins. It represents longevity for the dynasty. Hue has been known for its excellent craftsmanship in metal works. As early as the Sa Huynh culture – cast iron objects have been discovered by archaeologists in the region.

The emperor’s garb displayed at the Museum of Royal Fine Arts. Yellow is the imperial colour won only by the emperor and the dragon symbolise imperial power and authority granted by heaven.

The empress’s gown. The phoenix is the female counterpart of the dragon in royal symbolism which was similar to those of the Chinese. The Nguyen imperial family also lived within the enclosures of the ‘Forbidden Purple City’ within the Imperial City in similar fashion to the royalties in Beijing.

Mausoleum complex of Emperor Khai Dinh. It was much criticized for deviations from traditional Vietnamese architecture. There were significant features of western influence. Politically, Khai Dinh was seen to have compromised much of the country’s integrity with French imperialists. He was the 12th emperor and father of the last, Bao Dai.

‘Remains’ of the Forbidden Purple City - the former residence of the imperial family. What was not damaged during a fire in 1947 was destroyed in the Battle of Hue during the Tet Offensive of 1968. The citadel was temporary seized by communist forces from the North and later driven out by American and South Vietnamese forces. Thousands of innocent citizens died in what was later known as the Massacre of Hue.