Travel to Vietnam: Hue: Royal Tombs

The Nguyen emperors reigned for 143 years, beginning with Gia Long in 1802 and ending with the abdication of Bao Dai. The zenith of the dynasty came with Minh Mang, who ruled 1820-40, before the French arrived. We look here at his tomb and those of two of his successors, Tu Duc (1848-1883) and Khai Dinh (1916-1925).

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Entrance to Minh Mang's tomb. which is said to have kept 10,000 workers slaving for four years. It covers more than a thousand acres.

Sung An temple with Trung Minh Lake. Minh Mang was the fourth son of Gia Long, founder of the dynasty.

A stele tower.

Entrance to Tu Duc's tomb.

Lake.

Interior enclosure with Khiem Cung Gate.

Hoa Khiem Palace.

Inner enclosure.

Stele House.

Emperor's tomb

Way to Empress' tomb.

Gateway and screen blocking view of the empress's tomb.

Tomb of the empress.

Detail of ornament.

First staircase to Khai Dinh's tomb, which is as French as Vietnamese.

Second staircase.

Obelisk and statues on second platform.

Interior of Khai Thanh Temple.

Khai Dinh in traditional garb.

Khai Dinh in French uniform.

Khai Dinh as scholar.

View looking west from tomb over Chau River valley.