Located on the Central strip of land full of sunshine and wind, Hue Ancient Capital is a city rich in long history and traditions. It is famous for its relics, palatial palaces and tombs, along with its unique value and identity.

 

Mausoleums of Nguyen Emperors are places that attract hundred thousand visitors to visit, learn and admire the architecture, read about the life, reign and contributions of a supreme person. The inquisitiveness about royal’s life, emperors’ after lives increases. 

The Hue tombs evoke the feeling of a forgotten, almost mythological world. The kings of the Nguyen Dynasty designed their own tombs, reflecting their varying temperaments, philosophies, and priorities. Dig deeper and you’ll discover the tombs don’t just embody the lives and souls of the Nguyen Kings. They also recount the story of one of Vietnam’s most engrossing historical periods, including national unification, military conquest, and the cultural impact of French colonialism.

Best for history and culture buffs: Minh Mang Tomb

Photo: TITC

Located 12 km away from Hue City, on Mount Cam Ke and the west shore of the Perfume River, the imposing imperial tomb of Minh Mang is considered one of the greatest Emperors of the Nguyen Dynasty.

Covered an area of 18 hectares, surrounded by a wall enclosing within 40 historical structures, including palaces, temples, and pavilions, doubtlessly, Minh Mang Tomb is considered to be the best combined natural landscapes and architectural complexes. The tomb is a reflection of military vigor and successful conquest, but also cultural conservatism. Minh Mang’s empire stretched across present-day Vietnam and into Cambodia and Laos. His isolationist policies banned foreign missionaries and bolstered Confucian ideology.

This is the most stately of all the Hue tombs, decorated with ponds that bloom with colourful lotus flowers in the spring months and pretty pine-covered hills. Minh Mang’s final resting place lies behind a locked gate that is opened just once a year, but you can get close enough to the towering trees that envelope him.

Best for dreamers and romantics: Tu Duc Tomb

Photo: TITC

Emperor Tự Đức had a strong affinity for art and poetry, a passion he channelled to craft his romantic, illustrious tomb. Tu Duc wanted his final resting place to blend harmoniously with nature. It is the greenest and most organic of all the tombs.

The Tomb of Tu Duc reveals much about the emperor, a great intellectual and a romantic soul. During his time, the tomb was originally named "Van Nien Co" (Palace of Eternity), served as his hideaway, where he poured his heart and soul into poetry and took a break from national affairs. To access the tomb of Tu Duc, visitors will follow a brick-tiled walkway, which begins at Vu Khiem Gate and leads all the way to Khiem Cung Gate. In front of Khiem Cung Gate is a placid lake called Luu Khiem. 

Originally a small stream, this man-made lake was believed by the late emperor to be a source of merit. During summer, the water is covered with pink shades of lotus. Luu Khiem Lake is also home to Du Khiem and Xung Khiem pavilions, where the emperor indulged in refined pastimes like playing chess, enjoying tea, and reading books.

Best for something completely different: Khai Dinh Tomb

Photo: TITC

The tomb of Emperor Khải Định splits general opinion with its heady blend of Eastern and Western styles. Khai Dinh was the Nguyen Dynasty’s most eccentric and unusual king, who reportedly embraced French colonialism. Much like his father, Khai Dinh favoured imported luxuries, spent huge sums of money on his tomb, and was the subject of ridicule by nationalist leaders.

This tomb is like no other in the area: a series of climbing platforms ascend a pine-covered hill rather than a landscaped, flat esplanade. You’ll notice Chinese, Vietnamese, French, and even Cambodian architectural influences. What’s perhaps most striking is the contrast between the outside and the inside: Khai Dinh selected white concrete for the façade (now blackened by the elements), and intricate, opulent mosaics and murals for the interiors.