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travelled, the more restricted access became.
The principal entrance to the Imperial City is Ngo Mon, or the Noon Gate. Its imposing lower gateway is topped by the Pavilion of Five Phoenixes, where the emperor could observe important ceremonies. Beyond it, the central axis leads towards Thai Hoa Palace, the principal ceremonial hall.
Thai Hoa Palace was where the emperor received officials and presided over major state occasions. Its timber construction, elaborate decoration and position on the central axis reflect the importance of ceremony and hierarchy in the Nguyen court.
Behind the main ceremonial areas are the ancestral temples, including the Temple of Generations, and the Nine Dynastic Urns. These monumental bronze vessels represent the Nguyen emperors and are decorated with images reflecting the natural and cultural world of Vietnam.
At the heart of the complex was the Forbidden Purple City, a smaller walled enclosure reserved for the emperor, royal family and the most privileged members of the court.
It was once filled with palaces, residences, halls, gardens and service buildings. Much of this area, however, was destroyed during the twentieth century, particularly during the Battle of Hue in 1968.
gates and hidden doors invite visitors to explore a world where dressing traditionally is encouraged
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