Thua Thien-Hue city provincial People’s Committee has approved a project to restore the Hue royal citadel in the the period of 2011-2015 with the total investment capital of approximately VND1.3 trillion.

Situated on the Northern bank of the Perfume River, with an area of 500 ha and a system of three circles of ramparts, namely from outside to inside: Kinh Thanh (Capital Citadel), Hoang Thanh (Royal Citadel) and Tu Cam Thanh (Forbidden Citadel).

The Ngu Binh Mountain in the South is used as a front screening elevation. The Con Hen and Con Da Vien (both are sand dunes) on the Perfume River are chosen as a geomancy condition "dragon on the left, tiger on the right" to protect the capital city. 

The construction of Hue Citadel stared in 1805, under the reign of Emperor Gia Long and completed in 1832 under the reign of Emperor Ming Mang. Under Nguyen's reign, Kings have ordered to build ramparts, palaces and constructional works of royal. Over 200 years to now, it is still original with nearly 140 small and large constructions.  

The Citadel, square in shape and almost 10 km in circumference, 6 m high, 21 m thick and with 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). 

The Imperial City is located in the center of the Citadel where established highest offices of Viet Nam's feudalism 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. Noon Gate is only used for the King. Royal Palace consists of more 100 beautiful constructional works divided many sectors. 

Forbidden citadel: Located inside the Imperial City, behind the Throne Palace, the Forbidden Purple City is reserved for Emperor and his family. Constructed early in Emperor Gia Long'reign in 1804 with brick walls 3.72m high, 0,72 m thick, about 1,230 m in circumference. Its front and back sides are 324 m each, while either left and right side is more than 290 m, including 50 architectural constructions of different sizes and 7 gates for facilities of entrance and exit. Dai Cung Mon (the Great Place Gate) is in the front side for Kings. Can Chanh Palace (the place for every day 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 King' cooking), Thai Binh Lau (King's reading room)... Besides, Hue is also famous for royal tombs and temples of Nguyen Kings. Seven tombs with different aspects 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 cultural heritage of world.

The total capital of the project invested in restoring the citadel wall, relocating households living surrounding the citadel and repairing the system of bridges and drains is sourced from the State budget and other sources. 

The Hue Citadel Complex, established during the Nguyen dynasty from 1805 to 1945, is one of the relics in the former Hue Imperial Capital-a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site and a great destination for tours to Vietnam.

Thu Nguyen (Collected)

Source: VNN

Vietnam travel, tours in Vietnam, Vietnam culture travel