Imperial City of Hue

Hoàng thành Huế (Đại Nội)

The palace of the Nguyen dynasty's 13 emperors, laid out after the Forbidden City in Beijing. The Noon Gate, Thai Hoa Palace, the Forbidden Purple City ruins and the moat form the core of the World Heritage Site.

The Citadel of Hue is a square city begun in 1804 by Emperor Gia Long of the Nguyen dynasty. It measures about 10 km around. Slightly south of its center lies the Imperial City (known in Vietnamese as “Dai Noi”). Within the Imperial City stands the Forbidden Purple City, where the emperor and his consorts lived, creating a three-tier layout of citadel, Imperial City and Forbidden City. Entering through the Noon Gate opposite the Flag Tower, you pass the Thai Hoa Palace (the main hall for enthronements and court audiences), the Temple of Emperor Thế Tổ, Hien Lam Pavilion, the Nine Dynastic Urns and Dien Tho Palace, among other structures. The Forbidden Purple City was largely destroyed in the fighting of 1968. Recent reconstruction has restored halls such as the Can Chanh Palace, so ruins and restored buildings stand side by side and visitors can see the scars of history. The Imperial City is very large, so allow at least 3 hours. You can rent an electric cart. Adult admission costs about 200,000 Vietnamese dong, and combination tickets with the tombs are available. It is usually open 07:00–17:30, and some night sessions have been added in recent years, when the Noon Gate and palaces take on a special atmosphere under lights. Dress appropriately, and photography is prohibited in some areas of the palaces.

Getting there: The citadel sits on the north bank of the Perfume River. From the hotel district on the south bank of the city center, it's about 20 minutes on foot across Trường Tiền Bridge, or you can take a pedicab.

Imperial City of Hue

Opening hours

Nearby sights

Places to eat nearby