Travel Guide

Your majestic journey in Hue, the historical heart of Vietnam wouldn’t be the same without its enchanting royal tombs. Nestled along the poetic Perfume River, these sacred resting places bear witness to the rich tapestry of the Nguyen Dynasty, weaving tales of emperors, legacy, and the exquisite fusion of Vietnamese and European architectural styles. Join us on an exploration of each tomb's unique charm, unveiling the opulent legacies left by past rulers and the serene beauty that envelops these timeless monuments. From the majestic grandeur of Minh Mang Tomb to the serene simplicity of Gia Long Tomb, the royal tombs of Hue promise a captivating voyage into Vietnam's imperial history.

What Are The Seven Royal Tombs In Hue Vietnam ?

There were 13 kings in the Nguyen Dynasty, the last ruling dynasty of Vietnam, but only 7 imperial tombs were built. These tombs house exquisite artworks, sculptures, and intricately designed temples, pavilions, and statues, showcasing the dynasty's commitment to art and culture. Of these seven tombs, the most popular ones are the tombs of Khai Dinh, Minh Mang, and Tu Duc. The other four are the tombs of Gia Long, Duc Duc, Thieu Tri, and Dong Khanh.

Khai Dinh Royal Tomb In Hue

Khai Dinh’s Tomb is one of the most popular royal tombs in Hue. Emperor Khai Dinh reigned from 1916 to 1925 as the twelfth and penultimate emperor of the Nguyen Dynasty but was commonly seen as a puppet of the French. The construction of the Mausoleum of Emperor Khai Dinh took 11 years, it began in 1920 and was completed in 1931, after Khai Dinh's death. The Khai Dinh Tomb’s architectural style is a blend of traditional Vietnamese and European influences. The exterior of the tomb is a mix of Gothic and Renaissance elements, while the interior is adorned with intricate glass and colorful porcelain mosaics. The main structure of the tomb is the Thien Dinh Palace, which houses a bronze statue of Khai Dinh, his grave, and other decorative items. It’s crazy that the tomb was constructed manually without any support from machines. There are a few stairs to climb but it shouldn’t be too much of a problem.

• Location: Chau Chu Mountain, about 10 kilometers from Hue’s city center.
• Opening hours: 06:30 AM - 5:30 PM in the summer; 07:00 AM - 5:00 PM in the winter
• Entrance fee: 100,000 VND /adults; 20,000 VND for children under 13

Minh Mang Royal Tomb In Hue 

The construction of Minh Mang’s Tomb, one of the most well-known and beautiful royal tombs in Hue, began in 1840 during the king's reign but was completed by his successor, Emperor Thieu Tri, in 1843. Minh Mang was the second emperor of the Nguyen Dynasty, ruling from 1820 to 1841, known for his Confucian principles and anti-Western policies. The tomb exhibits traditional Vietnamese architectural elements and adheres to the principles of Feng Shui with perfect symmetry. So if you like things even, Minh Mang’s Royal Tomb is a must-visit.

The tomb complex begins with a large courtyard and a stele pavilion that houses a stone tablet inscribed with details about Minh Mang's life and accomplishments written by his son. The Honors Courtyard is flanked by statues of elephants, horses, and mandarins, looking over the king, representing the emperor's military and civil officials. The tomb itself is located in the rear part of the complex.

• Location: Huong Tho, Huong Tra, 14 km from Hue’s city center.
• Opening hours: 07:30 AM - 5:00 PM
• Entrance fee: 150,000 VND /adults; 20,000 VND for children under 13

Tu Duc Royal Tomb In Hue

Tu Duc, Emperor Thieu Tri’s son, was the fourth emperor of the Nguyen Dynasty, ruling from 1847 to 1883. He had countless wives and concubines but wasn’t able to have any children. He instead planned to build an impressive royal tomb for his passing, which demanded so much labor that it spawned a coup in 1866 but was put out. 

The construction continued throughout his reign and was completed in 1867. The Mausoleum of Emperor Tu Duc is known for its intricate architecture, blending traditional Vietnamese elements with influences from Confucianism and Buddhism. The entrance to the tomb features a courtyard with stone statues and mandarins. The Hoa Temple is dedicated to Tu Duc and his wife, Empress Le Thien Anh, which houses two thrones (the smaller one is for Tu Duc who was only 153 cm tall, literally a short king). The complex also boasts beautiful pavilions, lakes, and ponds where he used to sit and recite poetry. Tu Duc's tomb itself is located in a secluded part of the complex and is a symbolic monument because the king was buried elsewhere. He was buried with treasures and to keep people from finding out, all the servants who interred him were beheaded.

• Location: Dong Ba Bridge, Thuong Ward, 6.5 km from Hue’s city center.
• Opening hours: 07:30 AM - 5:00 PM
• Entrance fee: 150,000 VND /adults; 20,000 VND for children under 13

Gia Long Royal Tomb In Hue

Gia Long, born Nguyen Phuc Anh, was the founder of the Nguyen Dynasty and the first emperor. He ruled from 1802 to 1820. The construction of the tomb began in 1814, during Gia Long's reign, and it was completed in 1820, the year of his death. Gia Long's tomb complex is relatively modest compared to some of the later imperial tombs in Hue. His tomb is a simple and traditional structure, surrounded by green hills, mountains, and a lotus lake.  A beautiful final resting place of the first emperor of the Nguyen Dynasty and his wife.

