Hue Citadel - World Heritage Site

Situated in the prime location in Central Vietnam, Hue is worldwide famous for wonderful natural landscapes, unique festivals, and hospitable local people. The city is worth one of most ideal destinations in Vietnam. Established as the capital of unified Viet Nam in 1802, Hué was not only the political but also the cultural and religious centre under the Nguyen dynasty until 1945. The Perfume River winds its way through the Capital City, the Imperial City, the Forbidden Purple City and the Inner City, giving this unique feudal capital a setting of great natural beauty. Hue has chosen to be the capital city of the Southern Kingdom by all Lords Nguyen and officially became the capital under Tay Son Dynasty. For approximately 400 years, Hue has become a great landscape and architectural site. Hue royal complex has been officially recognized by the UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.

While imperial rule ended more than six decades ago, the central city of Hue still bears the marks of its royal past. From 1802 to 1945 Hue was home to 13 Nguyen emperors, whose palaces and tombs provide fascinating glimpses into the luxurious and secretive world of the court. During this period, the Imperial City was built according to the practices of Feng Shui that dictates the location and shape of spaces in harmony with both the physical and spiritual. Visitors may explore the red-lacquered pavilions of the Citadel, wander through ancient garden houses, or feast on delicacies once served in the royal palaces.

Hue is the capital city of Thua Thien-Huế province,  Vietnam. Between 1802 and 1945, it was the imperial capital of the Nguyen dynasty. It is well known for its monuments and architecture. Its population stands at about 950,000 people. In Sino-Vietnamese script, used until 1945, the name of the city is written. While imperial rule ended more than six decades ago, the central city of Hue still bears the marks of its royal past. From 1802 to 1945 Hue was home to 13 Nguyen emperors, whose palaces and tombs provide fascinating glimpses into the luxurious and secretive world of the court. Hue makes a great midpoint on the North to South route through Vietnam.  The city was the imperial capital of the Nguyen Dynasty in the 17th century and the capital of Vietnam from 1802 to 1945.  While the old citadel's historical buildings suffered considerable damage in the American War, UNESCO protection led to a rapid restoration.  On the edge of town, spend time exploring the grand tombs of Vietnam's famous emperors.

Huế originally rose to prominence as the capital of the Nguyễn Lords, a feudal dynasty which dominated much of southern Vietnam from the 17th to the 19th century. In 1775 when Trịnh Sâm captured it, it was known as Phú Xuân. In 1802, Nguyễn Phúc Ánh (later Emperor Gia Long) succeeded in establishing his control over the whole of Vietnam, thereby making Huế the national capital.

Huế was the national capital until 1945, when Emperor Bao Dại abdicated and a communist government was established in Hà Nội (Hanoi), in the north. While Bảo Đại was briefly proclaimed "Head of State" with the help of the returning French colonialists in 1949 (although not with recognition from the communists and the full acceptance of the Vietnamese people), his new capital was Sài Gòn (Saigon), in the south.

In the Vietnam War, Huế’s central position placed it very near the border between North Vietnam and South Vietnam; however, the city was located in South Vietnam. In the Tết Offensive of 1968, during the Battle of Huế, the city suffered considerable damage not only to its physical features, but its reputation as well, most of it from American firepower and bombings on the historical buildings as well as the massacre at Huế committed by the communist forces. After the war’s conclusion, many of the historic features of Huế were neglected because they were seen by the victorious regime and some other Vietnamese as "relics from the feudal regime"; the Vietnamese Communist Party doctrine officially described the Nguyễn Dynasty as "feudal" and "reactionary." There has since been a change of policy, however, and many historical areas of the city are currently being restored.

Huế is well known for its historic monuments, which have earned it a place in UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites.The seat of the Nguyễn emperors was the Citadel, which occupies a large, walled area on the north side of the Perfume River. Inside the citadel was a forbidden city where only the emperors, concubines, and those close enough to them were granted access; the punishment for trespassing was death. Today, little of the forbidden city remains, though reconstruction efforts are in progress to maintain it as a historic tourist attraction.

Roughly along the Perfume River from Huế lie myriad other monuments, including the tombs of several emperors, including Minh Mạng, Khải Định, and Tự Đức. Also notable is the Thiên Mụ Pagoda, the largest pagoda in Huế and the official symbol of the city.

