Imperial City of Hue, Imperial palace in Huế, Vietnam
The Imperial City spans 10 kilometers of defensive walls surrounding temples, administrative buildings, royal residences, and formal gardens within the ancient citadel.
Emperor Gia Long established this capital in 1802 after unifying Vietnam, constructing the complex according to Chinese architectural principles and feng shui practices.
The Imperial City contains ceremonial halls, ancestral temples, and performance spaces where traditional Vietnamese court music and dance presentations continue today.
The complex operates from 7:30 AM to 5:30 PM Monday through Saturday, with extended morning hours on Sunday, requiring approximately four hours for thorough exploration.
The Purple Forbidden City section contained hundreds of rooms exclusively for the emperor, with only ten primary structures remaining after conflicts and weather damage.
Location: Huế
Part of: Huế citadel
Address: 23 Tháng 8
Opening Hours: Monday-Saturday 07:30-17:30; Sunday 06:30-17:30
Phone: +842343523237
Website: https://ticketcheap.shop/hue-village-tour
GPS coordinates: 16.46897,107.57813
Latest update: August 10, 2025 11:30
Vietnam retains an architectural heritage that spans several centuries. From the Confucian temples in Hanoi to the Cham towers in the country's interior, including the imperial citadels of Hué, these structures reflect influences from Hindu, Chinese, and European traditions that have shaped the land. Each building illustrates a specific period, from the 7th century with Po Nagar's towers to modern constructions of the 20th century. The Temple of Literature in Hanoi, founded in 1070, embodies the Vietnamese educational tradition with its five successive courtyards. In Hué, the Thien Mu Pagoda has stood since 1601 with its seven-story tower rising 70 feet (21 meters) over the Parfum River. The Cham towers of Binh Dinh and Nha Trang showcase the craft of this civilization through their brick ornaments and stone sculptures. The port city of Hoi An features an architectural ensemble from the 15th century, combining Chinese, Japanese, and European styles. These sites offer a tangible journey through the country's architectural and cultural evolution.
Vietnam preserves numerous military and prison sites that bear witness to the conflicts between 1955 and 1975. These facilities include defensive tunnel networks, converted colonial prisons, combat bases, and memorials. Visitors can trace the progression of the conflict across different regions of the country, from the Mekong Delta to northern provinces and the central highlands. Notable locations include the Vinh Moc tunnels, where 60 families lived underground during bombings; Hoa Lo Prison in Hanoi, which recounts the country's prison history; and the War Remnants Museum in Ho Chi Minh City with its collections of equipment and documents from the era. The Khe Sanh base offers insight into military operations conducted near border areas, while the Son My memorial commemorates civilian casualties. These sites provide a direct perspective on a period that has significantly shaped Vietnam’s history and help visitors understand the ground realities beyond broad narratives.
Huế citadel
91 m
Thiên Mụ Temple
3.9 km
Trang Tien Bridge
1.1 km
Tomb of Khai Dinh
7.9 km
Tomb of Tự Đức
4.3 km
Tomb of Emperor Minh Mang
9.1 km
Từ hiếu pogoda
3.4 km
Mausoleum of Emperor Khai Dinh
7.9 km
Tomb of Gia Long
12.1 km
Hall of Supreme Harmony
39 m
Esplanade of Sacrifice to the Heaven and Earth
3.5 km
Nine tripod cauldrons of the Nguyễn dynasty
316 m
Thanh Toan covered bridge
6.9 km
Thế Miếu
252 m
Firebase Bastogne
18.7 km
Hue Museum of Royal Fine Arts
479 m
Tomb of Emperor Thiệu Trị
5.7 km
Tomb of Đồng Khánh
4.5 km
Nghênh Lương đình
580 m
Temple of Literature, Huế
4.5 km
Long An palace
485 m
Pavilion of Splendour
270 m
Independence Stadium
2.1 km
Huong River Opera House
1.1 km
Triệu Tổ miếu
230 m
Thác Nhị Hồ
42.7 km
Khe Su 4 Quán Dì Hường
42.3 km
Nhà Nâu Trại Suối Khe Su 3
41.8 kmReviews
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