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Private tailor-made journeys of a life time
Sep 14, 2023
By Ms. Anh Thu
Khai Dinh Tomb Hue, located in Chau Chu Mountain, Vietnam, is the smallest but most costly Nguyen royal tomb. Established by Emperor Khai Dinh from 1920 to 1931, it features a combination of Eastern and Western architecture. Among other Royal tombs in Hue, Khai Dinh Tomb is a must because of its different features compared to the other ones. Let’s learn more about the last tomb of the Nguyen Dynasty kings in Hue with the best Vietnam tour operator.
Khai Dinh, the 12th emperor of the Nguyen Dynasty, was born in 1885 in Hue, Vietnam. He took over in 1916 and built numerous palaces and constructions in Hue Imperial Citadel. He was the last king to build a mausoleum for himself. In 1920, he began building Ung Lang as his resting place. After his death, Emperor Bao Dai completed the tomb in 1931, taking 11 years. Khai Dinh, the eldest son of Emperor Dong Khanh, advocated for cooperation with France and believed Vietnam was too technologically backward to assert itself among modern nations. He became the first reigning Vietnamese monarch to visit Europe in 1922 and advocated for an autonomous Vietnam associated with France.
Khai Dinh Tomb, located in Chau Chau Hamlet, Thua Thien Hue Province, is a remarkable architectural masterpiece of the Nguyen Dynasty. Its location was determined by feng shui experts, with natural surroundings like hills and streams near the tomb, creating an awe-inspiring landscape that remains today. The tomb's location is a testament to its innovative use of Western materials and designs, making it a significant architectural landmark in Vietnam.
From 1916 to 1925, Khai Dinh was Vietnam's last imperial king, but his strong ties to the French made him one of the most hated kings. The construction of the Khai Dinh Tomb Hue began in 1920 and was completed a decade later. Despite its smallest total area, it was the most labor-intensive and costly tomb of the Nguyen Dynasty. Khai Dinh took great care in building the tomb after his passing, raising the country-wide tax rate to 30% to fund the construction. His heir, Bao Dai, completed the monument after 11 years of construction in 1931.
Khai Dinh's tomb, located on Chau Chu Mountain in Hue City, showcases a unique blend of Eastern and Western cultural elements. The tomb is a rectangular structure constructed using Western materials like slates, cement, and wrought iron. The facade is made of worn black concrete, bringing a Gothic feel, and features the largest dragon carvings in Vietnam's history. Inside, the tomb features intricate carvings of guards, workers, and animals. The Honour Courtyard features Mandarin honor guards with a mix of European and Vietnamese features.
The main building, Thien Dinh Palace, is a stupendous building with murals of the Four Seasons, Eight Precious Objects, and the Eight Immortals. Below the gold-speckled concrete canopy, there is a gilt bronze statue of King Khai Dinh, who was thought to be homosexual despite producing an heir. The remains of the King were interred about 18 meters below the statue.
The hard, isolated materials inside Thien Dinh's tomb have become vivid, soft, and brilliant works of art, reflecting cultural and art values. The decoration not only reflects the establishment and the King's idea but also Taoist decorations, such as hundreds of swastikas, a symbol of the Buddha produced by Green glass.
1. Tam Quan Gate
Khai Dinh Tomb Hue has a total of 127 steps, of which 37 steps lead to Tam Quan Gate. Tam Quan Gate, located on the first floor of the mausoleum, features Ta Tong Tu and Huu Tong Tu, dedicated to worshiping the gods who contributed to the country. The unique architecture blends European modernity and Vietnamese classicism, requiring 37 steps to reach. This gate is typical of the traditional entrance in ancient Vietnamese architecture. In particular, the Hindu-style pillars of the gate are a clear demonstration of the great combination of Vietnamese and Indian cultures in terms of architecture. They are carved with embossed patterns, in which the highlight is the dragon motif, imbued with Vietnamese and Indian culture. Admire the Tam Quan Gate, visitors will be impressed by the unique architecture as if admiring an architectural work of India.
2. Thien Dinh Palace
Thien Dinh Palace, the final resting place for King Khai Dinh, is the centerpiece of Khai Dinh Tomb Hue. Thien Dinh Palace, located at the highest position and burial site of King Khai Dinh's body, boasts a unique design and high artistic value. Its innovative architecture and artistic quality make it a prominent feature. On the 5th floor, a giant golden statue of King Khai Dinh stands beneath a gold-flecked cement dome. The royal crypt, located 18 meters below the statue, is the most exquisite feature of Thien Dinh Palace, with a life-size bronze sculpture of the king resting atop a coffin. To admire, visitors must enter the palace, and step through the yellow door to enter deep inside. The interior features a rectangular bow with a marble base and sophisticated porcelain and glass reliefs. The palace consists of five parts: Ta and Huu Truc, a room for soldiers to protect the mausoleum, the front, Buu Tan, the king's statue, and the grave at the bottom.
3. Khai Thanh Hall
Khai Thanh Hall, a highlight of Khai Dinh Tomb Hue, is part of Thien Dinh Palace and boasts stunning splendor and elaborate interiors. Khai Thanh Palace, located beneath King Khai Dinh's altar, is a concrete structure with decorative motifs in a golden color. The palace features an inscription with the name Khai Thanh Dien and the king's body below. Stepping inside the hall, you will surely be impressed by the sophistication and luxury of the interior and the textures inside. There are four-sided murals depicting the four seasons and a unique ceiling painting of a flying dragon and dancing phoenix in dark purple and black, very soft and flexible, this is the only ceiling painting left in Vietnam. In the middle of the hall is an altar about 1m high, 4 sides decorated with exquisite paintings and embossed motifs. On the table put the image of King Khai Dinh. The appearance of Western architecture is the Chandelier, which is the product of Khai Dinh’s cooperation with France.
4. Nghi Mon and Bai Dinh Yard
Visit Nghi Mon Area and Bai Dinh Yard after Tam Quan Gate, where you'll find life-size statues of royals, warriors, horses, and elephants. These statues were crafted with great care and detail, with facial expressions indicating their intended service in the afterworld. An octagonal gazebo in Nghi Mon Area houses a 10-ton stele honoring Khai Dinh's life and achievements. In the Nghi Mon and Bai Dinh courtyard, visitors can admire two rows of 1:1 scale statues of soldiers and courtiers reenacting an adoration ceremony for the Nguyen Dynasty.
5. The bronze statue of King Khai Dinh
Khai Dinh Tomb Hue Vietnam houses two life-size statues of King Khai Dinh, one seated on the throne in Thien Dinh Palace and the other standing nearby. The seated statue was sculpted in Paris in 1920, with gold inlay added by Hue craftsmen. The standing statue, made by a Quang Nam artisan, was relocated to Thien Dinh Palace in 1975. This precious artifact provides a vivid picture of King Khai Dinh's appearance during his lifetime.
The up-to-date entrance fee of Khai Dinh Tomb Hue Hue
Khai Dinh Tomb Hue entrance fee is 100,000 VND for adults and 20,000 VND for children. Visitors can visit between 7 AM and 5 PM, taking around one or two hours to explore. This allows time to visit other Hue attractions, such as Minh Mang Tomb, Hue Imperial City, and Thien Mu Pagoda.
Khai Dinh Tomb Hue is 10km from Hue city center and is better accessed by road. Boats take 45 minutes, but it's a 45-minute journey. Taxis and motorbikes are also available for those short on time.
Khai Dinh Tomb Hue is open year-round, especially with free tickets available during holidays like National Day and Lunar New Year.