A number of French-style buildings lie along the south bank of the Perfume River. Among them are Quốc Học High School, the oldest high school in Vietnam, and Hai Ba Trung High School.

The Hue Museum of Royal Fine Arts on 3 Le Truc Street also maintains a collection of various artifacts from the city.

Hue is the former modern capital of Vietnam. It is well known for its monuments and architecture. The city is located in central Vietnam on the banks of the Perfume River, just a few miles west of the Oriental Sea. Hue originally rose to prominence as the capital of the Nguyen family, a feudal dynasty which dominated much of (then) southern Vietnam from the 17th to the 19th century. In 1802, Emperor Gia Long succeeded in establishing his control over the whole of Vietnam, thereby making Hue the national capital. It retained this status until 1945, when last Emperor Bao Dai abdicated. Hue's most outstanding attractions are the royal citadel, an imperial city and the emperor's tombs. Hue's complex of monuments is listed among the UNESCO's World Heritage Sites.

Hue makes a great midpoint on the North to South route through Vietnam.  The city was the imperial capital of the Nguyen Dynasty in the 17th century and the capital of Vietnam from 1802 to 1945.  While the old citadel's historical buildings suffered considerable damage in the American War, UNESCO protection led to a rapid restoration.  On the edge of town, spend time exploring the grand tombs of Vietnam's famous emperors

Geography:
Geographical location: Hue City is situated in the geographical coordinates of 160 to 16080’ north latitude and 10708’ to 108020’ east longitude. The city is adjacent Huong Tra town to the north and the west, with Huong Thuy town to the south, and with Phu Vang district to the east. In particular, the city lies along two riverbanks of romantic Huong River downstream, far about 112km from Da Nang, 14km from Thuan An beach, 14km from Phu Bai airport, and 50km from Chan May deep-water port.

Terrain:
Leaning against Truong Son Mountains, Hue city is a plain in downstream of Huong River and Bo River with the average altitude of about 3-4m above the sea level. The plain is relatively flat, despite the appearance of alternating hills, low mountains, such as Mount Ngu Binh, and Vong Canh Mountain…

Climate:
Thua Thien – Hue province belongs to humid tropical climate region, but there is a complex differentiation here both in time and in space. As the result, the climate in Hue city is quite different from the North and the South, eventually right in Thua Thien – Hue province. Coastal and delta regions divides two distinct seasons: the dry season from March to August is rather hot and muggy; the temperature sometimes is up to 39,9oC. Meanwhile the rainy season from August to January is likely to occur flood; the average temperature in Hue is around 19.7oC. In contrast, it is much rainy, the climate is cool, and the temperature is about 9oC to 29oC in the mountainous region.

History:
Hue is now a provincial city in Thua Thien – Hue. Undergoing many changes in history, after consolidating the state management apparatus and rearranging administrative units nationwide in September 1945, Hue officially became the provincial city. After 1975, Hue city was selected as the provincial city of Binh Tri Thien province, including: Phu An, Phu Cat, Phu Hau, Phu Hiep, Phu Hoa, Phu Thuan, Tay Loc, Thuan Hoa, Thuan Loc, Thuan Thanh, Vinh Loi, Vinh Ninh and 6 communies: Huong Luu, Thuy Phu, Thuy Phuoc, Thuy Truong, Thuy Xuan, Xuan Long. Then on 30 June, 1989, after several times merging and splitting administrative units, along with the separatation of Binh Tri Thien province, Hue city backed to the provincial city of Thua Thien – Hue. On 24 August 2005, Vietnam Government issued the decision to recognize Hue city as urban of grade 1 and directly under Thua Thien – Hue province.

People:
Kinh ethnic people account for 97% of provincial population, mainly reside in Hue city and coastal districts. The Vietnamese is commonly used in almost fields in the region. Besides, there are some ethnic groups in Thua Thien – Hue territory, such as Bru – Van Kieu, Co Tu, Ta Oi, Thai, Nung, Hoa…Yet the population of Van Kieu, Co Tu, and Ta Oi ethnic minorities occupies majority. Their geographical residence is mainly in hilly region.
 
