Overview:

is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that comprises the Imperial Citadel and the Forbidden Purple City, built by the Nguyen Dynasty, which ruled Vietnam from 1802 to 1945. The Imperial Citadel is surrounded by a moat and is composed of many interconnected palaces, courtyards and temples, and was once the residence of the imperial family. The Forbidden Purple City was reserved only for the emperor and his family and was off limits to anyone else, even the staff who serviced the palace. This complex is a testament to the importance of the imperial court and the power of the Nguyen Dynasty. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in Vietnam
Prominent Features:

1. Imperial Citadel: The Imperial Citadel is the inner walled city of the ancient capital in Hue that served as the seat of the Nguyen Emperors throughout Vietnam's feudal period. Built in 1803, it was designed as a fortress to protect the city from invaders and includes an enormous moat and various gates. 2. Royal Tombs: The Imperial City is home to 7 magnificent tombs of the Emperors of Vietnam's Nguyen dynasty. The tombs form a memorial complex that overlooks the Perfume River and includes opulent gates, pavilions, and walled gardens. Most of the tombs are reached by boat, offering a unique and memorable experience. 3. The Imperial Edict of 1832: Another important feature of the Imperial City is the Imperial Edict of 1832, a calligraphy work written by nine generations of Emperor Nguyen's family that marks an important historical turning point in Vietnam's history. This edict declared a new compact between the government and its people that has been a cornerstone of Vietnamese democracy ever since. 4. Hue Museum of Royal Antiquities: The Hue Museum of Royal Antiquities houses a wealth of artifacts and information from China, France, and the French-Vietnamese empires of the Nguyen dynasty. It is a great place to learn about the history and culture of the Imperial City and gain an insight into Vietnam's imperial past. 5. Traditional Arts: Hue is renowned for its traditional art forms, such as Hue singing, Cham dancing, and the many traditional Vietnamese crafts. During special festivals, such as the Biennial Hue Festival, the traditional arts of the city really come alive, with hundreds of performances taking place in the Imperial City. This national monument of Vietnam portrays the history and culture of the country.

History:

The Imperial City of Hue is the former capital city of the Nguyen Dynasty, which was the ruling family of Vietnam from 1802 to 1945. It is located in Thua Thien-Hue Province, about 700 km south of Hanoi. The city was founded by Emperor Gia Long in 1802, and was originally known as Gia Long City. Emperor Minh Mang made the city his capital in 1820 and renamed it Hue. The Imperial City was modeled after Beijing's Forbidden City, and was designed to be a self-contained complex of buildings and palaces to serve as the residence of the Imperial court. The city was surrounded by 10-meter-thick brick walls, with 11 large gates and numerous small gates. Inside the walls, the complex of palaces, temples, and other buildings formed the Imperial Citadel. In 1874, the capital of Vietnam was moved to Hanoi. However, Hue remained an important political and cultural center in the country. The Imperial Citadel was used as a royal palace and administrative center until 1945, when it was captured and destroyed by the Viet Minh forces. Despite being almost completely destroyed, some of the original buildings from the Imperial City have been renovated, and many of the ruins are being preserved as a historical site. Today, visitors can explore the citadel and its surrounding walls, and visit the restored Thai Hoa Palace, the Lotus Temple, and the Imperial Tombs. The site was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993. You must visit one of these historical places in Vietnam on your Vietnam tour

Interesting facts:

1. The Imperial City was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993. 2. It was the site of the Nguyen emperors’ capital during Vietnam’s last royal dynasty (1802-1945). 3. Originally constructed in the 17th century and rebuilt in the 19th century, the Imperial City’s three walled enclosures are surrounded by a moat and divided by a series of gates. 4. It is protected by 4 kilometres of brick walls, 5 kilometres of moats and 8 citadel gates. 5. The Imperial City was also the site of the famous Battle of Hue during the Vietnam War in 1968. 6. The Imperial City is considered one of the best-preserved historic sites in Vietnam, with original elements such as pavilions, shrines, wells, and gardens. 7. The Imperial City is composed of two main buildings: the Purple Forbidden City, which is the residence of the Emperor, and the Imperial Citadel of Hue where the court of the mandarinsin and concubines were located. 8. Today, the Forbidden City and Royal Palace serve both as a cultural hub and a major tourist attraction. 9. The Imperial City is home to numerous temples, shrines, and other religious structures, including the Imperial City’s central temple, the Thai Vien Temple, and the seven-tiered Thien Mu Pagoda. 10. The Forbidden City also houses the Museum of Royal Antiquities, which displays artifacts related to the Nguyen Dynasty. Visit one of the famous monuments of Vietnam with your friends and family.