Citadel Hue is the most famous tourist destination of Thua Thien Hue province. It’s a complex system which covers 520ha of the area. It includes three circles of rampart: Hue Capital Citadel, Royal Citadel and Forbidden Citadel. Located in the North romantic Perfume River, The Citadel Hue was cultural and political center of the country in Nguyen Dynasty. Also, this is the must-visit of Hue attractions for tourist who ever come to Hue to admire a real ancient Viet Nam.
Citadel Hue
History of Citadel Hue
With favorable location with many good factors, Hue was chosen as the capital city under the Nguyen Dynasty. It lays in North of Perfume River and is covered by Ngu Binh Mountain in such a flat topography. Because of the convenient location, in 1802 King Gia Long has chosen and ordered a survey to select the location of the new building. It’s crossing through the villages of Phu Xuan, Van Xuan, An Hoa, An My, An Van, Phai, An Bao, The Lai and part of Bach Ma and Kim Long rivers.
In 1804, Citadel Hue has started to build with the acreage of 520ha. Till 1833 under the rule of the King Minh Mang, the construction was finished.
Architecture of Citadel Hue
The two main parts of Citadel Hue are Royal citadel and the Forbidden Citadel. Hoang Thanh (Royal Citadel) consists of about 100 works which built on a square land with 600m long sides. The main gate is named as Ngo Mon which facing to the South. The other ones are Hien Nhon (east), Chuong Duc(west) and Hoa Binh (north). The highlight of these constructions is the amazing harmony with nature. Most of the palaces have lakes, flower gardens, stone bridges and old trees to make vitality.
The Forbidden Citadel is in the central of the Royal Citadel. It has 7 entrances and many of large and small architectural constructions. In particular, the most notable is the Can Chanh Power Station, where the king worked and the dynasty. In addition, there are places for King, the royal families to live and the constructions for catering, health care, entertainment.
Outstanding places to visit Citadel Hue
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Ngo Mon Gate- Citadel Hue
Ngo Mon Gate of Citadel Hue Vietnam is not just a gate, but overall it is an example of complex architecture. Its top is five phoenix floors, also a stage used to organize many important historical events in Vietnam. Among those, King Bao Dai read the Declaration of Abdication and made devolution to Provisional Government of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam on August 25, 1945.
Ngo Mon Gate
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Thai Hoa Palace- Citadel Hue
Thai Hoa Palace is a popular destination for tourists on two-day Hue tours. Built in 1805, the Palace was where to hold the coronation of 13 Emperors of Nguyen Dynasty. Thai Hoa Palace has been repaired several times and changed from the original architecture. However, this place is still an important vestige in Citadel Hue.
Thai Hoa Palace
Also, the Citadel occupied the most prominent place because there is the dragon seat of the king, the symbol of feudal imperial power. Furthermore, this place is used for worship shrines of the Kings’ Nguyen: Trieu Mieu, Thai Mieu, Hung Mieu, The Mieu and Phung Tien Temples. There are a lot of other interesting features such as the internal affairs office, the storehouse for precious objects, workshop for manufacturing.
How to get to Citadel Hue?
Located right in the center of Hue city, there are a lot of options for you to visit Citadel Hue. Among those, convenient Hue motorbike tour is the top choice and the most suitable way. You can take a good scooter and necessary information for the tour. It just takes 15 -20 minutes to get to the entrance if you are in the city. Also you can visit other beautiful places of Hue city along romantic Perfume River. Another way is going by reasonable private car or taking a boat trip is not a bad choice.
Motorbike rental prices to do Citadel Hue
| Place/Tour | USD/day/pax |
| Around city (<70km)
|
5 USD/pax |
| To Da Nang/Hoi AN
|
25USD/pax |
| City tour with rider guide
|
39USD/pax |