Nguyen Dynasty had 13 Emperors, but due to economic and political reasons, only 7 tombs were built, all of which are still remaining today with particular architectural styles. Tombs in Hue were built when the Emperor was still in the throne, so this is not a sad place but a charming landscape with delicate carvings, in harmony with nature. Gia Long Tomb - Tomb of dispensation Gia Long Tomb (or Thien Tho Tomb) was built from 1814 to 1820, located between the Thien Tho mountain in Huong Tho commune, Huong Tra district, Thua Thien - Hue province. This is the resting place of Emperor Gia Long (1762 - 1820), the first Emperor of 13 Emperors of the Nguyen Dynasty. Gia Long Tomb has a circumference of more than 11 thousand meters, in front of Dai Thien Tho mountain, each side has 14 mountains flanking to form a left green dragon and right white tiger. The middle part is the king and the Queen Thua Thien Cao tombs. This tomb located down the Perfume river, year-round in cool air. Gia Long tomb is a masterpiece painting of coordination between natural architecture. Minh Mang Tomb - Tomb of Filial Piety Far from Hue city 12km, located on Cam Khe mountain, near Bang Lang fork, Minh Mang tomb (or Hieu tomb) in the last resting place of second Nguyen Emperor Built from 1840 to 1843, the tomb is 26 hectares wide, an overall size of 40 architectural constructions located on the cool hill, river, and lake area. There are 3 doors in front of the tomb, the center is Dai Hong Mon (open only one time when greeting Ming Mang Emperor’s body enter the tomb), 2 sides is Ta Hong Mon and Huu Hong Mon. Inside the Dai Hong Mon, there is a courtyard with two rows of stone statues carved image of lieges, elephants and horses. Thieu Tri Tomb - Tomb of Goodness Thieu Tri tomb is leaning on Thuan Dao mountain, Cu Chanh village, Thuy Bang commune, Huong Thuy district, far from Hue city about 8km. This is the tomb with the shortest construction time (completed in 10 months). The tomb does not have La citadel covered (the protective wall around the tomb). After Emperor Thieu Tri’s death, his succession son – Emperor Tu Duc chose land to build the tomb. The architecture of Thieu Tri tomb (or Xuong tomb) is a combination and selection of architecture patterns of Gia Long and Minh Mang tombs in tranquil scenery of the countryside with fields, rice paddies and orchards around. Tu Duc Tomb - Tomb of Modesty Located in a narrow valley of Thuong Ba village, Thuy Xuan commune, Hue city, Tu Duc tomb (or Khiem tomb) was built from 1864 to 1867 on an area of 475 hectares. Almost 50 constructions in the tomb have the letter are in the name “Khiem”. It has elements of broad, soft contours reflecting the romantic soul of this poetic Emperor. Besides the aim is the burial place of his death, it is also his resting place, reading, poetry, etc. Therefore, the landscape of tomb is like a large park with poetic lake, green pine. Especially, on the left of Luong Khiem sanctum, there also has Minh Khiem theater, is considered as one of the oldest theater in Vietnam reserved. Duc Duc Tomb - Tomb of Tranquility Duc Duc tomb (or An tomb) located in An Cuu ward, Hue city. It was built in 1889 and is the burial place of Emperor Duc Duc, Emperor Thanh Thai and Emperor Duy Tan. Compared to other tombs of Nguyen emperors, Duc Duc tomb has simple and modest architecture. The tomb has a rectangular area of 3.445 square meters. There is no Bi Dinh inside the Tomb like others Emperors’ Tombs. The Tomb is in front of Phuoc Qua Hill, the Tam Thai mountain is behind and the stream flowed around in front to make the waterway. Dong Khanh Tomb - Tomb of Modesty Dong Khanh tomb (or Tu tomb) is the burial place of Emperor Dong Khanh, in Thuong Hai village, Thuy Xuan commune, Hue city, located between Thieu Tri and Tu Duc tombs. The Tomb was built over the reign of 4 Emperors, lasting from 1888 to 1923, which is a combination between traditional feudal architecture and Western European architecture. Ngung Hy Palace is considered as the most reserved place of the famous Vietnamese lacquer art in harmony with the system of multicolored glass doors system. Tomb’s architecture is almost completely Europeanized, from architectural features, decorative motifs to construction palettes, but still in harmony with the rural landscape in the region. Khai Dinh Tomb - Tomb of Obtainment This is the last resting place of king Khai Dinh, the 12th emperor of the Nguyen Dynasty, Khai Dinh tomb (or Ung tomb) located on Chau Chu mountain, Thuy Bang commune, Huong Thuy district, far from Hue city about 10km to the southwestern. This is the only work which has the unique architecture blended of Eastern and Western. Despite its modest size but meticulous and wonderful, so it took a long time as well as more money to complete. Tombs were built in 10 years, from 1920 to 1930. In particular, Khai Dinh tomb is famous for frescoes “Nine Dragon hidden in the cloud” decorated on the ceiling of spaces in the middle of Thien Dinh palace, is considered as the most monumental and valuable one in Vietnam. Source: Hân Hân #$gnal$#