Administration:
Hue city includes 27 administrative units (27 wards): Cuu An, An Dong 3, An Hoa, An Tay, Huong So, Kim Long, Phu Binh, Phu Cat, Phu Hau, Phu Hiep, Phu Hoa, Phu Hoi, Phu Nhuan, Phu Thuan,  Phuoc Vinh, Phuong Duc, Tay Loc, Thuan Hoa, Thuan Loc, Thuan Thanh, Truong An, Vinh Ninh, Vy Da, Xuan Phu, Huong Long, Thuy Bieu, and Thuy Xuan.

Economy
Hue is home to many big and famous commercial centers located in 2 sides of  Huong River riverbank, such as Dong Ba Market, Tay Loc Market, An Cuu Market, Ben Ngu Market, Thuan Thanh Supermarket, Truong Tien Plaza (Coop mart Supermarket), Phong Phu Plaza(Big C).
With the aim of maintaining high economic growth and sustainability, the growth in Hue economy reached significant level. Total GDP over years increased from $ 3,934,037 million in 2006 to $ 6.14203 million in 2010. The economic growth rate in 2010 set 12.5%. Accordingly, in 2010, economic structure in Hue shifted towards services, industry – construction, agriculture – forestry – fishery, in which services accounted for 45.2%, industry – construction accounted for 39.7 % and agriculture – forestry – fishery accounted for 15.1%.
 
Culture
Hue owns Hue a history of formation and development of nearly seven centuries (from 1306). During that long period, Hue has integrated precious material and spiritual values to create a unique Hue cultural tradition.  Hue culture is created by the unique spirit, diverse types, rich and unique content, and is expressed in various fields such as literature, music, theater, fine arts, architecture, customs and habits, festivals, behavior, communication style, and lifestyle…Notably, Tuong (a kind of traditional folk song) art in still remains its own identity.  Referring to Hue, it will be a deficiency if not mentioning royal court music, a symbol of Hue city, which is recognized by UNESCO as intangible and oral masterpiece of humanity.
 
Tourism:
 Huong River – Ngu Mountain are considered as symbols of romantic nature in Hue.  Besides, highlight potential in Hue is also reflected in 300 artistic architectural works, which is recognized by UNESCO as cultural heritage of humanity in 1993. That is, the system of fortresses, palaces, royal tombs of Kings in Nguyen Dynasty, royal architectures, folk architectures, temples, shrines, home garden system…  In November 2003, Hue royal court music was recognized as world intangible cultural heritage, contributing to the pride for Hue citizens.
Along with world cultural heritage, natural landscapes, and historical relics, Hue is also well known with many unique garden houses: An Hien, Lac Tinh Vien, Ngoc Son Princess, Ty Ba Trang, Tinh Gia Vien…In addition, the system of restaurants, services and hotels in Hue gradually turn the city into a tourism center in Vietnam. Hue hotels offer a capacity of 2,604 operating rooms, of which there are three 4-star hotels, two 2-star hotels and many 1-2 star hotels.  Hue Tourisim is also available for tourism routes:  Kim Long tourism area, Nam Chau Hoi Quan, Gia Hoi – Chi Lang Old Towns, Bach Dang night street, Huong River, boat trip along Huong River and Ngu Ha River…Tourism in Hue thus attracs a great number of both domestic and foreign tourists.

Festival:
There are two kinds of festivals in Hue: traditional festivals and royal festivals. Among them, royal festivals aim to reflect royal ritual activities of Nguyen Dynasty. Meanwhile, traditional festivals are extremely diverse, such as Hue Nam festival in Hon Chen palace under Champa beliefs, festivals honoring ancestors who established traditional handicraft villages and villages. In these festivals, many cultural activities continuously take place: boat racing, tug of war, wrestling … attracting tourists. In particular, the city is worldwide known by its excellent Hue Festival. Organizing the first time in 2000, Hue Festival has been held so far seven times (2000, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2010, and 2012). This is a major cultural event with the scale of national and international stature, retaining important implications in the life of Hue people.  In addition, this is an important condition for the construction of Hue city into festival city in Vietnam.

Location Hue Citadel is located on the Northern bank of the Perfume River.
Characteristic The size of Hue citadel is 500ha, it contains three circles of ramparts, namely from outside to inside: Kinh Thanh Hue (Hue Capital Citadel), Hoang Thanh (Royal Citadel) and Tu Cam Thanh (Forbidden Citadel).
In the history, Hue citadel was chosen to be the capital city of Southern Kingdom, then became the capital of Tay Son Dynasty. For nearly 400 years, Hue has become a great landscape and architectural site and recognized by the UNESCO as a World Heritage Site
Ngu Binh Mountain in the south is used as a front screening elevation. Its also well-known for two sand dunes of The Con Hen and Con Da Vien on the Perfume River, which are called "dragon on the left, tiger on the right" to protect the capital city.

