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Private tailor-made journeys of a life time
Aug 26, 2023
By Ms. Anh Thu
The Nguyen Dynasty’s Royal Tombs in Hue, designed by the Nguyen Dynasty kings, evoke a forgotten, mythological world. These tombs not only embody the lives and souls of the Nguyen Kings but also recount Vietnam's engrossing historical periods, including national unification, military conquest, and French colonialism. For your trip to Hue City, it is worth paying a visit to these emperor tombs, let’s find out!
The Nguyen Dynasty, established in 1802 by Emperor Gia Long, was the last monarchy in Vietnamese history. It lasted 143 years, marked by ups and downs, including the French invasion in the mid-19th century. Emperor Bao Dai abdicated in 1945, marking the end of the dynasty.
The Nguyen Dynasty's first period (1802-1858) was an independent period with four emperors, including Gia Long, Minh Mang, Thieu Tri, and Tu Duc. Despite a desire for Western learning, the Nguyen dynasty failed to implement these reforms, leading to stagnation and a potential European colonial invasion. The second period (1858-1945) saw French invasion and domination, with the French occupying eastern provinces and occupying western territories. The Nguyen Dynasty officially recognized French rule in 1884, with the French retaining the throne but acting as puppets. This period ended with Bao Dai's abdication in 1945.
The Nguyen Dynasty left a significant cultural heritage for the Vietnamese people, including Hue Imperial Court Music, Hue Monuments Complex, and the Nguyen Dynasty's Woodblocks. These cultural heritages have been recognized by UNESCO as world heritage. The Nguyen Dynasty also left a vast system of bibliographies, an educational system, and thousands of communal houses, temples, and churches throughout Vietnam. Hue royal court music was recognized as an intangible cultural heritage in 2003. The Hue Citadel, built from 1803 to 1832, is considered the largest and most fortified fortress in Vietnam.
These are very special graves. This is the final resting place of the Nguyen emperors - the last royal family of Vietnam. So all the tombs are built with great effort to make them as impressive and monumental as possible. The Nguyen Dynasty’s Royal Tombs in Hue also keep some valuable artifacts that will teach you a lot about Vietnamese history.
The Nguyen Dynasty lasted 143 years with 13 kings: Gia Long, Minh Mang, Thieu Tri, Tu Duc, Duc Duc, Hiep Hoa, Kien Phuc, Ham Nghi, Dong Khanh, Thanh Thai, Duy Tan, Khai Dinh, Bao Dai. Despite having 13 kings, the Nguyen Dynasty only had 7 mausoleums constructed for various reasons. The system of tombs of the Nguyen dynasty includes tombs of Gia Long, Minh Mang, Thieu Tri, Tu Duc, Dong Khanh, Duc Duc, and Khai Dinh.
Gia Long Tomb
Nguyen Anh, a descendant of Nguyen's Lord, established the Nguyen Dynasty in Hue after defeating the Tay Son Dynasty in 1802, contributing to Vietnam's reunification.
The Tomb of Gia Long, located in a large royal tomb complex, was built for King Gia Long's first wife, Thien Tho Son, after her death in 1814. The tomb was built in a mountain area called Thien Tho Son, which had a long-lasting effect on the king. During construction, an accident injured King Gia Long, and he provided medicine, rice, and money to the workers and local residents.
Gia Long Tomb - the first Nguyen Dynasty’s Royal Tombs in Hue is divided into three parts: the worshiping area, the tomb area, and Bi Dinh. The front part features a large lake, a familiar Vietnamese architecture image, and a stele with the epitaph of King Minh Mang, the successor of King Gia Long. The tomb is the only royal tomb where the queen's grave is right next to the king. Tourists can see the Minh Thanh Temple, which symbolizes King Gia Long's successful founding of the Nguyen Dynasty, and the Buu Thanh Wall, which protects King Gia Long's grave. The tomb also houses two stone graves of King Gia Long and his first wife, Thua Thien Queen. Bi Dinh, a restored house, is a newer addition to the tomb, with a yellow wall and red tiles.
Minh Mang Tomb
Emperor Minh Menh, born in 1791, was the second Emperor of the Nguyen Dynasty and a master of Confucianism. He was a talented politician and military man, implementing reforms in internal politics and diplomacy, leading to a prosperous period in the Nguyen monarchy's history and Vietnamese feudalism.
Minh Mang Tomb, located in Huong Tho Commune, Huong Tra District, is a magnificent Nguyen Dynasty royal tomb built in 1840. It is a complex of 40 constructions, including palaces, temples, and pavilions, showcasing the harmonious blend of manmade and natural beauty of Hue. The tomb is a symmetrical axis, with the Great Red Gate, Left Rad Gate, and Right Red Gate leading to the Honour Courtyard. The Stele Pavilion, Sung An Temple, and Minh Lau Pavilion are also located on the site. The complex resembles a human being with the hill as its pillow and its hands and feet reaching the river. The complex is 700m from the front gate to the back door, with a high fence that overlooks mountains and Cam Ke Hill.
Thieu Tri Tomb
Nguyen Phuc Mien Tong, the first son of King Minh Mang, succeeded his father in 1841. King Thieu Tri was intelligent, diligent, and deeply knowledgeable about Confucianism. His corpse was buried in Long An Temple for 8 months during tomb construction.
