The ancient Vietnamese dynasties chose Hue as their capital, and before 1945, during the Nguyen Dynasty, Hue was the political, cultural, and religious center of Vietnam. For a century and a half, the ancient Vietnamese dynasties developed Hue, leaving behind a wealth of ancient architecture. This includes numerous magnificent and luxurious palaces, tombs, fortresses, city walls, temples, and other significant historical structures. Even more remarkable is its intangible heritage, such as valuable spiritual sources, ancient customs, festivals, arts, and traditional crafts. The culture built by generations reflects the unique status of the Hue Imperial City, endowing this ancient city with significant and distinctive wealth.
The Hue Imperial City was built in 1802, and its architectural style and functional divisions were largely modeled after the Forbidden City in Beijing.
The Perfume River runs through the city, dividing Hue into northern and southern sections. The Imperial City is located in the northern area and consists of an outer city and an inner city. The outer city, once the capital, is surrounded by a moat and features ten city gates. It houses the six ministries where officials worked, along with the National Academy, the Council of Secret Affairs, the Court of Auditors, the Historical Institute, the Cabinet, and the Institute of Scholars.
The inner city serves as the Imperial City, resembling Beijing’s Forbidden City, and is divided into front and back sections. The front section includes the Hall of Cần Chánh, where the emperor conducted state affairs, while the back houses the Emperor’s residence (Hall of Càn Thành), the Queen’s residence (Hall of Khôn Thái), the Crown Prince’s residence (Hall of Quang Minh), and the residences of other concubines (Shun Hui Courtyard). The Imperial City also features a flag tower, the Hall of Grand Harmony, and temples dedicated to the worship of past emperors.
The Hue Imperial City is the largest and most well-preserved ancient architectural complex in Vietnam, representing the highest achievements of Vietnamese ancient architectural art. It was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993. UNESCO describes Hue Imperial City as a remarkable example of the planning and construction of a complete defended capital city in a relatively short period in the early years of the 19th century CE. The integrity of the town layout and building design make it an exceptional specimen of late feudal urban planning in East Asia.
Like the Forbidden City in Beijing, the Hue Imperial City prominently features red and yellow as its main color palette. Entering through the Noon Gate (the main gate), visitors can leisurely stroll and experience a sense of walking through a simplified version of the Forbidden City in Beijing. However, the Hue Imperial City has faced significant damage due to wars, environmental factors, and climate changes. This is evident in the still-unrepaired ruins and crumbling walls within the complex. Yet amidst the ruins, blooming flowers symbolize a different kind of vitality and resilience.
