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The surrounding landscape was incorporated according to principles of geomancy and imperial planning, with mountains, waterways and islands considered part of the capital ' s protective and symbolic structure.
The result was a city covering roughly 520 hectares and enclosed by more than 10 kilometres of fortified walls. The walls incorporated projecting bastions, defensive ditches and glacis, and their design was influenced by European military engineering, particularly the principles associated with French fortification engineer Vauban.
Water was equally important. Canals, moats and the surrounding river system formed part of the defensive infrastructure while also providing drainage, transport and access.
What is commonly called the Hue Citadel is actually a series of increasingly restricted enclosures.
The outer Capital City, or Citadel, was the fortified urban area. It contained government offices, military facilities, residences, workshops, religious buildings, gardens and other functions required to operate the imperial capital.
Inside it was the Imperial City, the principal governmental and ceremonial enclosure. At its centre was the Forbidden Purple City, the private domain of the emperor and royal household.
This arrangement reflected the hierarchical nature of Nguyen society. The further towards the centre a person
the fortified Ngo Mon( Noon Gate) opens to the impressive Pavilion of Five Phoenixes
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