When you purchase your entrance ticket at the Imperial City, you are given the opportunity to buy a package deal which also includes two of three main tombs in the area. The amazing Tu Duc Tomb at Hue City is one of these. An absolutely stunning and tranquil space that I can highly recommend.
Tickets
Because the combined ticket needs to be used over a period of two consecutive days, I decided against it when I was at the Imperial City. It was a few days later, after visiting the Incense Village that I noticed this tomb close by and decided to have a look.
Wow, was I ever impressed. After overhearing that this was the best of the three tombs, I will say that it is well worth the 150k dong or $8.25 CAD entrance fee. Tickets can be purchased at the front gate to the tomb.
History
Originally built as a palace in 1864, this is a huge site, 12 hectares in fact with over 50 buildings. In the centre is a gorgeous lake with three bridges. The lawn area with towering trees is absolutely stunning.
After Tu Ducs death, he and his Queen were buried here and so it became a tomb. Tu Duc was the 4th Emperor in the Nguyen Dynasty and had the longest reign of all 13 Emperors. He ruled from 1848 to 1883, a total of 36 years.
Emperor Tu Doc’s Tomb
As well as multiple temples, houses and pagoda’s, the site’s main purpose of course is the burial place for the emperor and his wife.
Created in a traditional fashion, Tu Duc’s tomb begins down at a lower level and gradually works its way up sets of steps, around ponds and through gates until you finally reach the actual stone tomb in the centre of a large walled space.
Just before the actual burial place, is a towering pavilion with a huge stele, the largest in all of Vietnam in fact. The inscription is a detailed and self-critical autobiography by Tu Duc.
Queen Le Thien Anh’s Tomb
Built in a similar fashion to her husbands, the queens tomb is a little less grand in stature, however I found it much better preserved and ornate. The decorative features at the back of the tomb, where her body lays, are exquisite and remain mostly intact.
The Grounds
As I walked around this magnificent and huge place, I was completely at peace. The setting is so tranquil as to be meditative. Ponds of gold fish, tall shade trees and bridges reflected onto calm waters surround you here.
I cannot express enough how beautifully this complex is laid out. The flow from one building to the next is natural and innate. I realize this was the intention but it really stood out to me. Walking around in current day settings is quite jarring, there is very little natural flow. But the ancient arts that were studied and applied to these old structures and places is magical. Definitely worth a visit if you find yourself in the area of Hue City or the Incense Village in Vietnam.
