TRAVELLIVE MAGAZINE Travellive 03-2016 | Page 73

FURTHER INFORMATION

tHe Royal tombs - tHe anCIent
aRCHIteCtURal masteRPIeCes
The royal tombs of the Nguyen Dynasty are important parts of
the complex of Hue monuments. The Nguyen Dynasty had 13
kings; however, because of historical context, there are only 7
tombs intact today, the tombs of Emperor Gia Long (1814-1820),
Emperor Minh Mang (1840-1843), Emperor Thieu Tri (1847),
Emperor Tu Duc (1864-1867), Emperor Dong Khanh (1888),
Emperor Duc Duc (1889), and Emperor Khai Dinh (1920-1931).
The most architecturally sophistocated of these royal tombs are
those of Emperor Minh Mang, Emperor Tu Duc, and Emperor Khai
Dinh. Tu Duc Tomb contains beautiful gardens and landscaping,
conveying a sense of tranquility. Within the tomb is Minh Khiem
Duong, the oldest theater in Vietnam, which used to entertain
Emperor Tu Duc. It’s also the only theater built inside a royal
tomb, contributing to its distinctive cultural interest.

ü POSITION: Tombs are located in
the southwestern part of Hue city. The
best starting point is Dan Nam Giao
at the end of Dien Bien Phu Street.
From here, you can easily travel to
all tombs.
ü TIME: It takes about 2 days to visit
all 7 royal tombs, one day for the
far away tombs including Gia Long,
Minh Mang, and Khai Dinh tombs
and one for the others. If your time is
limited, you can choose to visit the
3 largest tombs: Minh Mang Tomb,
Tu Duc Tomb, and Khai Dinh Tomb.
Tombs close at 5pm everyday.
ü ENTRANCE FEES FOR ROUTES:
3-destination route (Royal Citadel of
Hue city - Minh Mang Tomb - Khai
Dinh Tomb) VND280,000/adult and
VND55,000/child; 4-destination
route (Royal Citadel of Hue City
- Minh Mang Tomb - Tu Duc Tomb
- Khai Dinh Tomb): VND360,000/
adult and 70VND/child
ü NOTICE: You should bring hats,
umbrella, water, suitable shoes and
sandals as you need walk a lot.

Tomb of
Khai Dinh
–mperor
in Hue
- ©Anna
Levan
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