Kinh Thanh Hue (Hue Capital Citadel)
Hue Citadel was first constructed in 1805 under the reign Gia Long emperor  and completed in 1832 under the reign of Emperor Ming Mang. Ramparts, palaces, and constructional works for royal were built orderly under Emperors of Nguyen Dynasty and it still remains the original features. The Citadel, square in shape, is almost 10km in circumference, 6m high, 21m thick and 10 entrances. On the top of the walls that surround it, 24 bastions are established for defensive purposes. Besides, the Citadel has an ancillary gate connecting the Tran Binh Bastion called the Thai Binh Mon (Peace Gate).

Hoang Thanh (Royal Citadel or Imperial City)
The Imperial City is situated in the centre of the citadel where the highest office of Viet Nam’s feudalism is set and sanctums honoring the cult of decreased Emperors. The Citadel, also has a nearly square form, with more than 600m long for each side, built of brick 4m high, 1m thick, around which is ditched a system of protection trench. Access to the Imperial City can be made by four entrance gates. Only King can use Ngo Mon Gate. Royal Citadel consists of more 100 beautiful constructional works divided many sectors:
 - Sector for the Ngo Mon Gate and the Thai Hoa Palace: Various grand events and ceremonies are celebrated here.
- Sector for worship shrines of the Kings Nguyen: Trieu Mieu, Thai Mieu, Hung Mieu, The Mieu and Phung Tien Temples.
 - Sector for internal affairs office: Storehouse for precious objects, workshop for manufacturing various useful articles.
 - Sectors for the Kham Van Palace and the Co Ha Garden: This place used to be very special because it was used for Princes' studying or enjoying.

Tu Cam Thanh (Forbidden Citadel)
Situated inside the Imperial City, behind the Throne Palace, the Forbidden Purple Citadel is reserved for Emperor and his family. Constructed early under reign of Emperor Gia Long in 1804 with brick walls of 3.72m high, 0.72m thick, about 1,230m in circumference. Its front and back sides are 324m each while either left and right side is more than 290m including 50 architectural constructions of different sizes and 7 gates for facilities of entrance and exit. Dai Cung Mon (the Great Palace Gate) is in the front side for the Kings. Can Chanh Palace (the place for daily working of Emperors). Can Thanh (Emperor's Private Palace), Khon Thai Residence (Queen's Private Apartment) reserved for the Queen. Duyet Thi Duong house (Royal Theatre), Thuong Thien (the kitchen for the Kings' food), Thai Binh Lau (King's reading room)...

In addition, there are also famous royal tombs and temples of Kings Nguyen outside Hue Citadel. Seven tombs with different aspect are not only a wonderful arch but also combining beautiful, imposing nature and poetic of Hue. Ancient Hue including Perfume River and Ngu Mountain, palaces and citadels, tombs and temples with hundred of historic years are being embellished and recovered by material contribution of Vietnamese and International community in order to keep Hue City as World cultural heritage. 

Outstanding Universal Value
Brief synthesis
The Complex of Hue Monuments is located in and around Hue City in Thua Thien-Hue Province in the geographical centre of Vietnam and with easy access to the sea. Established as the capital of unified Vietnam in 1802 CE, Hue was not only the political but also the cultural and religious centre under the Nguyen Dynasty, the last royal dynasty of Vietnamese history, from 1802 to 1945 CE.

The plan of the new capital is in accordance with ancient oriental philosophy, and respected the physical conditions of the site.

The Ngu Binh Mountain (known as the Royal Screen) and the Perfume River, which runs through the city, give this unique feudal capital an entire setting of great natural beauty as well defining its symbolic importance. The site was chosen for a combination of natural features – hills representing a protective screen in front of the monuments or taking the role of “a blue dragon” to the left and “a white tiger” to the right – which shield the main entrance and prevent the entry of malevolent spirits.  Within this landscape, the main features of the city are laid out.

