Tu Duc Tomb: poetic, lyrical, graceful and refined
Khiem Cung in Tu Duc tomb

Tu Duc Tomb was built in a historical context which was extremely difficult for both the country and King Tu Duc himself. On reviewing the difficult context of Viet Nam at that time, the large-scale and costly architecture of the Royal tombs, and the words used in names such as Khiem Cung (Modest Palace) and Khiem Lang (Modest Tomb), one can recognize the King’s immanent contradictions that are hardly justifiable.

Tu Duc tomb, with some 50 constructions surrounded by a 1,500 m long wall, was built during 1864-1867.

About Tu Duc Emperor

Emperor Tu Duc was expert at philosophy, Oriental history and particularly literature (he left 4,000 verses and 600 proses) yet failed to successfully rule the country. He was crowned King in the historical period of Vietnam facing the Western developing capitalism.

Having no son to succeed aggravated the situation and made him world-weary. To seclude himself, he ordered the construction of his tomb as a fairyland with poetical features, making it a lifetime recreation ground and a world for his eternal life after death.

Born in 1829, Tu Duc had reigned for over 35 years since 1848, longest among rulers of the Nguyen Dynasty. After the completion of the construction of the Tomb, the King lived for 16 years longer. He died in 1883 when he was 55 years old.

History of the tomb of Tu Duc

When the Court’s geomancers had chosen a good site for the construction in Dong Xuan Thuong Village, the King approved the design for the Tomb in October 1864. A good date for the construction had to be selected carefully, and the construction was started in December that year.

With several palaces and specific manmade landscape, the with poetry and freedom. Perfect harmony is obtained of monuments and nature or nature improved on landscape gardening, a Vietnamese form of art. And, if un-symmetry is also a specific beauty of art, then Tu Duc tomb enjoys it.

It was estimated that the construction of the Tomb would be completed in six years and involve the participation of 3,000 soldiers and building workers, who would take turns taking their leave every three months. However, mandarin Nguyen Van Chat from the Ministry of Public Works asked for the King’s permission to reduce the construction period to only three years.

The Court assigned him and mandarin Le Van Xa from the Ministry of Military Affairs to supervise the construction. The soldiers and building workers were not allowed to take leave. Furthermore, they were forced to work to the maximum of their strength in the minimum working conditions. Consequently, they all followed Doan Trung appeal for an uprising.

Origin name of Tu Duc tomb is Van Nien Co (Thousand Year Palace) – after even Doan Trung, the king sees his mistakes and change Van Nien Co to Khiem Cung Cung (Modest Palace). Khiêm or Khiem in Vietnamese mean ​modest, unpretentious. 

Architect of Tu Duc Tomb

The architecture of Tu Duc tomb reflects the poet-Emperor’s romantic nature, evokes pleasant surprise, creates much literary and art inspiration, makes strong impression on sightseers and arouses in them deep sympathy.

The surrounding wall encloses an area of 12 hectares and within it, nearly 59 architectural structures of different sizes are arranged in groups on complicated terrain which varies as much as 10 meters in height. However, the structures are linked together by winding paths tiled with Bat Trang bricks and a system of steps paved with stone. The architects under King Tu Duc reign took advantage of the natural source of water from a small stream and reshaped the terrain to create the poetic Luu Khiem Lake and Tinh Khiem Isle. Pavilions are built around the lake and the isle and reflect in the clean and clear water.

Every summer, the surface of the lake looks like a piece of brocade, beautified with white and red lotuses in full bloom.

Khiêm Cung – Khiem palace

After going through Khiem Cung Gate, a two-level, triple portal gate built on a rise, one finds oneself in an area of palaces, including scores of buildings of different sizes and dependent structures which were the places where the King and royal maids stayed when they visited the Tomb. Among them, Minh Khiem Hall, which is now considered the oldest theatre in Viet Nam, is almost intact and has high value in the arts of architecture and decoration.

Hoa Khiem Temple, which is dedicated to the King and Queen, still houses many royal utensils and contemporary works of fine arts.

Stele Pavilion of Tu Duc King

The 5,000-word text “Khiem Cung Ky” (The Record of Khiem Palace) was written by Tu Duc Emperor in 1871. The text was engraved on a huge stone stele which weighs 20 tons and is erected in the stele house in 1875.

While the architectural structures in Khiem Cung-the section for temples, palaces, and pavilions for pleasure-are made of wood, those in the section for tombs on the other side of the Tomb are all built of bricks and stone. Most noticeable is a stone stele about five meters tall, the biggest in Viet Nam, kept in a big, solid pavilion with massive columns, walls, and arches built in such a way as to protect the stele from the destruction of time.

 

On a hill situated on the other side of the semicircular Tieu Khiem Tri Lake stands the King’s brick-built tomb area.

TRAVEL GUIDE FOR VISITNG TU DUC TOMB

Dress code

As at other imperial Hue sites, a dress code applies in Tu Duc tomb. Singlets and short shorts are not acceptable. You need to have elegant clothes with cover shoulders, thighs, and upper arms. The suitable customs show respect for the locals, culture, and relics. You can read more the guide for Royal tombs dress code

How to Get There

Tu Duc Tomb occupies a hill in the village of Thuy Xuan, around 7  kilometers west of Hue city. There’s no public transport and it’s not accessible by boat. Rather than cycle or drive, many travelers prefer to join a tour or arrange a private driver-guide.  

When to Get There

Tu Duc Tomb is open from 7:30 am to 17:00 (24/7) and this beauty tomb is busiest on weekends and over the Tet Holiday (lunar new year), holiday celebrations.

Have some stairs in Tu Duc tomb, you should wear comfor shoes. And it is little dificult for visitor use a wheel-chair

What are the nearest attractions to Tu Duc Tomb?

On the way to Tu Duc tomb, you can visit some places en route including: Tu Hieu Pagoda, Thuy Xuan Incense Village, Vong Canh Hills, and Dong Khanh Tomb.

  • Tu Hieu Pagoda: One of the oldest and most beautiful Buddhist temples in Hue, known for its serene environment and intricate architecture.
  • Thuy Xuan Incense Village: A unique cultural destination where visitors can learn about the traditional art of incense making and purchase handcrafted incense sticks.
  • Vong Canh Hills: A picturesque hill offering panoramic views of the Perfume River and surrounding countryside, perfect for photography and leisurely walks.
  • Dong Khanh Tomb: The tomb of Emperor Dong Khanh, featuring a blend of Western and Eastern architecture and a peaceful surrounding garden.

If you prefer private car services and wish to avoid group tours, consider using Huracars for visiting the Royal tombs. This service allows you to also visit Thuy Xuan incense village, Dong Khanh tomb, and Vong Canh hills at your leisure.

Join Hue city tour 1 day and visit Tu Duc tomb

Tu Duc tomb entrance tickets: 

The entrance fee for Tu Duc Tomb is 150,000 VND per person. However, to save money, it is recommended to buy a combo ticket. The combo ticket costs 360,000 VND and provides access to three of the most famous tombs in Hue, including Tu Duc Tomb, Khai Dinh Tomb, and Minh Mang Tomb.

 

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