Gia Long’s Royal Tomb is the furthest away from the city so it’s less touristy, a great place if you want some quiet to enjoy nature. It can be reached by boat from the Perfume River or by motorcycle.

• Location: Huong Tho, Huong Tra District, 16 km from Hue’s city center.
• Opening hours: 07:30 AM - 5:00 PM
• Entrance fee: 40,000 VND /adults; free for children under 13

Duc Duc Royal Tomb In Hue

The tomb of Duc Duc, also known as An Mausoleum, is perhaps the smallest and most modest of the seven tombs. It is the burial place of 3 emperors: Duc Duc, the fifth ruler of the Nguyen Dynasty (who reigned for just 3 days), Thanh Thai (his son), and Duy Tan (his grandson).

Compared to other tombs of the Nguyen emperors, the Duc Duc Tomb has a simpler architectural design. The tomb consists of two areas: Dien Long An and the burial site of the king and queen. Both areas utilize Phuoc Qua gravel in the front as the foreground, with the Mu Niem stream flowing in front as a prominent feature, and the Tam Thai mountain behind serving as the background. There are three altars, one for Duc Duc and his consort (in the middle), one for Thanh Thai (on the left), and one for Duy Tan (on the right).

• Location: Duy Tan, An Cuu Ward, 1.5 km from Hue’s city center
• Opening hours: 7:30 AM - 5:30 PM weekdays
• Entrance fee: 40,000 VND /adults; free for children under 13

Thieu Tri Royal Tomb In Hue

Thieu Tri was the third emperor of the Nguyen Dynasty, ruling from 1841 to 1847, he was Minh Mang’s son and Tu Duc’s father. The construction of Thieu Tri's royal tomb began in 1848, a year after his death, and was completed in 1853.

Before the construction of this tomb, Hue had only two tombs, those of Emperor Gia Long and Minh Mang. While still alive, Emperor Thieu Tri studied the architectural art of the tombs of his predecessors to propose a construction plan for his final resting place. Compared to the tombs of Gia Long and Minh Mang, Emperor Thieu Tri's tomb is closer to the Imperial City, harmonizing the two architectural styles of his predecessors' tombs.

• Location: Thuy Bang, Huong Thuy, 7 km from Hue’s city center.
• Opening hours: 07:30 AM - 5:00 PM
• Entrance fee: 40,000 VND /adults; free for children under 13

Dong Khanh Royal Tomb In Hue 

Dong Khanh was the ninth emperor of the Nguyen Dynasty, reigning from 1885 to 1889. The construction of Dong Khanh's tomb took place over four reigns (1888-1923), leaving an imprint of two architectural styles from different historical periods.

The tomb area is almost entirely "Europeanized," blended with East Asian elements. The main hall and auxiliary buildings still feature rows of columns adorned with golden-painted ornamental motifs depicting the Four Supernatural Creatures and the Four Seasons. The Ngung Hy Hall contains 24 drawings illustrating scenes from the classic story “Nhi thap tu hieu” (Twenty-four filial exemplars). The system of multicolored stained glass windows and two paintings depicting the Franco-Prussian War, along with some other artifacts, reflects the influence of Western European culture.

• Location: Cu Si Hamlet, Thuong Hai Village, Thuy Xuan Commune, 5km from the city center.
• Opening hours: 07:30 AM - 5:30 PM
• Entrance fee: 100,000 VND /adults; free for children under 13

How To Get To The Royal Tombs In Hue 

The royal tombs lie scattered around the city center, the distance from Phu Xuan Bridge to the tombs ranges from 2 to 16 kilometers. There are multiple ways to reach the royal tombs from Hue city center. You can take a taxi to the further ones like Gia Long Tomb. For the closer ones, you can rent a scooter and drive, or use ride-hailing apps like Grab or Be. 

If you want to visit a combo of the royal tombs in Hue, you can opt for group tours, which often include transportation. We also organize combo tours of the royal tombs in Hue and the Imperial City. Feel free to contact us for more details.

Tips For Visiting The Royal Tombs In Hue 

• Visit early in the morning to avoid crowds and enjoy a more tranquil experience.
• There aren’t any dress codes for visiting the royal tombs but you should dress modestly out of respect. Wear comfortable shoes because you’re going to be walking and climbing stairs.
• Consider going with a local guide. This isn’t necessary of course, but unless you have a perfect understanding of Vietnamese history, you won’t be able to appreciate the cultural and historical richness of the sites, which would be a shame. Some sites offer audio guides in multiple languages for self-guided tours.
• Respect any photography restrictions inside the tombs.
• Maintain a quiet and respectful demeanor, especially in areas of worship.

=> Hue Imperial City Tour