The structures of the Complex of Hue Monuments are carefully placed within the natural setting of the site and aligned cosmologically with the Five Cardinal Points (centre, west, east, north, south), the Five Elements (earth, metal, wood, water, fire), and the Five Colours (yellow, white, blue, black, red).

The central structure is the Hue Citadel area which was the administrative centre of southern Viet Nam during the 17th and 18th centuries CE. Within the Hue Citadel were located not only administrative and military functions of the Empire, but also the Imperial Residence, the Hoang Thanh (Imperial City), the Tu Cam Thanh (Forbidden Purple City) and related royal  palaces.

Tran Binh Dai, an additional defensive work in the north-east corner of the Capital City, was designed to control movement on the river. Another fortress, Tran Hai Thanh, was constructed a little later to protect the capital against assault from the sea.

Outside the Capital City there are several associated monuments of importance. In the outlying areas were located important ritual sites related to the spiritual life of the dynasty such as the Van Mieu (Temple of Literature), the Dan Nam Giao (Esplanade of Sacrifice to the Heaven and Earth), the Ho Quyen (Royal Area), the Den Voi Re (Temple of the Roaring Elephant), and the Chua Thien Mu (Celestial Lady Pagoda).  Further upstream, arranged along the Perfume River were the tombs of the dynasty’s emperors. The Complex of Hue Monuments is a remarkable example of the planning and construction of a complete defended capital city in a relatively short period in the early years of the 19th century CE.  The integrity of the town layout and building design make it an exceptional specimen of late feudal urban planning in East Asia.

Integrity
The Complex of Hue Monuments site has suffered from the effects of 3 wars, as well as modern development and expanding human settlements.  Nevertheless the complex of monuments within its landscape setting remains sufficiently well preserved as a whole, or recorded, to demonstrate that the overall integrity of the site has been maintained.  

All the key elements of monumental arts, and town planning, that are necessary to express the value for which the site is inscribed on the World Heritage List are included within the well-protected boundaries of the property and its buffer zone. However the wider landscape setting of the property, its relationship with the natural landscape and the other temples and tombs along the Perfume River associated with the monuments within the property, are not included within either boundaries.

Authenticity
The authenticity of the Complex of Hue Monuments may be understood through the unique layout of the design of the site, which became the imperial capital of the Vietnam Empire in the 19th and early 20th centuries. The basic architectural and landscape features of the site have been maintained intact since their original construction in the early 19th century CE.

The natural setting of the Perfume River, within which the citadel, temples and tombs have been laid out in accordance with geomantic principles, demonstrates the symbolic meaning, beauty and significance of the site. The original plan within this setting remains evident. However some of the attributes that allow the understanding of the wider relationship with the river are outside the boundary. The overall setting of the town within its landscape could be compromised by urbanization and development of infrastructure.

Although some of the structures are now in ruins, and most of the significant existing monuments have been partially restored, this has been carried out using traditional techniques and materials, according to international professional standards of conservation to ensure that the authenticity of the monuments has been maintained. There continue to be concerns that threats from flooding, insect damage and inappropriate development within the site could affect its authenticity and the ability of the site to demonstrate its Outstanding Universal Value.

Perfume River Cruise
Take a cruise along the Perfume River, during which your expert guide will explain the eight relatively intact royal tombs scattered along the river valley. Each was built when the emperor was still alive and was meticulously planned right down to the last detail.

Imperial Cuisine
For lunch, dine like the Hue royals at Tinh Gia Vien, a wonderful old Hue-style garden villa on a quiet side street. Formerly the residence of a princess, the restaurant was converted by a bonsai enthusiast, and serves Imperial cuisine.

Citadel Tour
Explore Hue’s landmark attraction, the Citadel. Originally constructed in 1804 as the seat of imperial government, it is comprised of six-foot thick brick ramparts and 10 fortified gates, all encircled by a 100-foot wide moat.

Royal Museum of Fine Arts
Built in 1845, this wooden palace houses relics and fine art from the Nguyen Dynasty, the last imperial dynasty in Vietnam. The museum’s extensive collection includes 150-year-old glass paintings, court robes, head gear, ceramics, plus musical instruments, utensils and other decorative artifacts made from precious stones, bone, ivory, enamel and bronze.

Getting here: Hue has a small domestic airport. It is a 1 hour flight from Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.