The Tomb of Thieu Tri is similar to the Tomb of Gia Long in terms of feng shui aspects. It is built on Thuan Dao Mountain and faces northwest, with Vong Canh Hill and Ngoc Tran Mountain guarding the tomb. The tomb has a structure similar to the Tomb of Minh Mang, with two parallel axes containing temples, palaces, and courtyards. The tomb includes two parts: the worshiping area on the left and the tomb area on the right. The worshiping area features a crescent moon-shaped Dien Lake, a three-door gate, and a three-door gate leading to the highest gate called Hong Trach Mon. The tomb area is divided into two parts: the worshiping area, a lake named Nhuan Trach, a three-door gate, and a flower garden. The tomb area is surrounded by a solemn atmosphere, with a stone stele called "Thanh Duc Than Cong" and an epitaph written by King Tu Duc. The tomb is surrounded by a flower garden and a gate with the same structure as the entrance.
Tu Duc Tomb
Emperor Tự Đức, born in 1829, was the fourth emperor of the Nguyễn Dynasty and held power from 1847 to 1883. Despite being sterile at eight, he had a large harem of wives. Although his life details remain hidden, King Tu Duc has been known as a good king.
Tu Duc Tomb, built in 1864, is a beautiful construction in Hue City that features nearly 50 large and small buildings. The tomb was built to compensate for the hardships faced by the workers during the construction, which took two years. After a rebellion against the builders, the Tu Duc Emperor renamed the tomb to Khiem Cung and lived there for over 10 years before passing away in 1873. The tomb's architecture includes a worshipping area, a tomb area, and a special resting place for King Kien Phuc, the 7th king of the Nguyen Dynasty. The tomb is considered one of the most beautiful constructions of the Nguyen Dynasty in Hue City and is a must-visit for those interested in the architecture of Oriental places and the history of the last dynasty in Vietnam.
Dong Khanh Tomb
King Dong Khanh, also known as Nguyen Phuc Ung Thi, was adopted by King Tu Duc in 1865. After the mutiny in 1885, King Ham Nghi abandoned the throne to Tan So. The Hue court negotiated with the French to bring Ung Duong to the throne, naming it Dong Khanh. He fell ill and died in 1889 at 25.
The Dong Khanh Tomb, located near Cu Si Hamlet in Thuong Hai Village, Hue City, was constructed over 35 years ago and faced numerous obstacles. King Dong Khanh was worshipped at Truy Tu Temple, later renamed Ngung Hy Temple. His corpse was buried on a hill called Ho Thuan Son, 30m to the west of the temple. The construction process was halted multiple times, and most was completed under Khai Dinh's reign in 1917. The complex features Ngung Hy Temple, a twin mansion typical of Hue Citadel, backed by a third house. The temple is well-equipped with royal furniture and calligraphy, and features 24 drawings illustrating the Chinese story "Nhi thap tu hieu." The tomb area's design was influenced by the Western style, with the Stele Pavilion constructed using cement, tile bricks, and bricks instead of stone.
Khai Dinh Tomb
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, including the last king to build a mausoleum. He became the first reigning Vietnamese monarch to visit Europe in 1922 and advocated for an autonomous Vietnam associated with France. After his death, Emperor Bao Dai completed the tomb in 1931.
Khai Dinh Tomb, also known as the Ứng Mausoleum, is the last Nguyen Dynasty’s Royal Tombs in Hue located in Chau Chu Mountain, about 10km from Hue City, Vietnam. It was constructed in 1931 by Bao Dai, the successor of Khai Dinh, and is a rectangular monument with a gray and imposing appearance. The tomb features large sculptures of dragons and a Gothic-inspired exterior with a colorful ceramic mosaic interior. 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 Eight Immortals. The tomb's decoration reflects cultural and art values, as well as the establishment and King's ideas. The tomb also features Taoist decorations, including hundreds of swastikas, a symbol of the Buddha. The tomb's architecture is influenced by the French architecture style and was completed in 1931 by Bao Dai.
Coming to Hue, it will be a mistake if you do not set foot in the royal tombs of the Nguyen kings. As a Vietnamese, I am also very excited to have the opportunity to learn about the history and culture of the nation. The ancient capital of Vietnam boasts evidence of many historical ups and downs as well as the resting place of Vietnamese kings who have contributed to the country. For international visitors, these are indeed the ideal destinations to discover the history of Vietnam. Surely you will love such places that are both sacred and imbued with features of Eastern culture. The more you deepen your knowledge of Vietnamese history, the more you will find this country lovely, respected, and worth visiting.
1. How many tombs are there in Hue?
Despite there being 13 monarchs during the Nguyen Dynasty, only 7 mausoleums were constructed.
2. What is the oldest Nguyen Dynasty’s Royal Tombs in Hue?
The Nguyen Dynasty's first emperor was named Gia Long. The most ancient and ominous tomb in Hue is the mausoleum of Emperor Gia Long, which was finished in 1820.
3. Is there a dress code for the Nguyen Dynasty’s Royal Tombs in Hue?
Imperial Hue sites follow a dress code, requiring coveralls, shoulders, thighs, and upper arms. Comfortable shoes are essential for numerous steps and steps.
4. Which is the best emperor tomb in Hue?
Khai Dinh Tomb, the smallest Hue Royal Tomb in the Nguyen dynasty tomb system, is the most beautiful and expensive in the world. Completion took 11 years from 1920 to 1931, showcasing the unique Mandarins on Courtyard concept.
