Hue, set on the banks of the Huong River a few kilometres inland from the South China Sea, has the hundreds of beautiful ruined monuments and buildings you would expect of a city which was, until 1945, the grand imperial capital. The most majestic monuments are those surrounding the royal buildings built early in the 19th Century and based on Beijing’s Forbidden City, on the northern bank of the river.

The main entry into the city is via the impressively ornate Ngo Mon Gate. Only the Emperor, his family and his eunuch servants were allowed to enter the imperial city.

Other highlights are a grand citadel, the tombs of the emperors and a library and museum. The grandest building on the site is the Tomb of Emperor Minh Mang which has also been attractively landscaped. The tomb of Emperor Tu Duc was finished while he was still alive so it was used as a theatre and for meditation and quiet reflection.

Written by  World Reviewer Staff.

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Complex of Hué Monuments

Established as the capital of unified Viet Nam in 1802, Hué was not only the political but also the cultural and religious centre under the Nguyen dynasty until 1945. The Perfume River winds its way through the Capital City, the Imperial City, the Forbidden Purple City and the Inner City, giving this unique feudal capital a setting of great natural beauty.

Copyright © UNESCO/World Heritage Centre. All rights reserved.

 

Review posted 7th December 2007 by World Reviewer Staff.

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