Hue Introduction Walking Tour (Self Guided), Hue

Nghinh Lương Đình (Luong Dinh Welcome Pavilion) was built in 1852 as a rest place for the Emperor while fishing. It situated on the Perfume River shore just opposite the Phu Van Lau. The pavilion is brick with a tiled roof, and from the pavilion to the water are 13 steps. Recently Luong Dinh Welcome Pavilion was restored and today can be admired by anyone. From here opens a great view on the Perfume River.

Phu Văn Lâu (Phu Van Lau) was built in 1819 under the reign of Emperor Gia Long and was used as a place for announcing the Emperor’s important edicts or the results of examinations held by the court. In 1829 the square in front of it was the site for battles held between elephants and tigers, and Phu Van Lau was where the Emperor watched the fights. Phu Van Lau is a two story construction, and in front of it are situated two small brass cannons facing each other.

Cửa Quảng Đức (Quang Duc Gate) is the west gate that leads to the Imperial building and it was built in 1804. In order to enter the gate you have to walk on the Ho Thanh Bridge over the moat that surrounds the Imperial City. There is only a one way road for the vehicles that leads outside the Citadel, and in order to get in you have to use the Ngan Gate. The Quang Duc Gate was slightly damaged during the war but it is in use.

Cửu Vị Thần Công (Nine Holy Cannons) are a famous landmark of Hue and a symbol of the Nguyen’s Dynasty grandeur. The cannons are also named “Nine Gods” and they were manufactured in 1803 and 1804 at the request of Emperor Gia Long. Today they are considered masterpieces of bronze art. Originally the cannons were placed at the main entrance to the Imperial City, at the Moon Gate, but during the reign of Emperor Khai Dinh they were moved to their current location, on both sides of the Flag Tower. Each cannon is 5.1 m in length and weighs about 17,000 pounds. On each cannon its weight is engraved. Four cannons are named after the seasons and the others are named after the five main elements (metal, wood, water, fire, and earth). The cannons were never in use; they are only symbolically protecting the Imperial City.

Kỳ đài (Flag Tower) is an architectural monument located in the south part of the Imperial City, in front of the Moon Gate. It was built in 1807 and then enlarged in 1831. During the war, it was completely destroyed several times, and in 1949 it was rebuilt for the last time. Its flagpole is 37 meters high and is the highest in all of Vietnam. This 3-story construction is also the largest flag tower monument.

Forbidden Purple City is said to be built after the project of the Forbidden City in Beijing. Nowadays haplessly most of the Forbidden Purple City stands completely damaged, due to the Tet Offensive; the spared remains are a wistful recall of the huge buildings that once stood there. Today the city is one of the UNESCO sites and the remaining buildings and those that escaped complete destruction have been lovingly restored.

Cửa Ngọ Môn (Noon Gate) is the most important of the five gates that lead to the Imperial City which was used only by Emperors, while the servants entered through other two gates, situated on the left and right sides of the Noon Gate. The U-shape gate is 5.2 meters tall at its highest point and is a two-story construction, where the pavilion on the second floor was only for the Emperor’s seat. Unfortunately the Noon Gate was almost destroyed during the war, but due to great work done by the restoration team you can admire this architectural masterpiece today.

Điện Thái Hoà (The Palace of Supreme Harmony) is situated just after the Cửa Ngọ Môn (Noon Gate) on the most important court of the Citadel- Sân Đại Triều Nghi (Esplanade of Great Salutation). It was built in 1806 by Emperor Gia Long for his coronation. The Noon Gate was connected to the Palace of Supreme Harmony by Trung Dào (Central Path) bridge for the highest security. The The Palace of Supreme Harmony is located before the main entrance to the Forbidden Purple City which was only for the Emperor and his family.

Thái Bình Lâu (Royal Reading Pavilion) is a two-story wooden building located in the northeast area of the Forbidden Purple City. The Royal Reading Pavilion was constructed between 1919 and 1921 during the reign of Emperor Khải Định. This house, which is 9.55m high, has a thatched roof that represents yin and yang. Also of great interest are the gorgeous gold enamel decorations on the roof. The Royal Reading Pavilion remained almost intact during the war and today its doors are open for tourists.

Cửa Hòa Bình (Peace Gate) is located in the north part of the Imperial City. It is the only gate that leads directly from Hue Citadel to the Forbidden Purple City. The gate was built in 1804 under the reign of Gia Long together with the biggest part of the Imperial City’s constructions. It was called the “praying gate” but in 1833 it was changed to the “peace gate.” The gate was seriously damaged during the war and was completely restored in 2004.

Bảo tàng Mỹ thuật Cung đình Huế (Royal Fine Arts Museum of Hue) was founded in 1885 and was situated in the Emperor’s residence. However, in 1909 it moved to its present spot. The museum exhibits pottery and chinaware collections, as well as the Emperor’s personal objects, and is entirely dedicated to the Nguyen Dynasty. The museum’s building is also of great interest as it is a one story wooden building that was erected in 1845.

There several bridges situated on the Huong Stream, but just Truong Tien Brigde was chosen as a symbol of Hue town. The metalwork bridge Trang Tien in the east of the Capital started to be erected in 1897 and was finished in 1899. The arch is about 400m long of 6 spans". It was affected by a horrible typhoon in 1904, which left 6 spans of the bridge broken. The bridge was rebuilt in 1906. Since then the Truong Tien Bridge has been repaired many times again.

Le Loi Street lies along the Perfume River’s shore and it starts from a bridge and ends at the other. A walk on this street will allow you to admire the river while you are shopping. Here are situated many souvenir shops, bookstores and art galleries, and you’ll also find a great number of restaurants and bars. You’ll be fascinated by the wooden miniatures, painted silk, fantastic reproductions made by talented local artists as you get closer to the culture of this enigmatic country.